A Lasting Legacy:
Sixty Years of Winterthur Graduate Programs

On view May 25, 2012–June 16, 2013

The WPEAC classes of 1970 and 1971 visiting MESDA's Criss Cross Hall in 1970. Courtesy of the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts, photo by Frances Griffin.

Objects conservator Bruno Pouliot with Caroline Roberts, Rose Cull, and LeeAnn Barnes Gordon (all WUDPAC '11)

Heather Hansen (WPAMC '10) tries her hand at turning on the lathe during a class visit to Colonial Williamsburg.

Commemorating the nation’s most successful university-museum partnership, A Lasting Legacy explores the changing roles of conservation and curatorial scholarship over the past 60 years.

For nearly six decades, the University of Delaware and Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library have guided two groundbreaking graduate programs—the Winterthur Program in American Material Culture (begun in 1952 as the Winterthur Program in Early American Culture) and the Winterthur-University of Delaware Program in Art Conservation (begun in 1974). Arguably, no academic programs have had a greater impact on American museums over the last half century. Winterthur-educated museum directors, curators, and professors have transformed institutions, developed landmark exhibitions, and redefined the public’s understanding of American decorative arts and material culture. Winterthur-trained conservators have treated some of the nation’s most famous objects, from the Star-Spangled Banner and Declaration of Independence to the original C-3PO costume from Star Wars and a space suit from Apollo 11.

A Lasting Legacy highlights the accomplishments of the two programs through a short film and case studies that reveal the extraordinary range and reach of the students during their graduate experience, their many contributions throughout their careers, and the global impact of the programs. Through this exhibition, visitors will get to know some of the remarkable people responsible for preserving our cultural heritage and for guiding institutions that share our arts, history, and culture.

Additional Information

View the exhibition video here. Please note that the video file is large and may take a minute to load.

Read the article about A Lasting Legacy that appeared in Antiques & Fine Art Magazine. Courtesy, Summer 2012 issue of Antiques & Fine Art Magazine.

Read related blog posts by current and incoming art conservation students about their summer internships and other art conservation projects.

Related Events

Lunchtime Lecture Series
One Friday a month, September–December
12:15–1:15 pm
Join us for a variety of intriguing talks by Winterthur students and alumni this fall. Members free. Included with admission.

Reaching and Teaching through Material Culture: A Winterthur Graduate Program 60th Anniversary Symposium
September 28–29, 2012
Presented by Winterthur, the University of Delaware, and the Society of Winterthur Fellows, this fascinating symposium on material culture and art conservation features experts from around the country. For more information, visit winterthur.org/materialculturesymposium.
 

Please consider supporting this exhibition. We are grateful for your contributions.

Major funding provided by the University of Delaware Office of Graduate and Professional Education; the American Decorative Arts Forum; David W. Dangremond, Early American Culture, Class of 1976; The Decorative Arts Trust; Jonathan B. Loring; Tru Vue, Inc.; and Washington Decorative Arts Forum.

Exhibition is located in the East Gallery, second floor of the Galleries. All exhibitions are included with admission and are free to Winterthur Members.

Image at top of page: Textiles conservator Joy Gardiner (WUDPAC ’88) assisted by Anne Getts (WUDPAC ’12)