WINTERTHUR, DE (December 12, 2023) – A project to preserve the historic Old Gate House at Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library was the only initiative in Delaware to receive funding in a recent round of grants from the National Park Service.

Winterthur requested and received $125,000 for the project, with Winterthur contributing a matching $125,000.

The award was part of $25.7 million in Save America’s Treasures grants from the National Park Service (NPS), in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), and the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The funding supports 58 projects in 26 states, the Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia.

Located on the western edge of Winterthur along Kennett Pike (Route 52), the Old Gate House is one of the more prominent and recognizable parts of the estate.

Winterthur is the former home of Henry Francis du Pont (1880-1969), a renowned horticulturist and antique collector. He spent his life managing Winterthur’s estate and its farm, perfecting its gardens, and amassing one of the most significant collections of American decorative arts in the world. He ultimately transformed his magnificent 175-room mansion into a museum in 1951 to display nearly 90,000 objects made or used in America since 1640.

At its peak, the estate had 12 temperature-controlled greenhouses, a 23-acre orchard, a 5.5-acre vegetable garden, and a 4-acre cutting garden. It also had a butcher shop, sawmill, tannery, post office, train station, and a dairy barn where du Pont bred and raised award-winning Holstein cattle. Ninety-nine cottages housed 250 members of Winterthur’s staff and their families.

The Old Gate House was designed in 1902 by Robeson Lea Perot, a Philadelphia-based architect. This two-story colonial/neoclassical revival building served as the main gate entrance to Winterthur and as the residence for the gatekeeper and his family until 1961. Today, the gatehouse serves as offices for some of Winterthur’s development staff.

The gatehouse restoration project will consist of the following tasks:

  • Restoring the gatehouse’s iron railing and gate
  • Conserving the historic shutters
  • Painting the exterior of the gatehouse
  • Sealing the basement
  • Repairing the masonry of the outbuildings and a connecting wall

The project will stabilize historical materials and return them to a more original condition, said John Castle, Winterthur’s director of facilities, who will oversee the project.

“This work will significantly improve the appearance of a prominent symbol of the Winterthur estate,” Castle said.

Save America’s Treasures requires applicants to match the grant money dollar-for-dollar with nonfederal funding.

“We’re thrilled that this funding will allow us to immediately begin this work, most of which will be completed by the summer of 2025,” added Danielle Dougherty, Winterthur’s assistant director of grants management.

These grants preserve and conserve nationally significant properties and collections to tell a more complete story of America and its people, said NPS Director Chuck Sams.

“Preserving these historic places and collections ensures the generations of today and tomorrow can enjoy and learn from the diverse stories across time and place in America’s history,” Sams said.

ABOUT WINTERTHUR MUSEUM, GARDEN & LIBRARY

Winterthur—known worldwide for its preeminent collection of American decorative arts, naturalistic garden, and research library for the study of American art and material culture— offers a variety of tours, exhibitions, programs, and activities throughout the year.

Winterthur is located on Route 52, six miles northwest of Wilmington, Delaware, and five miles south of U.S. Route 1. Winterthur is committed to accessible programming for all. For information, including special services, call 800.448.3883 or visit winterthur.org.