If you missed this year's Christmas finery at Winterthur, the former home of Henry F. du Pont (1880-1969) in Winterthur, Delaware, now's a good time to make a New Year's resolution to get your tickets early for next season. This picture is a close-up of one of the Christmas trees at the museum where tickets are timed for entry/Photo by Patricia Leslie
An aerial shot of Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library, a portion which du Pont opened to the public in 1951. The "premier museum of American decorative arts" has 1,000 acres, 175 rooms, and 90,000 objects made or used in the U.S. between 1640 and 1860. Winterthur (pronounced "Winter-tour" and named after a DuPont ancestral home in Winterthur, Switzerland) is only six miles from Brandywine River Museum which operates N.C.'s and Andrew Wyeth's homes and studios in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania. A wonderful day trip from Washington is a visit to Winterthur and Brandywine, about two hours up Interstate 95.
The public entrance at Winterthur/Photo by Winterthur
One of Winterthur's Christmas trees/Photo by Patricia Leslie
The dining room at Winterthur/Photo by Patricia Leslie
Paul Revere urns in the dining room at Winterthur/Photo by Patricia Leslie
Winterthur's hors d'oeuvres room/Photo by Patricia Leslie
From a Winterthur Christmas tree/Photo by Patricia Leslie
The card room at Winterthur where playing bridge was de rigueur/Photo by Patricia Leslie
If you are lucky, you'll get to hear a pianist play carols during the Yuletide tour at Winterthur/Photo by Patricia Leslie
Winterthur's "basket room" of Christmas gifts, all set for unwrapping/Photo by Patricia Leslie
Most of the Christmas trees at Winterthur are artificial, but not this one in the green house extension off the main house. Uneven branches and natural drooping add to the tree's appeal/Photo by Patricia Leslie
A room for the housekeeping staff at Winterthur. In the boxes on the wall are sounds of summons/Photo by Patricia Leslie
A room for the housekeeping staff at Winterthur/Photo by Patricia LeslieWhat: Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library
When: Monday - Sunday, 9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Where: 5105 Kennett Pike (Route 52)
Winterthur, DE 19735 (Winterthur says Google Maps sometimes gives incorrect directions, so it recommends MapQuest.)
Admission: Members are always admitted free. Adults, $25; seniors and students, $23; children, 2-11, $5, and no charge for children under age 2.
For more information: 800-448-3883
patricialesli@gmail.com
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