A Lasting Legacy:
Sixty Years of Winterthur Graduate Programs

On view May 25, 2012–January 6, 2013

The WPEAC classes of 1970 and 1971 visiting MESDA's Criss Cross Hall in 1970. Courtesy of the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts, photo by Frances Griffin.

Objects conservator Bruno Pouliot with Caroline Roberts, Rose Cull, and LeeAnn Barnes Gordon (all WUDPAC '11)

Heather Hansen (WPAMC '10) tries her hand at turning on the lathe during a class visit to Colonial Williamsburg.

Commemorating the nation’s most successful university-museum partnership, A Lasting Legacy explores the changing roles of conservation and curatorial scholarship over the past 60 years.

For nearly six decades, the University of Delaware and Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library have guided two groundbreaking graduate programs—the Winterthur Program in American Material Culture (begun in 1952 as the Winterthur Program in Early American Culture) and the Winterthur-University of Delaware Program in Art Conservation (begun in 1974). Arguably, no academic programs have had a greater impact on American museums over the last half century. Winterthur-educated museum directors, curators, and professors have transformed institutions, developed landmark exhibitions, and redefined the public’s understanding of American decorative arts and material culture. Winterthur-trained conservators have treated some of the nation’s most famous objects, from the Star-Spangled Banner and Declaration of Independence to the original C-3PO costume and a space suit from Apollo 11.

A Lasting Legacy will highlight the accomplishments of the two programs through a short film and case studies that reveal the extraordinary range and reach of the students during their graduate experience, their many contributions throughout their careers, and the global impact of the programs. Through this exhibition, visitors will get to explore the work of some of the remarkable people responsible for preserving our cultural heritage and for guiding institutions that share our arts, history, and culture.

Please consider supporting this exhibition. We are grateful for your contributions.

Major funding provided by the University of Delaware Office of Graduate and Professional Education, the American Decorative Arts Forum of Northern California, and the Washington Decorative Arts Forum.

Exhibition will be located in the East Gallery, second floor of the Galleries. All exhibitions are included with admission and are free to Winterthur Members.

Image at top of page: Textiles conservator Joy Gardiner (WUDPAC ’88) assisted by Anne Getts (WUDPAC ’12)