Winterthur is closed to the public from January 5-February 27. Members can continue to enjoy daily dawn to dusk access to explore the grounds. Join Today »
The word “ledger” calls to mind neat columns of numbers and meticulous recordkeeping. But what happens when a ledger stops being used for its intended purpose? Winterthur Library recently acquired a William Appleton and Company ledger, which gives insights into the global reach of a 19th-century Boston-based merchant shipping company and the life and times of the man whose name was at the top of the company’s masthead. It’s interesting enough as a record, but this volume is also exciting because it illustrates what can happen when a ledger that’s no longer used by the company falls, decades later, into the hands of a child who needed a scrapbook and sketchpad.
William Appleton (1786–1862) was a businessman and politician from Massachusetts, whose business acumen was clear early in life. In 1801 his first foray into business was as a clerk in a store in Temple, N.H., kept by Mr. Artemas Wheeler. Appleton made such a favorable impression on his employer that at the age of 19 he was made a partner.
Between 1807 and the 1820s, Appleton engaged in a variety of business ventures related to his mercantile interests, including the purchase of some of his earliest ships. From 1826 to 1841, he owned a counting house in Boston, Mass. In 1841 he and his son James joined Samuel Hooper to form William Appleton and Company, a merchant shipping firm which engaged in sea trade to ports around the world.
Detail of a page noting expenses on a ship bound for Bengal, India.
Detail of a page noting expenses on a ship bound for Bengal, India.
The Appleton ledger—a large, leather-bound volume detailing transactions between 1836 and 1843—records Appleton’s rise from a small business owner to a titan of Boston commerce. Many of its pages contain balance sheets for company transactions, either with individuals or other companies (for example, an 1838 transaction with the Liverpool Packet Co. in the amount of $54,143.16—the equivalent of almost $2 million in 2024). Some entries record transactions related to shipping logistics, including a payment of $6,560 (over $200,000 in 2024) for insurance on the Eben Preble, a 439-ton Appleton-owned ship bound for China.
Some entries contain balance sheets for domestic and international shipments, including several entries related to shipments made to New Orleans, La., in consignment with Hodge, Oxnard & Co. International destinations with similar entries include Calcutta, Havana, China, and Liverpool.
The last ledger entry in this roughly 200-page volume was made in 1843, with the business records comprising roughly one-third of the pages. Given that William Appleton and Company continued for several years after 1843, it’s unclear why it was abandoned with two-thirds of the book’s pages unused. Whatever happened, the ledger came into use years later by one or more people for an entirely different purpose.
Get outdoors and explore! Wander Winterthur’s 1,000 acres of rolling hills, meadows, woodland paths and trails, and wild garden. Click on either the garden or trail map below to get more information on where you can explore at Winterthur. When you arrive at Winterthur, check in at the Visitor Center.
Winterthur’s 60-acre historic garden has been carefully managed to preserve the unique design created by Henry Francis du Pont and his close friend and landscape architect Marian Coffin. This map highlights the significant garden areas, historic features, and architecture to be found throughout the garden.
Beyond Winterthur’s historic garden is nearly 1,000 acres of preserved woodlands, meadows, and farmscapes for our guests to explore. This map highlights trails, carriageways, natural areas, and farm buildings that we welcome you to discover.
From a curated list of our most picturesque picnic spots to a how-to guide for hiking on the estate, learn more and adventure your way this season at Winterthur!
Top Places to Picnic at Winterthur
With more than 1,000 acres of land, there are so many wonderful places to set up ...
Take a Hike!
Here is a quick list of 5 things to remember when visiting the “wild” areas (meadows ...
Mowing the Meadows
We thought this was a great opportunity to share the story behind our meadows and ...
See highlights of the garden from a seat on the garden tram. Learn the history of Winterthur and see what’s in bloom. This 30-minute narrated tram tour begins at the Visitor Center and ends at the museum with a stop in Enchanted Woods.
Visit the former dairy and farm and enjoy expansive views of the landscape. Hear stories of estate history and learn about repurposed work areas and historic buildings.
Discover the history and stewardship of the Winterthur landscape as you travel to the far corners of the estate to explore aspects of geology and ecology and hear fascinating stories about local history, flora, and fauna.
WINTERTHUR, DE (July 11, 2024) – Spend a summer day or an entire weekend exploring Winterthur while shopping for unique, artisan-made crafts and gifts during the fourth annual Artisan Market, taking place July 19-21.
This year’s market will showcase some of the region’s most talented artisans, offering an array of outstanding wares. These include antiques and collectibles, furniture and home décor, architectural salvage, high-quality handmade crafts, vintage clothing and jewelry, artisanal and small-batch gourmet goods, original art in various media, garden items, and more.
“Artisan Market has become a popular and lively event,” said Chris Strand, the Charles F. Montgomery Director and CEO at Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library. “It’s not only a wonderful way to spend a day, but it also supports our mission to educate audiences about American material culture, art, and design. Many of the artisans create high-quality crafts related to art, textiles, ceramics, glass, woodworking, antiques, and gardening. Each of these categories connects to Winterthur’s past.”
Drone footage of a portion of the 2023 Artisan Market at Winterthur as captured by Stephen Ciskanik.
Details about the event and a list of the more than 100 artists, musicians, and food vendors can be found at Winterthur.org.
Please note that all guests are required to purchase an event ticket in advance. This is a rain-or-shine event.
Purchase tickets online here or by calling 800.448.3883.
Many of the artisans have received widespread acclaim:
The vendors will be in several locations throughout the estate. Visitors can walk the garden paths and enjoy the beauty of the summer blooms and lush greenery while shopping.
With your Artisan Market ticket:
visit over 100 local artisans on-site;
enjoy live music at various locations;
sample culinary offerings;
experience the Self-Paced House Tour (on a first-come, first-served basis as capacity is limited).
ABOUT WINTERTHUR MUSEUM, GARDEN & LIBRARY
Winterthur—known worldwide for its preeminent collection of American decorative arts, naturalistic garden, and research library for the study of American art and material culture— offers a variety of tours, exhibitions, programs, and activities throughout the year.
Winterthur is located on Route 52, six miles northwest of Wilmington, Delaware, and five miles south of U.S. Route 1. Winterthur is committed to accessible programming for all. For information, including special services, call 800.448.3883 or visit winterthur.org.
One of the nation’s most highly acclaimed antiques shows presents a spectacular showcase of art, antiques, and design! Featuring the finest offerings from more than sixty distinguished dealers, the Delaware Antiques Show highlights the best of American antiques and decorative arts. Join us for a full schedule of exciting show features sure to captivate the sophisticated and new collector alike.
Opening Night Party
Thursday, November 6 | 6:00–9:00 pm
Please join us for the opening of the show with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and exclusive early shopping! Opening Night Party ticket valid for admission to all days of the show and to Winterthur during the show dates. All lectures are included with show admission.
Sponsor: $250 per person, early admission at 5:00 pm Patron: $175 per person Young Collector: $150 per person
$25 per person; $20 Winterthur Members. Children under 12 free. Ticket valid for admission to all days of the show and to Winterthur during the show dates.All lectures are included with show admission.
The Chase Center on the Riverfront is located at 815 Justison Street, Wilmington, Delaware, less than one hour south of Philadelphia, and midway between New York City and Washington, D.C.
Ample free parking. Accessible parking for persons with disabilities.
Chipstone Lectures
Friday, November 7 | 9:00–10:15 am
The Chipstone Lectures feature authors of articles in Ceramics in America 2024 and American Furniture 2024. Published annually since 2001 and 1993 respectively, these award-winning journals have been considered the journals of record for their fields and further the Chipstone Foundation’s mission to promote appreciation and understanding of American material culture. Ceramics in America 2024 is edited by Ronald W. Fuchs II and Robert Hunter and American Furniture 2024 is edited by Martha H. Willoughby. After the lectures, the speakers will be on hand to sign copies of the 2024 journals.
The ‘capricious, unprincipled, and ingenious’ William King, Furniture Maker of Salem, Massachusetts
By Brock Jobe, Professor Emeritus of American Decorative Arts
In January 1925, a New York antiques dealer sold a serpentine chest of drawers bearing a tiny, printed label, which read: “Made and Sold by W. KING, Salem.” The documentation prompted collectors to attribute dozens of pieces to this little-known craftsman. Now, a century later, recent research has proven the attributions to be spurious. Join Brock Jobe as he explores King’s colorful career and reveals what he actually made.
About the Speaker
In 2000 Brock Jobe was appointed professor of American decorative arts in the Winterthur Program in American Material Culture after a 28-year career as a museum curator and administrator at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Colonial Williamsburg, the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities (now Historic New England), and Winterthur. He has authored or edited seven books and written dozens of articles. Brock retired from his professorship in June 2015 but retains an office at Winterthur and continues to study, write, and lecture about American furniture. He presently serves as President of the Decorative Arts Trust and remains a dedicated volunteer at Winterthur.
La Peinture: The Rediscovery of George and Martha Washington’s Presidential Biscuit Porcelain Figures and Their Incredible Provenance
By Adam Erby, Executive Director of Historic Preservation and the Martha Washington Chief Curator, George Washington’s Mount Vernon
Adam Erby will explore the fascinating story of the discovery of a bisque porcelain figure that once belonged to George Washington and subsequently descended in an African American family— which expands our understanding of George Washington’s Presidential table and the close connection between the Custis and Costin families.
About the Speaker
Adam Erby is the executive director of Historic Preservation and the Martha Washington Chief Curator at George Washington’s Mount Vernon. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia and the Winterthur Program in American Material Culture at the University of Delaware, and has worked at Mount Vernon since 2012 and has led a range of important projects, including the restoration of several rooms in the mansion and the curation of major exhibitions including Mount Vernon: The Story of an American Icon and Lives Bound Together, Slavery at Mount Vernon.
A prolific lecturer and author, Adam is one of just a handful of authors who has written for both American Furniture and Ceramics in America. His articles include “Mostly new, and very elegant”: The Several Lives of George William and Sally Fairfaxes’ London-Made Furniture” published in American Furniture in 2019 and “He in Glory, America in Tears”: Jacob Perkins, Washington Funeral Medal, and Liverpool Jugs” in 2022 in Ceramics in America.
Photos by David Patterson
Keynote Lecture
Saturday, November 8 | 10:00—11:15 am
Designing with Soul: How Legacy, Nature, and Antiques Shape Interiors
By Nadia Watts, Nadia Watts Interior Design
Drawing on memories of growing up surrounded by art, craftsmanship, and innovation in design, interior designer Nadia Watts will share a personal account of how her family heritage—rooted in the artistry of her great-great-grandfather Louis C. Tiffany—has profoundly influenced her creative vision. She will explore how legacy, a reverence for nature, and the thoughtful integration of antiques inspire her timeless interiors today. With over two decades of experience, Nadia will offer insights into blending history, personal narrative, and contemporary living to create spaces with depth and soul.
About the Speaker
With over two decades of experience, Nadia Watts is celebrated for creating timeless, artful interiors that reflect her clients’ personalities and passions. Since founding her Denver-based firm in 2009, she has delivered exceptional design solutions nationwide, earning a reputation for beautifully layered spaces that balance function, history, and artistry.
Her portfolio includes custom residences, historic renovations, professional offices, and interiors featuring internationally recognized art and furniture collections. Nadia’s collaborative approach and attention to detail have cultivated a loyal clientele and widespread recognition.
Her career began with Elaine Stephenson Interiors in Virginia and included roles at The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s American Decorative Arts Department and Douglas Associates in Denver—experiences that deepened her appreciation for craftsmanship and historical context.
Nadia Watts Interior Design offers full-service design, project management, furnishing selection, historical restoration, and virtual consultations. She assembles expert teams tailored to each project, collaborating with architects, contractors, and artisans to deliver thoughtful, high-quality results.
Her work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Galerie Magazine, Architectural Digest, Luxe Interiors + Design, Elle Decor, House Beautiful, and more. Honors include the Robert & Judi Newman Award for Excellence in Classical and Traditional Design, Luxe Gold List, and 5280 Home Top Denver Design. In 2024, she participated in the Kips Bay Palm Beach and Denver Designer Show Houses.
Nadia holds degrees from Hollins University and the New York School of Interior Design and serves on several boards, including The Neustadt Collection of Tiffany Glass and the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art.
Afternoon Lecture & Book Signing
Saturday, November 8 | 2:00—3:00 pm
Not Your Grandma’s China: A Contemporary Look at Historic Ceramic Patterns
By Wendy Kvalheim, CEO and Design Director of Mottahedeh
Mottahedeh has a long history of creating fine china, often inspired by historical patterns and designs. Wendy Kvalheim’s role as CEO and Design Director involves carrying on this legacy while also introducing contemporary elements and embracing a more contemporary and versatile approach to tableware. Wendy will look back at the founding of the company, highlighting an extraordinary range of pieces and patterns, and the ongoing partnerships with America’s most venerated historic properties.
Book signing to follow lecture.
About the Speaker
Wendy Kvalheim has served as president and design director of Mottahedeh for more than thirty years, continuing the legacy of the company founded a century ago by Mildred and Rafi Mottahedeh. Known for its museum-quality reproductions and collaborations with storied institutions like Colonial Williamsburg, Mount Vernon, and Winterthur, Mottahedeh remains the premier name in ceramic reproductions.
Wendy’s artistic journey began at Mt. Holyoke College, where she studied education and psychology before earning a BFA in sculpture from Pratt Institute. Her training in art history, design, ceramics, and printmaking informs many of the patterns and designs in the Mottahedeh collection.
Her leadership and creative vision have helped preserve Mottahedeh’s rich heritage while continuing to evolve its design legacy for new generations.
She and her husband Grant have traveled to over seventy-five countries, drawing inspiration from global cultures and traditions. Wendy is also a passionate cook, known for her legendary cookies—some of which are featured in her new book, Splendid Settings: 100 Years of Mottahedeh Design), published by Pointed Leaf Press (2024).
Americana Insights Lectures
Saturday, November 8 | 4:00—5:00 pm
Americana Insights 2025 is the third volume in an annual series that presents the latest research and discoveries on traditional Americana, folk art, and material culture. Today’s speakers are featured in the third annual edition, in addition to the following: Johanna Brown, R. Erich Hess, Karl Pass, Candace Perry, Jeffrey Pressman, Jean Renshaw, Justin Thomas, Adam Zayas. Edited by Lisa Minardi. October 2025.
Book signing to follow lectures.
From Hubener to Medinger: Redware Potters of Southeastern Pennsylvania
By Lisa Minardi, Editor, Americana Insights and Executive Director, Historic Trappe
About the Lecture
Lisa Minardi will delve into the work of Georg Hubener and Jacob Medinger, among the first and last of the traditional Pennsylvania German potters, in conjunction with her essays on their work in Americana Insights 2025. She will also give an overview of the companion exhibition From Hubener to Medinger: Redware Potters of Southeastern Pennsylvania, on view at Historic Trappe from November 8, 2025, to March 29, 2026.
Black, White, and Green All Over: The Potter Once Known as Solomon Grim
By Christopher Malone, Curator, Historic Trappe
About the Lecture
Christopher Malone will reveal groundbreaking new evidence about redware pottery formerly attributed to Solomon Grim of Berks County, Pennsylvania. Through linguistic examination and a careful study of the pottery’s provenance, this vibrant work now finds a new place in history.
‘God Bless You All in Food and Drink’: Sgraffito Teaware in Pennsylvania
By Laini Farrare, University of Delaware
About the Lecture
Join Ph.D. student scholar Laini Farrare as she explores a small group of remarkable graffito-decorated redware from the Winterthur collection that blends Germanic decoration with Anglo-American ceramic traditions. Farrare reveals how these highly decorated objects challenge assumptions about cultural identity in eighteenth-century southeastern Pennsylvania, uncovering the region’s fluid and hybrid design vocabularies across ethnic, linguistic, and racial lines.
Student Scholars Lectures
Student Scholars lectures sponsored by The Decorative Arts Trust.
Sunday, November 9 | 2:00–3:30 pm
An American Story: Interpreting Regionality in an East Tennessee Desk
By Eleanor Shippen, Lois F. McNeil Fellow Winterthur Program in American Material Culture
About the Lecture
By 1796, migration along the Great Wagon Road had introduced sizable numbers of craftspeople trained in Pennsylvania, Virginia, North and South Carolina, Maryland, and Kentucky to the new state of Tennessee. Shippen examines an Early Republic fall-front desk and discusses how the variety of attributions applied to its origins illuminates the interconnected nature of cabinetmaking traditions in the American South and provides exciting opportunities for future interpretation.
Just Being Theatrical: Elements of the Stage Portrayed on Delftware Tiles
By Ashley Vernon, Lois F. McNeil Fellow Winterthur Program in American Material Culture
About the Lecture
A visual language once connected to the stage is depicted in a Sadler and Green theatrical series delftware tile from the Winterthur collection. Vernon explores its enchanting characteristics and discusses the literary ties between Shakespeare’s works and the transfer-printed design. Drawing from print sources, she shows how this series goes beyond decoration to evoke a visual reminder of the enduring narratives of the theatre.
New to Collecting?
The Delaware Antiques Show welcomes all, from the newest collector to the most knowledgeable connoisseur.
Tips for New Collectors
What’s the difference between a collector and a pack rat? Focus, knowledge, enthusiasm, and ...
2025 Annual Delaware Antiques Show Program
The Best of Americana.
Protect Your Collection
Bring your objects to one of Winterthur's free Conservation Clinics, where faculty and students of ...
2025 Delaware Antiques Show Exhibitors
Antique French Fine Arts
Jayne Thompson Antiques
Arader Galleries
Jeff R. Bridgman Antiques
Aronson of Amsterdam
Jeffrey Tillou Antiques
Avery Galleries
Jonathan Trace
Barbara Israel Garden Antiques
Kelly Kinzle
Betty Krulik Fine Art
Levy Galleries
A Bird in Hand Antiques
Lillian Nassau, LLC
Brian Cullity American Antiques
Marcy Burns American Indian Arts, LLC
Christopher H. Jones American Antiques
Martyn Edgell Antiques, Ltd.
Dan and Karen Olson Antiques
Nathan Liverant and Son, LLC
David Brooker Fine Art
The Norwoods’ Spirit of America
David A. Schorsch—Eileen M. Smiles
Olde Hope
Diana H. Bittel
Oliver Garland
Dixon-Hall Fine Art
The Parker Gallery
D. M. DeLaurentis Fine Antique Prints
Peter Pap Rugs
Dolan/Maxwell
Ralph M. Chait Galleries, Inc.
Earle D. Vandekar of Knightsbridge, Inc.
Roger Winter Antiques
Elle Shushan
R. M. Worth Antiques
Elliott & Grace Snyder
Schillay Fine Art, Inc.
Francis J. Purcell, Inc.
Schoonover Studios, Ltd.
Glen Leroux
Schwarz Gallery
G. Sergeant Antiques
Scott Bassoff, Sandy Jacobs Antiques
The Hanebergs Antiques
Sheridan Loyd American Antiques
Hilary & Paulette Nolan
Silver Art by D & R
HL Chalfant American Fine Art & Antiques
S. J. Shrubsole Antique Silver and Jewelry
Hollis Brodrick
Somerville Manning Gallery
Ita J. Howe
Spencer Marks
James L. Price Antiques
Thistlethwaite Americana
James M. Kilvington, Inc.
Walker Decorative Arts
James Robinson, Inc.
William Cook Antiques
Janice Paull
William R. & Teresa F. Kurau
Thank You for Your Support!
Proceeds from this year’s Delaware Antiques Show help support key educational initiatives such as free school programs and Discover Winterthur, our free day for the community. Support for these important programs allows us to share the wonder of Winterthur with thousands of schoolchildren and our surrounding community.
NewHoliday Nights starting Friday, November 28| Fridays & Saturdays, open until 8:00 pm. Excludes November 29 and December 26.
Step into a storybook setting, where holiday magic, rich history, and beloved literature come to life. The Yuletide Tour features artful displays and beautifully adorned trees throughout the historic home, celebrating timeless tales such as A Christmas Carol,Alice in Wonderland,A Visit from St. Nicholas, and more. Whimsical treasures like a grand gingerbread replica of the train station, a magical dollhouse, and a toy train display add to the fun. Plus, join us for evening hours on select Fridays and Saturdays for candlelit tours, live music, cozy firepits, workshops, specialty cocktails, and seasonal fare in the café.
Included with admission. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Early closure on Christmas Eve. Open New Year’s Day.See hours.
Purchase tickets online or call 800.448.3883.Advance reservations strongly recommended.
Special programs throughout the season include evening events that feature live jazz performances, caroling, and workshops. Visitors can also enjoy a live one-man performance of A Christmas Carol by Gerald Charles Dickens, a great-great-grandson of Charles Dickens, wine and cocktail tastings, and Brunch with Santa.
Winterthur sparkles with holiday cheer! Marvel at the dazzling outdoor lights and festive displays throughout the estate. Delight in a giant gingerbread display, and a charming three-story dollhouse filled with thousands of miniatures. Enjoy a toy train display featuring standard gauge trains. Make your visit a magical experience your family will remember for years to come. All activities included with admission unless otherwise noted.
Yuletide Tour
Tuesday–Sunday
Curl up with the classics at Winterthur this Yuletide season as timeless tales come to life throughout the historic home. Artful displays celebrate beloved works, including A Christmas Carol, Alice in Wonderland, Moby Dick, and A Visit from St. Nicholas. Each installation uniquely connects these stories to Winterthur through displays of rarely seen collection objects and tributes to the estate’s rich history. Celebrate the season in this storybook setting where literature, history, and holiday magic meet. Learn more.
Holiday Nights
Starting November 28 | Fridays & Saturdays, open until 8:00 pm
Soak in the evening glow of the house decked in its holiday glory or toast marshmallows by the outdoor fire pits. Tap your toes to the sounds of the area’s best musicians, savor a seasonal cocktail, and see our magical gingerbread and doll houses. Excludes November 29 and December 26.
The du Pont children loved Christmas and the toys they received each year. A popular toy of their era was a standard gauge toy train. Join us to enjoy a festive Toy Train Display, on view in the Brown Horticulture Learning Center, courtesy of the Standard Gauge Module Association.
Tuesday–Sunday, 10:00 am–5:00 pm| Holiday Nights, until 8:00 pm
Since 1900, Winterthur has had its own post office! Today, the office is located behind the Museum Store and can be used by anyone.
Make a card and leave it in the mail bin for Winterthur’s Post Mistress to send it! Activity located in the Galleries.
More Magic Awaits
From a carefully curated playlist full of Yuletide cheer to a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of our signature Dried-Flower Tree, there’s even more to explore this season at Winterthur.
More magic awaits @WinterthurMuse! Follow along on Facebook and Instagram.
Yuletide Playlist
An instrumental playlist for your holiday needs.
A Yuletide Floral Tradition
Colorful flowers have always been a vital part of Winterthur, both inside and out. Throughout ...
The Legacy of Hosting at Winterthur
It’s impossible to talk about Winterthur Museum, Garden, & Library without mentioning Henry Francis du ...
Join us for exploration, adventure, and play! Enjoy kid-friendly activities, wander the garden, and learn about history while having fun. All activities included with admission unless otherwise noted; free for children under 2. Members free.
Explore Enchanted Woods
Faerie Cottage
Photo by Rob Cardillo
Story Time in Enchanted Woods
Photo by Suchat Pederson
Bird’s Nest
Photo by Bob Leitch
Fairy Ring
Gathering Green
Photo by Bob Leitch
Frog Hollow
Photo by Rob Cardillo
Tulip Tree House
Photo by Rob Cardillo
Water’s Edge
Photo by Suchat Pederson
Discover the magic of a fairy-tale garden with a visit to Enchanted Woods. Designed to look as though it were created by fairies, this three-acre plot covered by majestic oak trees has several play areas to climb in, on, and over, including a Faerie Cottage with a thatched roof, a giant Bird’s Nest, and an Acorn Tearoom for make-believe tea parties. Enchanted Woods encourages children and their families to engage in imaginative play and creativity.
Don’t miss these special child-friendly activities. Included with admission. Members free.
Adventure Packs
Tuesday–Sunday, 10:00 am–5:00 pm
Borrow a backpack filled with a guide, stories, and objects for exploring the galleries (pick up at the Galleries reception desk) and garden (pick up at the Visitor Center).
Touch-It Room
Saturdays, 10:30 am–3:30 pm Discover our interactive kids’ space, handle objects from the past, and pretend like you’re living long ago.
Hands-On History Cart
Saturdays, 1:00–3:00 pm
Meet our curators and conservators in training. Hear what their work is revealing. New topic each week.
More Adventure Awaits!
Join us for fun in every season. A Winterthur membership offers unlimited free general admission, garden tram tours, Member days and discounts, and daily dawn-to-dusk access to the estate year-round. Learn more or call 800.448.3883.
While Winterthur’s museum and galleries are home to impressive artwork and craftsmanship, the Winterthur estate of nearly 1,000 acres is also a canvas of breathtaking woodlands, meadows, and wetlands.
We know many of you share our passion for this magnificent Delaware treasure. Our Members often savor (and photograph) serene walks past our meadows brimming with tall grasses, wildflowers, and a dazzling array of dragonflies, butterflies, and birds.
One Member was recently concerned upon seeing that some of these meadows had been mowed. They reached out to question whether this mowing might have disrupted the habitat that so many creatures call home.
We thought this was a great opportunity to share the story behind our meadows and why mowing them is an essential part of their care.
Fields were recently mowed in the East Barn Meadow at Winterthur.
Why Do We Mow Our Meadows?
Our meadows are not just picturesque—they are vital habitats for many species. Mowing is a key part of maintaining their health. It helps control the spread of weedy and invasive plants that can overshadow the native flora, which is crucial for the well-being of our pollinators and wildlife.
Our dedicated Natural Lands team carefully schedules mowing to minimize any impact on ground-nesting birds, pollinators, and other wildlife. For example, cutting plants like milkweed at specific times benefits monarch butterflies, as the regrowth provides an ideal environment for them to lay eggs as the last generation of monarchs for the season prepare for a long journey to overwinter in Mexico.
The Balance of Nature: Rotational Mowing
To maintain the delicate balance of our ecosystem, we practice rotational mowing. This means we always leave some fields uncut, allowing blooming plants to thrive and ensuring that pollinators have a continuous supply of flowers throughout the growing season.
Curious to learn more?
Check out our recent blog post on how prescribed burning plays a role in our land stewardship. You can also join us for the Director’s Garden Walks, held on the second Saturday of each month, where we’ll dive into unique topics like the intriguing chimney swifts at Farm Hill.
And don’t miss our Garden & Estate Insider walks every Tuesday for a deeper exploration of the estate’s hidden gems.
We cherish the support and engagement from all our visitors and Members. You inspire us to keep these lands flourishing and beautiful for generations to come.
Five areas of forested land at Winterthur were recently inducted into the Old-Growth Forest Network.
Tree species in the five areas include white oak, red oak, American beech, tulip poplar, black gum, redbud, and flowering dogwood. The trees date between 100 and 300 years of age and are in Browns Woods (17 acres), Chandler Farm Woods (53 acres), Old Quarry Woods (44 acres), Duck Pond Woods (46 acres), and Negendank Farm Woods (12 acres). A tulip poplar in Chandler Farm Woods has been designated as a Penn Tree. Found in Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the Eastern Shore of Maryland, these trees were living when William Penn first visited Pennsylvania in 1682.
The forests at Winterthur are the homelands of the Lenape peoples who inhabited the region centuries before European settlers arrived. The du Pont family moved to Winterthur in 1839, and over four generations they left the woodlands largely untouched.
Winterthur is the fourth old-growth designation in Delaware and the second in New Castle County, joining more than 240 other forests in the national network of protected old-growth areas open to the public.
The Old-Growth Forest Network (OGFN) connects people with nature by creating a national network of protected, mature, publicly accessible, native forests. Founded in 2012, OGFN recognizes exceptional forest advocates, educates about the ecological benefits of old-growth forests, and speaks out regarding immediate threats to specific ancient forests.
There are 10 miles of roads and 25 miles of paths and walking trails on the estate, many of which pass through woodlands, so try to find time to visit Winterthur and its trees this summer.
WINTERTHUR, DE (June 11, 2024) – Storytellers, musicians, and dancers will help visitors celebrate Juneteenth at Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library on Saturday, June 15, 11:00 am–3:00 pm.
Most activities are included with admission and are free for members.
The Wilmington Ballet and the Whitney Project will fill Winterthur’s Enchanted Woods and Copeland Lecture Hall with performances enriched by and deeply rooted in African American arts and culture.
The day will also include a World Marketplace in Enchanted Woods featuring A Flicker of Daisy, Created by LA, CreationsbyT, and Soleil Dancewear.
The festivities begin at 11:00 am with a “Celebration of Black Joy” performance in Copeland.
The World Marketplace will be open 11:00 am–3:00 pm in Enchanted Woods, with:
African dance demonstrations, 11:30 am and 12:15 pm.
Lift Every Voice at 12:45 pm.
Drum circle at 12:50 pm.
Storytelling at 1:15 pm.
Community dance jam at 2:00 pm.
On June 15, 2024, the Wilmington Ballet and the Whitney Project will fill Winterthur’s Enchanted Woods (pictured here) and Copeland Lecture Hall with performances enriched by and deeply rooted in African American arts and culture.
ABOUT WINTERTHUR MUSEUM, GARDEN & LIBRARY
Winterthur—known worldwide for its preeminent collection of American decorative arts, naturalistic garden, and research library for the study of American art and material culture— offers a variety of tours, exhibitions, programs, and activities throughout the year.
Winterthur is located on Route 52, six miles northwest of Wilmington, Delaware, and five miles south of U.S. Route 1. Winterthur is committed to accessible programming for all. For information, including special services, call 800.448.3883 or visit winterthur.org.
Winterthur recently received a grant to preserve its historic Old Gatehouse. Located on Kennett Pike, south of the main entrance, the building is one of the more prominent and recognizable parts of the estate.
The gatehouse stands by the drive that was the main entrance onto the estate from 1839 to 1961. Ruth du Pont Lord, a daughter of Winterthur founder Henry Francis du Pont, wrote: “Driving from the railroad station, we would soon reach real country on the other side of the Gatehouse—owl country, fox country—and would speed down the winding mile-long driveway through the enormous woods and up the hill to the house.”
Designed in 1902 by Robeson Lea Perot, a Philadelphia-based architect, the two-story colonial/neoclassical revival building was also the residence for the gatekeeper and his family. Today, the building serves as offices for some of Winterthur’s development staff.
Winterthur requested and received $125,000 for the project and is contributing a matching $125,000. The award was part of $25.7 million in Save America’s Treasures grants from the National Park Service, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Institute for Museum and Library Services. The funding supports 58 projects in 26 states, the Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia. Save America’s Treasures requires applicants to match the grant money dollar-for-dollar with nonfederal funding.
The project includes restoring the gatehouse’s iron railing and gate; conserving the historic shutters; painting the exterior of the gatehouse, and more. All work will be completed by the summer of 2025.
At its peak, the Winterthur estate had 12 temperature-controlled greenhouses, a 23-acre orchard, a 5.5-acre vegetable garden, and a 4-acre cutting garden. It also had a butcher shop, sawmill, tannery, post office, train station, and a dairy barn where du Pont bred and raised award-winning Holstein cattle. Ninety-nine cottages housed 250 members of Winterthur’s staff and their families.
Restoring the Old Gatehouse honors its historic heritage and will ensure its stately beauty for years to come, and we are grateful for this grant, which has made it possible.
