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Planned Giving

Through a planned gift, you will align your legacy with Winterthur—an institution originally established through the legacy commitment of H. F. du Pont. Planned gifts support Winterthur’s sustainable future while helping you meet your estate-planning goals. Including Winterthur in your plans ensures that the irreplaceable treasures found here—in the galleries, gardens, and library—will endure for generations to come.

Crafting Your Legacy Plan at Winterthur

Beneficiary and Trust Gifts

Planned gifts commonly include naming Winterthur as a beneficiary in your will or trust. You may choose to support Winterthur’s general operations or name an area of special interest. Bequests of any amount may be adjusted at your discretion.

When drafting or amending your existing will or trust, you may arrange for Winterthur to receive: 

  • A specific dollar amount 
  • Assets, including securities or mutual funds 
  • A residuary bequest—a portion of what remains after other beneficiaries are provided for

Retirement Plan Gifts 

Winterthur may be named as a beneficiary of your retirement accounts, which can also be beneficial to your estate for tax purposes. 

We always encourage donors to consult with your estate planning and financial teams to identify the giving solution that is best for you.

Please include: 

Legal Name: The Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum, Inc.

Tax ID (EIN) Number: 51-0066038

Address: 5105 Kennett Pike, Winterthur, DE 19735

Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)

Donors aged 70½ or older may make a gift to Winterthur directly from your IRA (up to a maximum of $108,000) without incurring income taxes on the distribution. This type of gift is considered a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) and can be a giving method that supports Winterthur’s mission while also providing tax benefits.

We always encourage donors to consult with your financial advisors to review your specific taxable situation.

Confirmation of Your Legacy Gift

If you choose to align your legacy with Winterthur, we ask that you please complete a Confirmation of your Legacy Gift form. This form serves to inform Winterthur of your generous intentions and ensures that your gift’s intentions are honored and upheld. 

Bequest Designation: Sample Language

You may refer to the language below as an example of how you may phrase a bequest in your will or trust: 

Sample Language for Bequest

I give [dollar, percentage, or asset list] to The Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum, Inc., Tax ID # 51-0066038, a nonprofit organization located at 5105 Kennett Pike, Winterthur, DE 19735, for its general use and purpose/ other purpose.

Sample Language for Residuary Bequest

I give to The Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum, Inc.(Tax ID # 51-0066038), a nonprofit organization located at 5105 Kennett Pike, Winterthur, DE 19735, the remainder of my estate/ ____ % of the remainder of my estate for its general use and purpose/ other purpose.

Port Royal Society 

The Port Royal Society recognizes donors who have aligned their legacies to the mission and vision of Winterthur through a planned gift commitment. Port Royal Society members enjoy private events, behind-the-scenes access, and boutique programming designed to cultivate community and pique curiosity. Learn more about the Society’s benefits, events, and recognition opportunities.

For more information, please contact the Development Office at 302.888.4707 or plannedgiving@winterthur.org. 

 

Share Your Plans with Winterthur

Are you planning to include Winterthur in your estate plans, or would you like to discuss giving in more detail? Please complete the fields below to arrange a conversation with a member of our Development team.

A Mi’kmaq Quillwork Chair

By Tyler Horne, tour program assistant

In honor of Indigenous Peoples Month, Winterthur is highlighting a remarkable side chair that tells a story of artistry, adaptation, and cultural exchange. The chair was made by Mi’kmaq artists in what is now Nova Scotia or northern Maine, sometime between 1850 and 1900. It features a seat and back covered in dyed porcupine quills that were carefully punched through birch bark to form bright geometric patterns. These kinds of quilled objects were often created for the tourist market, which means the chair also reflects how Indigenous makers navigated new economic realities during a time of colonial expansion.

Mi’kmaq (probable maker), side chair, Nova Scotia, Canada, 1860–1910. Wood, textile, metal, porcupine quill, and quillwork. Museum purchase with funds provided by Winterthur Founder’s Circle 2025.0014

Quillwork boxes in the collection are already a visitor favorite. People are drawn to their color, texture, and the way the artisans turned natural materials into art with real presence. This new chair joins those five boxes but stands apart as the only piece of furniture decorated with quillwork at Winterthur.

Quillwork is one of the oldest Indigenous art forms in northeastern North America and has long been practiced and passed down, primarily by women. While Mi’kmaq women made quilled souvenirs for Canadian and American markets in the 19th and early 20th centuries, chairs like this were never produced in large numbers, which makes this one particularly rare.

There is still much we don’t know about the specific makers of the chair and the quillwork itself. Even so, the piece offers a powerful window into how Indigenous artists have shaped American material culture. It reminds us that Indigenous communities did not simply endure colonial pressure. They adapted and created work that continues to inspire admiration today.

2025 Yuletide Gift Guide

‘Tis the season of giving, and we believe that gifts should feel as timeless as the moments they celebrate. We’ve gathered a selection of treasures that invite joy, wonder, and a touch of elegance into every home. Whether it’s a delicate accessory, a thoughtful keepsake, or a playful surprise for the little ones, each piece is chosen with care to inspire and delight. Let the art of giving unfold in the simplest, most meaningful way this holiday season.

Visit the Museum Store Tuesday–Sunday, 10:00 am–5:00 pm, with extended evening hours during Holiday Nights.

Gifts for the Nature Lover

Cultivate joy with good-natured gifts for the green thumb in your life. Whether they’re an avid gardener, bird-watching aficionado, or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of the outdoors, these items promise practicality while adding a touch of whimsy to any endeavor.

1. Faux Sedum Berry Branch, $13 2. Book Ornament, $6 3. Embroidered Chambray Tree Ornament, $8 4. Glitter Glass Mushroom Ornament, $5 5. Handheld Bulb Planter, $33 6. The Seasonal Gardener: Creative Planting Combinations by Anna Pavord, $49.95 7. My Garden Botanical Plaster Relief, $150 8. The Garden Book by Phaidon Editors, $59.95 9. Jacquard & Velvet Mushroom Clip Ornament, $8 10. Seed Collecting Kit, &32 11. Everyday Garden Gloves, $33 12. Jardinère 2026 Desk Calendar, $20 13. Floral Ceramic Travel Mug, $28 14. Large Gathering Basket, $95 15. Driftwood Bee Skep Ornament, $20 16. Handheld Cultivator, $24 17. Glass Beaded Cotton Ornament, $8 18. Cotton & Velvet Embroidered Tree Ornament, $8

Gifts for the Design Enthusiast

Transform any space into a sanctuary of style with our collection of decorative accents and luxurious home essentials. From statement-making artisanal pieces to cozy blankets, we have everything the design enthusiast needs to elevate their home. Our carefully curated selection of books offers inspiration and expert advice for every decorator.

1. Hand-poured Beeswax Partridge Candle in Terracotta $39 2. Book of Herbs Green Check Enameled Tray $30 3. Hand Carved Wood Heart $6 4. Hand Carved Mango Wood Finial $28 5. Horse Head Bookends, Set of 2 $100 6. Handmade Green Resin Bobbin Box $40 7. Faux Bone Magnifying Glass $34 8. Interiors for Collectors by John Phifer Marrs $50 9. The Well Loved House by Ashley Whittaker $50 10. Woven Wool Blend Plaid Pillow $35 11. Madison 100% Baby Alpaca Wool Throw $362 12. Paperweight Magnifying Glass $16 13. A Christmas Carol Journal $18 14. Hand Painted Stoneware Mug $10 15. Marbled Enameled Tray $20 16. Brass Candle Snuffer, Part of 3pc CandleCare Set $57 17. Rattan Tray, Nesting Set of 2 $180

Gifts for the Host

Elevate every occasion with our distinctive selection of barware and entertaining essentials. From exquisite crystal and porcelain drinkware to stylish bar cart necessities, these beautifully crafted pieces are perfect for the aspiring mixologist. Whether they’re hosting intimate gatherings or grand festive soirées, these personal touches will delight the host and their guests alike! 

1. Bunny Handmade Crystal Champagne Flute $295 2. Imperial Blue Porcelain Teacup & Saucer $206 3. Lillian Handmade Crystal Champagne Flute $70 4. Corinne Handmade Crystal Double Old Fashioned Tumbler $55 5. Venetia Handmade Crystal Martini Glass $210 6. Pewter Grape Cluster Champagne Bucket $600 7. Classic Ships Handmade Crystal Decanter $210 8. Set of 24 Ivory Taper Candles $20 9. Brass Tone Candle Holder, 4 in. $10 10. Brass Tone Candle Holder, 3 in. $8 11. Antler Appetizer Picks Set $32 12. Pewter Salt & Pepper Cellar with Spoons $156 13. Blue Italian Porcelain Tray with Handle $43 14. Pewter Ram Stirrup Cup $98 15. Horse Bottle Stopper $16 16. Amalfi White Tablecloth, 65 in. x 65 in. $125

Gifts for Her

From elegant jewelry to elevated home accents, these carefully curated gifts are designed to delight the woman who appreciates life’s finer details. Find delicate accessories, heirloom-worthy keepsakes, and graceful décor pieces that blend classic charm with modern luxury. 

1. Royal Extract Bath Salt in Petite Decanter, $88 2. Silk Velvet Infinity Scarf in Pine, $85 3. Royal Extract Iconic Body Cream, $92.50 4. Velvet Tassel Pouch, $8 5. Exclusive Winterthur Garden Spout Pearl Drop Brooch/Pendant Necklace, $198 6. Solitaire Sculpted Bronze & Pearl Ring, $450 7. Sculpted Bronze Dove Ring, $225 8. Ashford Crystal Ringminder, $25 9. Exclusive Winterthur Cottage Lock Plate Ring, $180 10. Glazed Stoneware Trivets, $6 11. Exclusive Winterthur Cottage Lock Plate Necklace, $288 12. Delta Sculpted Bronze and Cubic Zirconia Ring, $295 13. Strawberry Thief Bone China Bauble in Madder, $20 14. Gold Bamboo Tray, $70 15. Gold and White Berry Garland, $35

Gifts for Him

Among our favorite gifts are distinguished treasures for the modern gentleman. From refined sartorial accessories to quality personal items, this collection embodies sophistication and heritage. Each piece tells a story of enduring style and impeccable taste.

1. Cast Iron Mini Car, $18 2. Mars 100% Merino Wool Scarf, $220 3. Embroidered Fox Ornament, $24 4. Ultimate Book of Card Games: The Comprehensive Guide, $26.95 5. Feather Magnifying Glass, $25 6. Locally Made Hand Turned Wood Finial Ornament, $40 7. Squirrel Glass Paperweight, $16 8. Winterthur Exclusive Walnut Fountain Pen, $540 9. A History of Golf Coaster Set, $23 10. Vintage Car 3D Wooden Puzzle, $28 11. Woodsman Ornament, $6 12. Brass Fox Letter Opener, $18 13. Cobalt & Gold Florentine Wood Tray, $166 14. Gold and White Berry Garland, $35

Gifts for Kids

Presents that are playful and nurture their growth and creativity? Priceless. Spark imaginations with our enchanting collection of toys and games. From puzzles and interactive playthings to art supplies and storybooks, each gift is crafted to inspire wonder. 

1. Large Holiday Tin Box $22 2. Felt Village Ornament $12 3. Nutcracker Push Puppet $10 4. Little Beetles Memory & Matching Game $16 5. Lionel the Rabbit Plush Toy $34 6. Nutcracker Blocks (6 pc. Set) $35 7. Hand-Painted Paper Mâché Ornament $5 8. Hand-Painted Wooden Tree Ornament $5 9. Santa Christmas Tree Bowling Set $30 10. Striped Paper Mâché Ornament with Tassel $6 11. Holiday Train $8 12. Felt Garland $14

Gift of Membership

Give the gift of memories with a Winterthur Membership today! With a variety of programs and events all year round, a Winterthur gift membership is more than just a gift—it’s a year of experiences. With something for everyone, your loved one will enjoy the opportunity to stroll the garden, explore the mansion, or wander in the galleries. A calendar full of opportunities offers something for everyone from fun family programs to hands-on workshops, specialty tours, and more. Make your holiday shopping a little bit easier by sharing the joys of Winterthur with a gift membership today!

Purchase a Winterthur e-gift certificate or Gift of Membership online and let their fancy take flight in our museum, garden, and library. Gift cards to the Museum Store can be purchased on-site.

Market Vendors

Photos by Kelly Levin

Each year Winterthur presents two fabulous events that showcase handmade crafts by talented regional artisans. 

Our Artisan Market in July is a summertime highlight across the garden and estate, and Holiday Market in November is the kick-off event for our annual beloved Yuletide celebration. Both draw thousands to the beautiful setting of our garden and estate in the Brandywine Valley. 

We invite you to apply to be part of one or both traditions. 

Signature events at Winterthur are rooted in our rich heritage, legacy, and mission. These two events connect you with an appreciative and enthusiastic audience as you present your wares across a variety of disciplines including art, textiles, ceramics, glass, woodworking, antiques, and gardening as well as artisanal and small-batch gourmet goods. Each of these categories reflect the museum’s own collection and/or history.

All interested artisans will submit a vendor application for consideration. Each show has its own deadline. Information, locations, and requirements vary. Click below for details and applications. Please review all information before applying.

Apply to Artisan Market

Applications for 2026 are now closed.

Learn More.

Apply to Holiday Market

Applications for 2026 are now closed. 

Learn More.

Ways to Give

Your support of Winterthur will have direct and immediate impact as we continue to preserve our world-renowned collection of American decorative arts, rare books, and scholarly material, all situated within our idyllic, historic 1,000-acre landscape. Explore the many ways you can give to Winterthur today. 

Online

We encourage donors to choose from six areas to support, all of which provide critical resources for all aspects of Winterthur.

Your gift will be acknowledged by mail with appropriate tax language. Thank you! 

Check

Please make your check payable to Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library and indicate the area you want to support in the memo line. Your gift will be acknowledged by mail with appropriate tax language. Thank you! 

Mail to: Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library

Attn: Development Office

5105 Kennett Pike

Winterthur, DE 19735

Gift of Stock

We welcome gifts of stock and request information that can ensure accurate gift processing.  Please complete this fillable form and email to contributions@winterthur.org.

Wire Transfer

If you would like to make a contribution through a wire transfer, please complete this fillable form and email to contributions@winterthur.org.

Annual Giving

The Annual Fund contributes necessary dollars that help offset our operating costs each year. Your support will have immediate impact. Help us play a pivotal role in preserving our treasured collection, facilitating groundbreaking exhibitions, and ensuring access to Winterthur for generations to come. Your fully tax-deductible gift to the Annual Fund will support our work toward our vision to inspire exploration of American culture and landscapes through compelling stories and experiences.

Give Now!

Planned Giving

Align your legacy with H. F. du Pont’s, ensuring Winterthur endures as a haven for beauty, education, and access to treasures of material culture and the natural world. 

Including Winterthur in your estate plans makes donors eligible for inclusion in the Port Royal Society, our dedicated giving society for those who have aligned their legacies with a commitment to Winterthur’s future.

Learn More Now!

For more information, please contact Lucy Mason, Senior Associate Director of Major Gifts & Planned Giving, at 302.888.4707 or plannedgiving@winterthur.org.

Corporate Partnerships

By sponsoring a program, event, or exhibition, joining Winterthur Business Associates, or entertaining with us, your business provides critical support for our mission to inspire and educate through the collections, estate, and academic programs. Winterthur is excited to partner with you to engage our visitors, entertain employees, and spread brand recognition across the region. 

Opportunities are entirely customizable and range from supporting museum, garden, or library projects to sponsoring events, programs, exhibitions, and more. Please contact the Development Office at 302.888.4878 or Alexandra Izzard at aizzar@winterthur.org for more information about current opportunities.

IRA Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)

The IRA Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) allows individuals age 70½ or older to make an outright gift to Winterthur from a traditional IRA (up to $111,000 in 2026). The withdrawal amount may count toward your annual required minimum distribution (RMD). The QCD must be paid directly from your IRA to Winterthur. For more information, please contact Lucy Mason, Senior Associate Director of Major Gifts & Planned Giving, at 302.888.4707 or email plannedgiving@winterthur.org.

Donor Advised Fund

A Donor Advised Fund (DAF) is a charitable giving vehicle created by an individual, family, or organization. It offers an immediate tax benefit and allows donors to make grants over time to nonprofit organizations of their choice. Winterthur can be named a recipient of your DAF. For more information, please contact Lucy Mason, Senior Associate Director of Major Gifts & Planned Giving, at 302.888.4707 or email plannedgiving@winterthur.org.

Tribute Gifts

Honor a loved one through a gift to Winterthur. Your thoughtful donation in memory of or in honor of a friend or family member helps Winterthur reach our vision to inspire exploration of American culture and landscapes through compelling stories and experiences. We will notify the honoree’s family of your generous contribution in their memory, without reference to the donation amount.

Gifting an Object

On occasion, Winterthur accepts gifts to the collection that align with our board-approved collections policy. If you would like to inquire about the possibility of an object donation, please contact the Museum Collections Division at museumcollections@winterthur.org. Thank you for your patience as we receive a high volume of inquiries. 

About Appraisals

Winterthur Museum staff cannot provide valuations of objects or give references to specific appraisers due to ethical considerations. To find a specialist that might best fit your specific appraisal needs, please consult the following organizations:

• Appraisers Association of America, (212) 889-5404
• American Society of Appraisers, (703) 478-2228
• International Society of Appraisers, (202) 241-0359

If you are seeking a conservation consultation, please visit our on-site monthly Conservation Clinics presented by Winterthur and the University of Delaware. 

Winterthur Rolls-Royce Rentals

Historic Automobiles at Winterthur

Henry Francis and Ruth Wales du Pont owned more than forty luxury vehicles during their lifetime, notably several Cadillacs and three Rolls-Royces, including a Phantom V. Thanks to a generous gift in 2008 from the Philip C. Beals estate of Southborough, Massachusetts, and later, a gift in 2018 from the David Lunger estate of Fairville, Pennsylvania, Winterthur is the proud owner of two 1927 Rolls-Royce Phantom I’s. These exquisite vehicles showcase classic design and engineering elements from the 1920s and 1930s—an important era in the Winterthur story that helped shape the country estate as we know it today.

A Winterthur team comprises members of the museum’s Conservation, Curatorial, Registration, Gardens, and Facilities Departments that oversee the care and periodic display of the car, making it possible to participate in select invitationals and available for hire during private events. 

1927 Rolls-Royce Phantom I S379FM

This PI sports a 1929 Brewster & Co. green Ascot Tourer body featuring polished aluminum trim, black fenders with ivory pinstriping, light green wheels, a light cloth top, medium-brown leather upholstery, and a wood dash. See more images.

1927 Rolls-Royce Phantom I S123PM

Ordered in 1926 and delivered in July 1927, this PI presents a Merrimac maroon Pall Mall body with red accents and pinstriping, black fenders, red wheels with chrome rings, a light cloth top, medium-brown leather upholstery, and a wood dash. See more images. 

Historical Background

Rolls-Royce Phantom I series cars were built in the newly created Springfield, Massachusetts, Rolls-Royce of America, Inc., facility. The plant began operations in 1921 with the production of Silver Ghosts and transitioned to building the “New Phantom” in late 1926. Before production ceased in the early 1930s, 1,2411 Phantom chassis were assembled in the Springfield plant. The Springfield-built Silver Ghosts and Phantoms are the only Rolls-Royce chassis ever built outside of the United Kingdom.

To secure superior coachwork in the United States, Rolls-Royce contracted with numerous coachbuilders, including Hibbard & Darrin, Murphy, Smith Springfield, Derham, Rolls-Royce Custom Coachwork, Merrimac, and Brewster. 

The Pall Mall coachwork on Winterthur’s S123PM was made by Rolls-Royce Custom Coachwork, Merrimac in Massachusetts. Its tall profile is traditional, very English, and incredibly spacious. The last Pall Mall body was produced in 1928, giving way to the new sleeker, lower, and more American-styled Ascot/Derby line represented by the Winterthur Phantom I, S 379 FM, whose Ascot Tourer body was made by Brewster & Co. of Long Island, New York. Noted as one of the most desirable body combinations of the era, there are twenty-eight Ascot-bodied Phantom I’s recorded as having been built by Brewster & Co. with an undetermined number surviving today.

Learn more.

Winterthur’s 1927 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Cars and Your Special Event 

Select one of our 1927 Rolls-Royce Phantom I cars—the Ascot or Pall Mall—for photographs or photographs and transportation on the estate. These exquisite vehicles display classic design elements from the 1920s and 1930s, showcasing the sophistication of the era’s wealthy trendsetters and helping tell the story of your event in grand style.

Rental Option A:

Photographs only | $1,000/one hour

A member of Winterthur’s Rolls-Royce Stewardship Team will drive the Rolls-Royce (“the Vehicle”) to one location for a photo shoot for the participants (“the Client”). The driver will remain present during the photo shoot to assist and serve as the caretaker of the Vehicle.

Photography to be coordinated by the Client; if pictures of the Client inside the vehicle are desired, the Client must follow the driver’s instructions for how to safely enter and exit. Food and drink are not permitted inside the Vehicle.

Rental Option B:

On-estate transport | $2,000/one hour

Two staff members, including at least one member of Winterthur’s Rolls-Royce Stewardship Team, will operate and oversee the Vehicle for singular one-way transportation of up to two participants within the Winterthur estate. The originating and ending locations must be agreed upon in advance by the Client and the driver. Photography permitted and to be coordinated by the Client. The driver’s assistant will facilitate entering and exiting the Vehicle, while the driver will be focused on Vehicle operation. An auxiliary stool may be needed to enter and exit the Vehicle in some cases. Food and drink are not permitted inside the Vehicle.

For more information, contact Bill White at bwhite@winterthur.org.

Winterthur Point-to-Point Steeplechase

As we prepare to celebrate Winterthur’s 75th anniversary in 2026, we will pause Point-to-Point for this milestone year. Next spring, we will host a special anniversary celebration that honors Winterthur’s rich history and vibrant present. As we look beyond 2026, we are exploring fresh and exciting ways to reimagine our signature spring events for 2027 and the years to come.

Stay tuned—we can’t wait to unveil the next chapter of Winterthur traditions.

ptp

In Good Taste: Winterthur’s Mushroom Soup

Recipe by our talented culinary team from Restaurant Associates. Available Tuesday-Sunday in our Visitor Center Café from 11:00 am–3:00 pm.

Taste the season in every spoonful of this comforting autumn favorite—hearty carrots, celery, and onion mingle with earthy mushrooms and garden greens in a rich, savory harmony. Makes 8-10 hearty servings.

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs button mushrooms, sliced (or mix of button & cremini)
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled & diced
  • 2 celery ribs, diced
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 Tbsp canola oil
  • 6 Tbsp butter (¾ stick)
  • 6 Tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ tsp dried tarragon (or 1 Tbsp fresh, chopped)
  • 1 quart (4 cups) chicken or vegetable stock (plus a little more if needed)
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • Salt & pepper, to taste
  • A squeeze of fresh lemon juice (to brighten at the end)

Instructions

  1. Prep the vegetables: Dice carrots, celery, onion, and mince garlic. Slice mushrooms.
  2. Make the roux: In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook 3–4 minutes, whisking until lightly golden. Set aside.
  3. Sauté the base: In a large pot, heat canola oil. Add mushrooms, onion, carrot, celery, and garlic. Cook until softened and fragrant, 8–10 minutes.
  4. Build the soup: Add stock and water. Bring to a simmer.
  5. Thicken: Whisk roux into the pot a spoonful at a time, stirring well to avoid lumps. Simmer gently 10 minutes until thickened.
  6. Finish: Stir in heavy cream and tarragon. Simmer 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  7. Season: Taste and adjust with salt, pepper, and a splash of lemon juice to balance the richness.

Explore the Campbell Collection of Soup Tureens

Artfully crafted in fascinating forms, the Campbell Collection of Soup Tureens features sculpted metals, precious porcelains, and elegant earthenwares among the materials found in this wide range of tureens and soup-related objects made in Europe, Asia, and America. The dates range from 1720 to modern times.

The genesis of the Campbell Collection dates to 1966, when John T. Dorrance Jr., chairman of the Campbell Soup Company, and W. B. Murphy, the company president, decided to begin collecting these splendid pieces. The collection came to Winterthur and the gallery opened in 1997. 

Come see for yourself why guests from around the world have enjoyed the Campbell Collection of Soup Tureens at Winterthur. Plan your visit today!

The Story Behind “Unus Americanus ex Virginia”: An Indigenous Encounter in Print from 1645

By Camille Williams, curatorial intern

Print, Unus Americanus ex Virginia, Europe, 1645. Museum purchase with funds provided by the Winterthur Founder’s Circle 2024.0009

This recently acquired half-length portrait engraving by artist Wenceslaus Hollar portrays a once-known young Native American man, thousands of miles removed from home, caught up in the Dutch Empire’s fraught colonization of North America (fig. 1). Measuring only 4 inches by 3 inches, this rare depiction came by the deft hand of 17th-century Europe’s most influential and prolific printmaker. Prague-born Hollar, who enjoyed steady patronage in Germany, England, and the Netherlands, distributed his prints widely. But who was this Native man?

Detail, print, Unus Americanus ex Virginia, Europe, 1645. Museum purchase with funds provided by the Winterthur Founder’s Circle 2024.0009

With his inscription in the print’s top left, Hollar recorded “Vnus Americanus ex / Virginia, Ætat: 23” or “An American from Virginia, aged 23”. At this time, Europeans used “Virginia” to refer to the territory along the eastern coastline of North America; the subject of the print likely belonged to the Munsee Delaware Algonquin-speaking people who inhabited much of the New Netherlands colony, from modern-day New York to Delaware. From the top right inscription, “Hollar ad vivum / delin: et fecit, 1645,” we know that Hollar drafted and executed the etching in 1645 when he was likely in Antwerp, Belgium.[i]

Using a precise cross-hatching technique, Hollar approached the subject with his characteristic scientific accuracy, drawing attention to the sitter’s musculature, facial tattoos, and shaved hairstyle. The subject wears a headdress of animal teeth, and his earrings and necklace consist of beads and shells. Known as wampum or “sewant” by the Dutch, these colored beads and shells served not only as currency for trade but also held spiritual importance for those who fashioned them.[ii] With his half-open, almond-shaped eyes and closed mouth with upturned corners, the subject is depicted with a peaceful expression. His direct but nonconfrontational gaze invites the viewer to look upon the man with respect and dignity. Yet this representation conceals the dark reality of the circumstances that brought him to Europe.

Scholar George Hamell identified the sitter as a Munsee warrior named Jaques. Legal records from September 1644 document that two soldiers of the West India Company entered into a contract with a Dutchman to exhibit a “wilde Indiaen”—or “savage Indian” named Jaques in exchange for money. According to the contract, Jaques sailed with the men to the Netherlands on the ship Count Maurits in 1644.[iii]

Jaques may have fought in Kieft’s War, a series of Dutch-Indian conflicts in present-day New York between 1643 and 1645, resulting in the loss of more than 1,000 Native lives. Sensationalized accounts of massacres spread across Europe, which perpetuated stereotypes of “cruel” and “ferocious Indians.”[iv] Other sources attested to the kidnapping of Native Americans to the Netherlands, as was the case with Jaques.[v]

Een Mahakuaes Indiaen, met hun Steden en woningen, Rare Book Division, The New York Public Library. New York Public Library Digital Collections.

Regardless of whether the man depicted here is truly Jaques, his likeness continued to circulate and came to represent Native Americans in the New Netherlands. When a Dutch missionary in Albany named Johannes Megapolensis wrote to his friends in Holland of his encounters with “savage” and “heathen” Mohawks and Mohicans in August 1644, they published them with a full-length engraving depicting a Native man strikingly similar to the one in Hollar’s print. The reverse orientation of the image and the decreased detail of the hatch marks suggest that the engraver traced and transferred Hollar’s image. Several times over the ensuing centuries, publishers reproduced these textual and visual accounts of the New World, extending the wider impact of Hollar’s original 1645 print.

Today, as Hollar’s print remains coveted in museum collections, it is important to remember Jaques—both the vitality of his image and the dispossession and erasure endured by indigenous people.

[i] Richard Pennington, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Etched Work of Wenceslaus Hollar, 1607–1677 (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1982), cat. no. 2009, 317.

[ii] George Hamell, “The Iroquois and the World’s Rim: Speculations on Color, Culture, and Contact,” American Indian Quarterly 16, no. 4 (1992): 451–69.

[iii] George Hamell, “Jaques a Munsee from New Netherland,” unpublished; evidence from the translated Dutch contract is published in “Jaques,” New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, https://www.newyorkfamilyhistory.org/new_netherland_settlers/jaques#ftnt1.

[iv] Robert Grumet, The Munsee Indians (Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 2009), 54–67.

[v] “In October 1644, The Eight Men, an elected advisory council in the New Netherlands, complained about the practice of gifting Native prisoners of war to soldiers,” New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, https://www.newyorkfamilyhistory.org/new_netherland_settlers/jaques#ftnt1

In Memoriam: Charles F. Hummel and His Remarkable Legacy

Winterthur recently lost an extraordinary colleague, mentor, supporter, and friend—Charles F. Hummel. He arrived in 1952 as a member of the second class in the graduate program Winterthur/University of Delaware Program in Early American Culture (today American Material Culture) and worked at Winterthur until 2022—the year of his second retirement.

Charlie’s contributions to Winterthur are exceptional. Following his graduation in 1955, Hummel was hired as a curatorial assistant, with steady promotions to assistant curator, associate curator, senior curator and head of the curatorial division, deputy director for collections, and senior deputy director for museum and library. He was also an adjunct professor at the University of Delaware and taught graduate students at Winterthur. At the time of his first retirement in 1991, he was named curator emeritus. But Charlie was only partway through his tenure at Winterthur. He continued to teach, research, and serve as a mentor to hundreds of students for another 31 years.

He played a key role in bringing the Dominy Shops—woodworking and clockmaking shops used by three generations of the Dominy family living in East Hampton, Long Island—to Winterthur. His major books, considered landmarks in the field, include With Hammer in Hand: The Dominy Craftsmen of East Hampton, New York; A Winterthur Guide to American Chippendale Furniture; and, with co-author Beatrice Garvan, The Pennsylvania Germans: A Celebration of Their Arts, 1683–1850.

He also was instrumental in establishing the Scientific Research and Analysis Laboratory in 1969 and the founding of the Winterthur/University of Delaware Program in Art Conservation in the 1970s. 

Perhaps his great legacy, and what his students, colleagues, and friends will remember most are his generosity, his enthusiasm, his warmth, and his genuine and kind personality. Charlie had an agelessness about him, and he enjoyed engaging in ongoing research and mentoring students in both of Winterthur’s graduate programs.

Charlie’s contributions will continue to impact Winterthur for decades to come.

Dedicated to inspiring exploration of American culture and landscapes

Hours & Accessibility

Spring, Summer & Fall
Tuesday–Sunday, 10:00 AM-5:00 PM

During Yuletide
Tuesday–Sunday, 10:00 AM-5:00 PM
Extended evening hours on select Fridays and Saturdays.

Mailing Address

Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library
5105 Kennett Pike
Winterthur, Delaware 19735

800.448.3883

Library
The library is open for drop-in visits and general browsing Monday through Friday, 9:00 am–4:00 pm. The use of special collections, including rare books, manuscripts, and archives, is available by appointment only, Monday through Friday, 10:00 am–4:00 pm. Please email reference@winterthur.org or call 302-888-4681 to make a Library appointment at least 24 hours in advance of your visit.

 

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Delaware Division of the Arts logoThis organization is supported, in part, by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. The Division promotes Delaware arts events on www.DelawareScene.com.