Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library

Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library Overview

Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library is a premier museum of American decorative arts located in Winterthur, Delaware. Established by Henry Francis du Pont in 1951, the museum houses an unparalleled collection of over 89,000 objects, including furniture, ceramics, textiles, glass, and paintings, primarily from the 17th to 19th centuries.

The museum's centerpiece is a 175-room mansion, designed in the style of an English country estate. It offers guided tours showcasing the du Pont family's life and the rich history of early America.

Garden and Grounds

Adjacent to the mansion is a 60-acre naturalistic garden, a masterpiece of color and design reflecting du Pont's expertise in horticulture. The garden features a variety of plant species, blooming plants, pools, and architectural elements.

Included in the garden is the Enchanted Woods children's garden, providing a place of mystery and discovery for young visitors.

Winterthur Library

Established in 1952, the Winterthur Library is a recognized research center for American decorative arts. It holds more than 100,000 volumes, including rare books and catalogs documenting American and European trades and material culture.

Academic Programs

Winterthur offers graduate programs in material culture and art conservation in partnership with the University of Delaware. These programs contribute significantly to scholarship in these fields.

Location and Visiting Hours

The museum is located at 5105 Kennett Pike, Wilmington, DE 19735, within the historic Brandywine Valley.

It is open Tuesday through Sunday, from 10 AM to 5 PM, with the last house tour tickets sold at 3:15 PM.

Locations

• Wilmington, DE, USA – the primary location of Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library, featuring the mansion, gardens, library, and academic programs.