April 2010

Twice as Nice
One Ticket -- Two du Pont Gardens!
March 9–April 30

Friends in town this spring? Share your love of the Brandywine Valley with them. For only $20, visit both Longwood Gardens and Winterthur, including a guided tour of the Winterthur mansion.

Click here for coupon!

Flower Power: Floral Artistry at Winterthur Exhibition
March 9–October 31

Widely known as a collector, horticulturist, and interior designer, Henry Francis du Pont combined these passions in the glorious flower arrangements he created for his home. Du Pont carefully considered color, shape, texture, and fragrance in developing complementary floral designs for his rooms and dining table.

In this exhibition, explore this crucial—and often overlooked—aspect of du Pont’s design prowess, from color palettes to specific flower and vessel choices.
Included with all admission tickets. Members free.

Lost Gardens of the Brandywine Exhibition
March 27 - July 25, 2010

Long known for its lush public gardens, the Brandywine Valley is also home to private gardens whose names ring out from another age. In this stunning exhibition, explore these hidden and lost gems through rare early color images of and garden relics from “one of the chief centers of horticulture in the United States.” Image of Winterthur Sundial Garden courtesy of Hagley Museum and Library

Members free. Included with all admission tickets.

Pages of Time: Mother & Daughter Book and Craft Club (101)
Thursday, April 1, 2010
6:00 - 8:00 pm. For girls in 4th - 6th grade and their female adult caregiver.

Join us for this month's Mother (Adult Female) & Daughter Book and Craft Club at Winterthur--just for girls! Once a month on Thursday evenings, we'll get together to discuss a young adult historical fiction book we've all read, try some tasty historical snacks, and make a cool book-related craft to take home. Moms/adults should be sure to read the books too! April's Book Selection: The Voyage of Patience Goodspeed by Heather Vogel Frederick. Registration required. Call 800.448.3883 to register and more details.
Free for Members. $35 per mother/daughter pair for 7-month series. Books should be purchased and/or read prior to each month's club meeting.

Designer Stencils Demo
April 3, 11:00 am–12:00 pm
Museum Store

Visit the Museum Store to learn how to decorate cookies and cakes using stencils! The stencil patterns were inspired by designs from Winterthur and are a perfect way to make your desserts look like they were created by a professional. Using food grade stencils, watch the “master” at work, creating beautiful treats.

Wednesdays at Winterthur
Garden Walks, Talks, and Demonstrations 4.7.10
Spring Into Action
11:30 am, April 7
Location: Greenhouse Bldg #68

Enjoy the wildflowers, trees, and beautiful natural landscape of the Winterthur estate. Meet Mary Patterson, specialist garden guide, for a stroll on garden paths and off the beaten track. Explore new areas and experience Henry Francis du Pont’s beautiful spring legacy.
Included with all admission tickets, Members free.

WOW! Wee Ones at Winterthur
Now offered twice a month (repeated program)! First, check-in or register at the Visitor Center, then walk or take the shuttle over to the Galleries Reception Area of the main museum building to begin the program at 10:15.
Program lasts approximately 1 hour.
For ages 3-5 with an adult caregiver(s)
April 7 & 21
On the first or third Wednesday of each month, join us for stories related to Winterthur's collection or garden. This early childhood literacy series incorporates active learning through music, movement, and the exploration of objects in a warm and welcoming setting. This month's story: Shaker Hearts . Sorry, not appropriate for day cares or other large groups.
Free for Members. $5 per non-Member child with 1 accompanying adult free. Children under 2 free. $18 each additional adult.

Lost Gardens Lunchtime Lecture:
"Unbuilt and Unexpected Nemours"
April 8, 12:15–1:15 pm, Rotunda

Join Grace Gary, executive director of Nemours Mansion and Gardens, for a discussion of the partnership between Alfred I. duPont and architect Thomas Hastings of Carrère and Hastings that led to the design of the gardens at Nemours. Gary will focus on aspects of the gardens that were never built and on some of the unusual approaches to horticulture that were considered.
Members free. Included with admission.

Ikebana Class: Water in Composition
Saturday, April 10
9:30 am-12:00 pm
Meeting Location: Greenhouse Bldg. #68

Water is regarded as the conscious element of ikebana design. Study the various ways it can be incorporated, such as emphasizing the water surface, showing water through a glass, or combining different containers and shapes. Instructor: Midori Tanimune
Materials and containers will be provided. Please bring clippers.
$48; $40 Members

Second Saturdays Garden Walk:
Winterhazels and Early Rhododendrons
April 10, 1:00 pm, Visitor Center

Learn fascinating, little-known details about the estate with our horticultural staff.

Dress for the weather and wear walking shoes. In case of inclement weather, call 302.888.4915 after 10:00 am. Walks last approximately 90 minutes. Members free. No reservations necessary. Included with all admission tickets.

Wednesdays at Winterthur
Garden Walks, Talks, and Demonstrations 4.14.10
Spring Ephemerals in Azalea Woods
11:30 am, April 14th
Location: Greenhouse Bldg #68

Enjoy an early spring day in Azalea Woods. Susan Sibley, garden horticulturist, will be your guide as you witness the garden come to life with bluebells, trillium, and windflowers. Take a close look at how the plantings are massed to create a true “wild garden.”
Included with all admission tickets, Members free.

The Winterthur Ceramics Conference
Success to America
April 15-16

Join an assemblage of experts for lectures and workshops that focus on the incredible range of ceramics that arrived from England, China, and continental Europe to supply the American market from the 1600s through the 1800s. Celebrate the launch of Success to America, Winterthur’s book and exhibit on British pottery for the patriotic American market from 1760 to 1820.

Please check back frequently for updated information on registration. $340; $295 Members and professionals working for nonprofits; $175 Students with ID.
More details and registration...

Success to America:
Featuring the S. Robert Teitelman Collection at Winterthur
opens April 15, first-floor Galleries

This special display celebrates British pottery made for the American market between 1765 and 1820. Of the millions of pieces of English pottery shipped to America during those years, only a small percentage was decorated specifically to appeal to patriotic Americans. These rare survivors illustrate themes of rebellion, revolution, and the new republic as well as developing commerce, social justice, and war. Some of the finest examples ever made can now be seen in the Winterthur Ceramics Gallery. Video presentations in the gallery will provide background information to this extraordinary collection, and the accompanying book is available from the Museum Store.
Members free. Included with admission.

Heirloom Bulbs for Restoration Gardens
April 17, 11:00 am

Flower bulbs were among the first plants in commerce and have been around long enough to even be mentioned in the Bible. Brent Heath, a third-generation bulb grower and co-owner of Brent and Becky’s Bulbs, will illustrate how historic bulbs can be used in the garden. Whether it's a colonial home or your grandmother's garden that you wish to restore with authentic bulbs of the time, your options include a palette full of colors, seasons, heights, shapes, and sizes. This talk will cover hundreds of possibilities that are from 50 to 500 hundred years old and will include slides taken in period gardens such as Monticello, Colonial Williamsburg, and Mount Vernon. $20; $10 Members. Free for Winterthur Garden & Landscape Society members.

Burgon & Ball Tool Question & Answer
April 17, 11:00 am–2:00 pm
Museum Store

Every gardener relies on their tools to make their jobs easier. Come to the Museum Store and meet the Burgon & Ball representative who will show you why their tools are as practical as they are beautiful. Made in Sheffield, England of high-carbon steel, each tool has been purpose-designed to be enjoyable and easy to use over many trouble-free years.

Wednesdays at Winterthur
Garden Walks, Talks, and Demonstrations 4.21.10
Marian Coffin’s Sundial Garden
11:30 am, April 21
Location: Greenhouse Bldg #68

Landscape architect Marian Coffin and H. F. du Pont were lifelong friends and collaborated in the creation of the Sundial Garden. Learn the history and design of this April garden at the peak of its season with assistant curator of the garden, Carol Long.
Included with all admission tickets, Members free.

Brandywine Baroque Concert:
The Four Seasons
Thursday, April 22, 3 pm
Copeland Lecture Hall

PROGRAM
Concerto for Violin by Antonio Vivaldi
Martin Davids, violin

Cantata: Notte placida e cheta by George Frideric Handel
Laura Heimes, soprano

Concerto for flute, Op. 10, No. 6 by Antonio Vivaldi
Eileen Grycky, flute

INTERMISSION

The Four Seasons by Antonio Vivaldi
La Primavera (Spring), Op. 8, No. 1
L’Estate (Summer), Op. 8, No. 2
L’Autumno (Autumn), Op. 8, No. 3
L’Inverno (winter) ), Op. 8, No. 4

Cynthia Freivogel, violin

Laurie Heimes, soprano
Eileen Grycky, flute
Cynthia Freivogel, violin
Marty Davids, violin
Elissa Wagman, violin
Amy Leonard, viola
Doug McNames, cello
Anne Peterson, bass
Karen Flint, harpsichord

All tickets sold through Winterthur. Advance tickets, call 302.888.4600. On-site sales on a space-available basis. $25; $20 Members and seniors; $15 students. General admission not included in ticket price.

Inspired by the Winterthur Garden
April 23 1:30–2:30 pm, Rotunda

Learn how to apply the artistic lessons of the Winterthur Garden to your home landscape with examples from the private gardens of Winterthur’s garden staff.

Optional tour follows. $20; $10 Members. Call 800.448.3883 or 302.888.4600.

La Vie Parisienne Jewelry Trunk Show
April 23–25, 10:00 am–4:00 pm
Galleries Reception Area

Elegant jewelry designs rendered from original molds and stampings created by the Parisian artists of the celebrated Art Nouveau and Deco periods. Each piece is painstakingly detailed by hand, following the traditional artisanal methods with most pieces made of “old silver” or “14-carat gold,” a unique French process of layering silver or gold over copper to bring out relief and detail. Crystals are hand set and the enameling is done with tiny brushes until each piece exhibits its unique quality and reflects the art and culture of the past while becoming a treasure for the present.

Winterthur Collects What? Special Display
opens April 27, first-floor Galleries

Objects come to the museum for diverse reasons--some because they are exceptional works by talented artisans, others because they humbly inform us about daily life in the past. Although Winterthur is best known for its collection of fine and decorative arts, the museum also collects objects that might surprise you. This display was prompted by the number of visitors who ask, “Where did the bathrooms go?” Members free. Included with admission.
Photo of urinal, made in America, 1750-1825; pewter. 1966.10 museum purchase.

Wednesdays at Winterthur
Garden Walks, Talks, and Demonstrations 4.28.10
Fairy Flowers of Enchanted Woods
11:30 am, April 28th
Location: Greenhouse Bldg #68

The fairies are lonely on Oak Hill! Come enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells associated with an awakening spring garden while focusing on some of the legends and myths surrounding fairy flowers. Kathy Weir, specialist garden guide, will help you catch the spell of the magical Enchanted Woods.
Included with all admission tickets, Members free.

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