After our overnight stay at a B&B in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, a short drive took us the Winterthur Museum, where we had been twice before but some twenty-five years ago.
The museum is quite remarkable: situated on nearly 1,000 acres of prime real estate not far from Wilmington, Delaware, Winterthur was the home of three generations of du Ponts but it was when it came into the possession of the last of these, Henry Francis du Pont. A collector of European antiques and decorative arts, he changed the direction of his acquisitions to focus more on Americana and expanded the house he inherited some sixfold--from 30 rooms to 175-- to house his collection. His other passions were Friesian cattle, of which he became one of the preeminent breeders in the United States, and horticulture.
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| The main house, with 96,500 square feet of space |
The collection consists not just of objects, numbering around 89,000, and which began with the purchase in 1923 of a 1737 Pennsylvania Dutch chest, on display near where the tours of the museum begin. It includes not only ceramics, furniture, glass, metalwork, paintings, textiles and needlework, but architectural features as the du Ponts begain to collect entire rooms from houses being demolished. Hence the massive growth of their house as it was expanded in 1928-1930, reaching seven stories in some sections. In 1951, the du Ponts moved to a smaller house across from the main one and the Winterthur Museum was born.
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| This room features decorative Chinese wallpaper from 1775-1800 |
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| Georgian silver tea service |
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| Another view of the Chinese wallpaper room |
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| A slightly less historic room: this is where the du Ponts lived until they moved out of the house in 1951 as it was turned into a museum of decorative arts |
Particularly beautiful is the Montrmorenci staircase (heading photo), removed from a plantation house in North Carolina that was demolished in 1935, with its mantels, moldings, cornices and this staircase being saved. The staircase, which dates from around 1840, was modified to fit Winterthur and from a circular shape became elliptical. And one of the strongest images one takes away from the museum.
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| Another view of the Montmorenci staircase |
As wonderful as the Winterthur Museum was, we had the definite feeling of being hustled from room to room by the tour guide somewhat faster than we would have liked. Each room is filled with interesting pieces and it is clear that the du Ponts not only had unlimited funds but superb taste. H.F> du Pont was called in by Jacqueline Kennedy when the White House was remodeled to add his historical interior design perspective.
Since our last visit to Winterthur, some new galleries were added that feature special exhibitions. At the time of this visit, there was a marvellous collection of Tiffany glass pieces, including not only the famous lamps but also a number of the gorgeous stained glass windows, and fascinating insights into the extensive workshop of Louis Comfort Tiffany and profiles of his talented staff.
The second gallery was devoted to an exhibition of pieces of Pennsylvania German origin, sturdy but charming. In addition, there were two complete workshops that had been reconstructed in situ, the one where wooden clocks were manufactured, and the other a woodworking shop, run by three generations of the Dominy family of East Hampton, Long Island, New York, from 1745 onwards. This remarkable collection of early American tools had been assembled by du Pont's team and placed in replica structure inside the museum in 1960.
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| A chest decorated for Johannes Miller in 1783, believe to have been done by Heinrich Otto. The flowers are typical motifs of the style but the camels are highly unusual. |
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| The Dominy clock shop reconstruction |
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| Dominy clock workshop interior |
The Dominy house, shortly before its demolition in 1946. The workshops were attached as wings to the house.
Immediately after our visit, there was an article in a Long Island newspaper about repatriating the clock shop and woodworking shop back to East Hampton but as far as I know they remain at Winterthur.
And you will want tor remain at Winterthur as well. In addition to the museum, there are extensive and very beautiful gardens to enjoy. Highly recommended!
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