Horticulture, Architecture, and Decorative Arts

“Henry Francis duPont transformed into a museum the house on a hill at Winterthur, Delaware, where two generations of his family had lived before him” (11).

The Book

Henry F. duPont and Winterthur: A Daughter’s Portrait by Ruth Lord introduces the reader to a man who had a love for gardening and preserving American architecture and decorative arts. duPont chose to share that love with the world when he opened Winterthur Museum, Garden, and Library.

Lord provides a brief look into the duPont ancestry and how they arrived in the Brandywine Valley area of Delaware. A great-grandfather founded the gun powder company that eventually became the DuPont chemical company. Henry Francis duPont was born into this family and lived a life of material luxury. However, Lord paints a picture of an insecure and dependent child who struggled in school. 

At an early age duPont showed an interest in gardening and interior design. When duPont’s mother died, he took over the household duties at Winterthur and eventually the grounds, gardens, and farms. While visiting a friend in 1923, duPont was bitten by the American architecture and decorative arts “bug”. He began to collect interiors of buildings as well as furniture. The idea for a museum gradually developed and it opened in 1951. Lord says, “[duPont] did not buy things wholesale but more often with a definite plan in mind” (188). This is evident in the woodwork from five states incorporated into the museum and the multiple period rooms on display.

Henry F. duPont and Winterthur is written like a relative is sharing her memories – it does jump around some, but it is easy to follow. The chapters are short and several provide unique insights or perspectives into duPont’s life. One interesting chapter focuses solely on the planning that went into weekend parties and dinners. It is evident from the book that duPont loved this land and American decorative arts and sought to preserve both. One could argue that, with the largest collection of Americana and vast native landscapes, he succeeded.

The Place
Winterthur is named for a Swiss town and it means "door of winter". Yet, the Winterthur Museum, Garden, and Library is anything but just a door of winter. Year round it offers breathtaking views in the gardens and a peak into American decorative arts in the museum.

In creating the garden, duPont planned for year-round blooming. From February to November, various plants paint colors in the gardens where visitors can stroll or take tram rides. Winterthur is known for its azaleas, which bloom in May. I visited in July and was able to see hostas and hydrangeas. We took a tram ride around the grounds to see various gardens, the barn, and the old post office.

A tour of the home provides a look into life for the duPonts and their guests, as well as historic American decorative art. The tour begins with the first piece duPont collected and from there each room reveals his passion to preserve this part of American history. The dining room provides a glimpse into how meticulously duPont planned each meal (from the food, to the china, to the flowers).

There are a variety of admission packages available, with some providing an in-depth tour of the museum. Winterthur is closed on Monday, so make sure to plan accordingly. It would be better to tour the grounds during nice weather and year-round blooming does allow for different scenery each visit.