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Journey Through a Jug: Decoding Design

Opening September 2025 in the Society of Winterthur Fellows Gallery

Explore a 145-year-old jug that once sat on the shelves of a Boston china and glass store. By looking closely at each decorative detail and by considering the time and place that this jug was popular, what at first glance might seem odd or puzzling will unravel to tell the tale of the “Longfellow jug.” By the time you leave the gallery, you will have answers to questions such as, Why do things look the way that they do? How did they come to look that way? What can we learn from an object’s design and decoration? You’ll be ready to ask these same questions of other objects at Winterthur and beyond.

Bringing the “Afric-American Picture Gallery” to Life for the First Time

Bringing the “Afric-American Picture Gallery” to Life for the First Time: Winterthur Presents Exhibition Inspired by 19th-Century Essay by Black Educator and Journalist

WINTERTHUR, DE (February 5, 2025)—Almost Unknown, The Afric-American Picture Gallery, a new exhibition at Winterthur inspired by a 19th-century essay by William J. Wilson, a free Black journalist and educator, will be on view starting May 3, 2025. Interpreted by curator and historian Jonathan Michael Square, the exhibition presents—for the first time ever—the gallery imagined by Wilson.

Square has assembled drawings, paintings, sculptures, and objects from across the Winterthur collections to represent Wilson’s gallery and Black life in the United States and across the Diaspora. The exhibition is on view May 3, 2025–January 4, 2026.

Wilson’s essay “The Afric-American Picture Gallery” was published in 1859 under the pen name “Ethiop” as a series of installments in the Anglo-African Magazine. It describes an imagined gallery space that Ethiop has curated. He leads a tour of the artworks that both celebrate and critique the experience of free and enslaved Black Americans in the 19th century.

Square was invited to Winterthur to develop an exhibition that aligned with his scholarship and interests, drawing from Winterthur’s collection of nearly 90,000 decorative art objects. This multifaceted exhibition presents Wilson’s envisioned gallery and sheds light on stories that have long been overlooked in American museums and history.

“William J. Wilson’s essay is a curious text that challenges us to consider our past, reflect on our present, and imagine a more inclusive future,” said Square. “The objects visitors will see may not be the exact ones that Wilson described. Instead, they reflect my reading of the text and its relevance today as it is revealed in the Winterthur collection.”

Almost Unknown brings to light what Wilson’s essay described as an “almost unknown Gallery” by sharing objects from Winterthur’s collection. They include a silhouette attributed to Moses Williams, a modest trivet made in early America in the form of an African symbol, and copies of Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin and Phillis Wheatley’s Poems on Various Subjects, among others.

Jonathan Michael Square is assistant professor of Black Visual Culture at Parsons School of Design. He holds a Ph.D. from New York University, an M.A. from the University of Texas at Austin, and a B.A. from Cornell University. He was previously a lecturer in the Committee on Degree in History and Literature at Harvard University and a fellow in the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He curated Past is Present: Black Artists Respond to the Complicated Histories of Slavery at the Herron School of Art and Design (2022–23), Freedom from Truth: Self Portraits of Nell Painter (2019–20), Odalisque Atlas: White History as Told Through Art (2019–20), and Slavery in the Hands of Harvard (2019). He has been published extensively in academic journals and popular press. A proponent in the power of social media as a platform for radical pedagogy, Square founded and runs the digital humanities project Fashioning the Self in Slavery and Freedom.

A special house tour will highlight Square’s interpretation of the essay. In addition, the symposium Looking Back to the Future: Realizing “The Afric-American Picture Gallery” will take place at Winterthur on November 14 and 15, 2025. The symposium is designed to engage a diverse audience including educators at both college and secondary levels, museum professionals, scholars and enthusiasts of African American history, and the wider community. The keynote speaker will be Fred Wilson, curator of Mining the Museum, the seminal 1992 exhibition at what is now the Maryland Center for History and Culture. Wilson used that museum’s collections to confront and challenge perceptions about history, culture, and race, and the installation continues to influence scholars and museum professionals today.

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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. Admission includes an introductory house tour, exhibitions, a narrated tram ride (weather and space permitting), and the Winterthur Garden.

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. Winterthur is closed seasonally from early January through late February.

Contact: Lisa McVey
lmcvey@winterthur.org
302.888.4803 O 484.888.1727 M

Memorializing Friendship

By El Clauss

Imagine you got a letter from your dear friend requesting a lock of your husband’s hair. Once you received it, you picked up a pair of scissors and cut not only a lock of his hair but also a lock of your own. After entwining them, you sent them off to your friend. Upon receiving the hair, your friend enclosed the locks in a brooch and engraved it with the story commemorating your friendship.

This probably sounds strange to us in the 21st century when we share photos with friends and family hundreds or thousands of miles away. However, prior to photography, exchanging locks of hair was a common token of friendship.

This is a true story about Mrs. Elizabeth Stoughton Wolcott of Connecticut. She was married to Oliver Wolcott Jr., the first auditor of the United States and the second treasurer after Alexander Hamilton. She wrote a letter to her close friend Martha Washington asking for a token of their friendship. It is said that Mrs. Washington instantly took her scissors and, with a happy smile, cut a large lock of her husband’s hair, added to it one of her own, and presented them to her “fair friend.” While we are unsure exactly when Mrs. Wolcott had a brooch made with the hair enclosed, it would have celebrated their friendship. However, when George Washington died it took on a new role: mourning jewelry.

Mourning brooch or pin
1797: Washington City, United States
Gold; Enamel on copper; Hair; Leather; Glass
Gift of Mrs. Paul Hammond 1962.0084

Mourning jewelry are unique personal adornments worn during a period of mourning to commemorate someone who died. Originating in the Middle Ages, this jewelry tradition grew in popularity and the designs changed greatly over the years. The jewelry could be a ring, a necklace, a cane handle, a watch fob, a bracelet, or a brooch and were worn by everyone regardless of gender. People gave them to close relatives and friends at a funeral, even leaving money in their will to pay for them. It was also common to use mourning jewelry to commemorate political figures like George Washington.

After Washington died, there was an outpouring of memorial pieces created to honor him. Winterthur features numerous examples in the collection, crafted in a wide variety of media. It can be argued that the brooch made for Mrs. Elizabeth Stoughton Wolcott, while perhaps not initially intended as mourning jewelry, would certainly have become one upon his death. Mrs. Wolcott would have felt honored not just by the token of friendship it represented but also by her ability to wear such an important piece of jewelry to honor the loss of President Washington. Thanks to her family treasuring the piece for generations before they donated it to Winterthur, we are now able to share in its rich history. In doing so, we memorialize not just George and Martha Washington but also their lasting friendship with the Wolcotts.

Caring For Your Collections: How to Protect and Preserve Your Family Heirlooms

Simple Tips for Home Care

You can take small steps at home to prevent damage and slow down deterioration of your cherished items. At Winterthur, and at other museums, we call this preventive conservation and have staff members dedicated specifically to that work. Preventive conservation is a lot like preventive medicine. Everything that is man-made or from nature decays; think of it as nature’s recycling plan. To protect and preserve the museum collection, our staff works to slow the rate of that decay by managing things like insects and pests, light exposure, and the environment via heating and air conditioning. Here are some tips that you can use at home:

1. Housekeeping

Good housekeeping is an important part of protecting items that you want to last. Cleaning inside includes regular dusting and vacuuming, and dry-cleaning fine clothes after use and before storage. Outside, cleaning gutters and downspouts to prevent leaks can all help. Dust holds moisture, which can rust metals and encourage mold growth.

2. Pest Control

Insects like dark, undisturbed spaces. If you clean regularly, you’ll probably spot early signs of an infestation, like insect droppings, which may just look like dust. If pests are eating your items, a thorough vacuuming can help. For example, carpet beetle larvae like to hide in cracks where hair and skin particles collect, so you may notice that your carpet has damage that follows the pattern of the flooring. For items that can withstand high heat, place them in a black trash bag and leave them in your car trunk while parked in direct sunlight for several hours to kill any pests.

3. Storage

We don’t recommend storing objects in attics or basements because it’s difficult to maintain a stable environment. Basements have issues with moisture and can flood, and attics can have seasonal temperature extremes; too cold temperatures can cause shrinking and cracking, while temperatures that are too hot can cause swelling and warping. Also, temperature and humidity work hand in hand and can cause chemical reactions and encourage mold or insect growth. We recommend storing cherished items in spaces that you live in and use.

4. Record Keeping

Write down the history of your items—who gave them to you, who is in the photos, and why they are important. This helps preserve their significance and keeps the information safe for future generations. Be sure to back up digital records and print copies for long-term use.

5. Storage Methods and Materials

Museum-quality storage materials are often called archival, acid-free, or buffered, among other names. They can be expensive for homeowners, but you can use everyday items you already have instead. For example, undyed/unbleached cotton pillowcases can protect a quilt, and rolled towels can be used to store a rolled carpet. If you need a more rigid storage method for rollable items, use a poster tube covered in aluminum foil, which acts as a barrier against moisture.

6. Light Protection

We all know that ultraviolet light is bad; it causes sunburn and can accelerate fading on some materials. Regular visible light, the light we use to see, can also cause slow, cumulative damage. It may take years to notice the subtle changes. To protect sensitive items like basketry and wood, textiles, and works on paper, avoid displaying them in direct sunlight. Use curtains, shades, or window films (replace every 15 years) to limit exposure to harmful light. You may also want to have covers made for your framed object so that when you aren’t enjoying the work and displaying it, it’s completely covered. 

For more tips, check out our book Caring for Your Cherished Objects, available in the Winterthur Museum Store.

See also our Hazardous Objects blog, the first in our Caring For Your Collections Blog Series.

Other useful links:

Winterthur Décor Rental Pieces

Discover wedding and event rental items inspired by Winterthur’s timeless charm and refined aesthetic. Add these unique elements and elevate your celebration.

Cast-Iron Fire Pit Bowl

  • Cast-iron fire pit bowl that is both classic and charming. Includes benches or tree stumps for seating. Great for creating a cozy setting or roasting marshmallows.
  • $250 per fire pit

Rustic American Oak Wine Barrel

  • American oak wine barrels perfect for small cocktail tables, rustic décor, or the base for a bar or table. 
  • 22″ wide x 36″ high
  • $65 per barrel

Parisian-inspired Market Stand

  • Parisian-inspired market stand that is perfect for welcome cocktail, gift table, or any other way to add flare to the evening. 
  • 6′  long x 3 1/2′  wide x 40″  high 
  • $350 per stand

Barrel Bar with Wood Live Edge

  • Wine barrels with live-edge wood table top. Perfect for bars, grazing tables, escort cards, dessert tables, and more!
  • 7′ long
  •  $220 per barrel bar

Chiavari Gold Chairs

  • Wooden Chiavari chair in classic gold finish with subtle metallic sheen with tan cushion included. 
  • 16″ wide x 3″ high
  • $12 per chair

Flameless Candles

  • Illuminate your evening with hundreds of flameless candles. Various sizes available (4″, 5″ and 7″).
  • $2 per candle

Market Umbrellas

  • Market umbrella available in navy and/or ivory. 9′ high
  • $65 per umbrella

Damage and setup fee: 15% of total rental expense

Caring for Your Collections

Whether they are tracking pests, finding poison books, fixing a broken porcelain teacup, or preserving historic wallpaper, the conservators at Winterthur combine their knowledge of art, science, and history to preserve our cultural heritage.

Tucked away in a separate building and often unseen by the thousands of visitors to the museum and garden, our team of eighteen specialists includes conservators, scientists, technicians, and other experts who focus on conserving a wide array of objects, including furniture, paper, textiles, paintings, library materials, architectural elements, garden furniture and ornaments, and more. They care for more than 90,000 objects and more than one million library holdings, all while consulting with other institutions and educating the next generation of conservators.

The preventive conservation team also manages all collections storage and display spaces across the estate. Known worldwide for its expertise in conservation, the department, with its on-site state-of-the-art Scientific Research and Analysis Laboratory, uses its expertise to advance scholarship, scientific education, and conservation research  within and beyond the Winterthur collection.

Graduate programs, lab tours, public events, school programs, and community conservation clinics are all part of the team’s commitment to education and outreach. In Caring for Your Cherished Objects: The Winterthur Guide, a recently published book, our conservators offer practical advice on how to protect your belongings, including tips on proper storage and display. The guide helps readers understand which items are most fragile and how to avoid damaging them.

This blog series shares the best ways to care for objects, drawn from the book. You’ll find advice for handling and storing books, artwork, textiles, and photographs, and additional tips on topics like the opening blog about identifying harmful materials in collections. We want you to get a behind-the-scenes look at the fascinating world of conservation and inspire you to care for your own cherished items. 

Hazardous Objects

Why would someone collect things that are hazardous, you might be wondering. Most don’t do it intentionally. During the 19th century, advances in manufacturing led to the use of more hazardous substances. So, some objects are dangerous on their own because of the materials that they are made from. Others become risky over time as their materials degrade.

Common objects that could be hazardous include:

  • Firearms: These may still contain explosives and be dangerous.
  • Tin and mercury amalgam mirrors: Over time, these can release liquid mercury.
  • Lead objects: Handling lead items can leave behind harmful residues.
  • Arsenic green: This colorant, often found in book cloth and historical papers, can turn into a powder that’s hazardous when touched.
  • Uranium glass: This glass releases small amounts of radiation.
  • Dyed or printed textiles: These may contain harmful chemicals like arsenic, lead, and chromium from their production process.
  • Wool and other animal-based fibers: If they were treated with pesticides, harmful residues can remain on the material, which can be transferred to your hands and skin.

In addition, organic materials like textiles, feathers, fur, and plants are sometimes treated with pesticides that contain heavy metals or solvents, adding another layer of risk. Even objects that seem safe might be dangerous due to contamination, such as leather bags that may contain lead shot from use.

How to determine if an object is hazardous:

To determine if an object is hazardous, there are several signs to look for, even if you don’t have access to special equipment.

  • Condition of Organic Objects: If objects like textiles, wool, feathers, or botanical items are in perfect condition with no signs of pest damage, they may have been treated with  pesticides. The presence of a strong smell could mean that the object has been treated to keep pests away.
  • Mirrors: If you have a mirror from the 19th century or earlier, check for a blue-gray hue and signs of fading reflection. This could mean it was made with a tin/mercury amalgam, which can release mercury droplets over time. Mirrors made after 1850 typically do not contain mercury.
  • Vibrant Dyes: Some older textiles, especially those in bright colors or certain shades of green, might contain arsenic, lead, or chromium. These substances are usually bound to the fabric, so they are generally safe to touch, but it’s recommended to wear gloves as a precaution. Books made with arsenic-based dyes can sometimes be identified visually.

What to do if you suspect a hazardous object:

If you think you have a hazardous object in your home, don’t worry! Most objects can be handled safely with a few precautions:

  • Keep it out of reach of children or pets: If the object is accessible to children or animals, move it to a safer place, such as a locked cabinet or box, and label it as hazardous.
  • Protect yourself: Wear gloves when handling any potentially hazardous organic objects, as they may have been treated with chemicals. If you don’t have gloves, wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling.
  • Firearms: If you have a historic firearm, have it checked by your local police or a firearms expert to make sure it is not loaded or dangerous.
  • Repurposing: If you plan to reuse these materials for something else, think about how they will be handled and whether they could pose a risk.
  • Consult a conservator: You can bring your objects to Winterthur’s Conservation Clinic, which is held in September, October, November, December, March, and April, for a professional assessment of their safety. 

Explore more!

Visit our Conversations with the Collection exhibition in the Galleries beginning March 1 to learn more about how we deal with hazards at Winterthur!

Interested in visiting the Conservation labs? Join one of our monthly behind-the-scenes tours! 

Sign up for a free consultation with our conservation staff and students to learn about how to take care of your family treasures. 

Useful links:

Winterthur Point-to-Point Steeplechase

The 47th Annual Point-to-Point Races | Sunday, May 4, 2025

A glorious day of steeplechase racing!

Join us for an exciting and festive day that has it all—steeplechase racing, pageantry, and fun for the entire family—even the pups! The sights and sounds will thrill spectators while the Winterthur Hunt area will entertain with games and activities for all ages.

Tailgate Parking Spaces & Tailgate Tents

Tailgate parking spaces start at $300, and Tailgate parking spaces with tents start at $750; both include four adult guest wristbands. Additional guest wristbands are available for purchase: $60 guest; $30 under 21; children under 10 free, wristband required. See our map for tailgate space options.

Purchase Tailgate Parking Spaces & Wristbands

Member Wristbands

Winterthur Members can pack a picnic and enjoy the races on Members Hill. Individual Member wristbands are $60.

Purchase Member Wristbands

 

Guest Parking Options

Guest parking is free for wristband holders. Shorten your walk by purchasing closer parking. Premium Parking North $25/car; Premium Parking South $50/car (limited quantities).

 

Let Us Entertain You!

Photos by Tisa Della-Volpe, SoDel Concepts, and Santa Fe Mexican Grill.

Hunt Brunch Tent

Reserve a table of ten for $2,500 or purchase an individual wristband for $300 per person to watch the races by the finish line. Includes event admission for guests 21 years or older, bountiful buffet with full bar, VIP parking, and other amenities. View menu. For reservations, please call 302.888.4994.

Bluecoast Rail Tent by SoDel Concepts

Enjoy the races from a private tent on the rail while enjoying food and beverage from SoDel Concepts’ flagship restaurant, Bluecoast Seafood Grill, for $175 per person. Includes event admission for guests 21 years or older and VIP parking. View menu. Limited availability! Secure your spot.

Family-Friendly Fiesta Tent

Celebrate in style! Families will enjoy a taco bar, assorted appetizers, desserts, and non-alcoholic beverages for $79 per adult, $49 per guest under 21. Includes event admission. The cash bar features our signature race day margarita, beer, and wine. Sponsored by Santa Fe Mexican Grill. View menu. Limited availability! Secure your spot.

Get Race Ready

Images courtesy of David Dobson.

Trunk Show | April 10

See top-trending Point-to-Point 2025 styles in hats and fascinators as you enjoy light bites at the Wilmington Country Store in Greenville. One-on-one personal wardrobe sessions with an experienced stylist will be offered, and a design professional will be on hand to help you select the perfect headwear for Point-to-Point. Free gift with purchase.

Saddle Up for Happy Hour | April 11, 4:00–6:00 pm

Get a jump on the big event at Bluecoast Seafood Grill Happy Hour in Rehoboth Beach! Enjoy the 2025 signature Point-to-Point cocktail—Tito’s Tailgate Tumbler—and sample bites from the menu on the patio.

Sunday Fun Day at Oh So Molly | April 13, 10:00 am–4:00 pm

Shop for your Point-to-Point outfit and save 15% on dresses. Enjoy light refreshments plus giveaways of Point-to-Point swag and wristbands.

Take Your Best Shot at Santa Fe

Share a picture of yourself at the Santa Fe Mexican Grill and win entry for four to the Santa Fe Fiesta Tent at this year’s Point-to-Point. Winner will be announced on April 15. Click here to enter the contest: https://www.santafemexicangrill.com/photo-contest

Look at Fashions and More

Point-to-Point fashions are a favorite feature of the day. Get an inside look at fashions, tailgating, beneficiaries, and the local history of the sport in the Steeplechase Look Book, a special supplement found in the spring issues of Delaware Today, Main Line Today, and The Hunt magazines.

Race Day Activities

Photos by Tisa Della-Volpe, Kirstie Donohue, and Eileen Tercha.

Special Book Signing

Kareem Rosser, Winterthur pony race jockey turned collegiate polo player of the year, returns to Point-to-Point for a book signing of his latest release When You’re Ready, a love story about two local young equestrians. Get your copy and meet Kareem in the Marketplace.

Bet Your Stable

When you play at Stable Duel, you’ll use your virtual wallet to build your stable of horses from the day’s races. The better your stable performs, the more fantasy points you earn for a chance to win real cash prizes! Sponsored by New American Funding.

Win Day Passes to Barefoot Country Music Fest

Gallop by the WDSD 94.7FM tent for a chance to win (4) four-day passes to the Barefoot Country Music Festival to be held June 19–22, featuring Jason Aldean, Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson, and more. One lucky Point-to-Point guest will head there this summer!

Race Day Classic Contest

Pair your finest chapeau with a race-day ensemble to envy, and our designated fashion experts will comb the crowd to find who is best dressed from head to toe. Two winners will receive a $250 gift card from Wilmington Country Store, and one winner will receive a hat or fascinator from Christine A. Moore Millinery.

Make Memories: Family and Children’s Photos

Remember race day with a complimentary digital image file (sized for sharing on social media) taken by nationally accredited photographer Kirstie Donohue. High-resolution digital files and prints available for purchase via an online gallery following the event.

Delaware Safety Council

Emphasizing the importance of driving safely since 1919, Delaware Safety Council urges you to designate a sober driver in your group whenever you are celebrating. Stop by their tent to obtain a Designated Driver wristband. Visit the teen SmartDrive tent for interactive games like “Impaired Baggo” with its impairment goggles. Visit DelawareSafety.org for online defensive driving courses or call 302.276.0660.

VID Tent | Betty Buzz Lounge

Visit Delaware Safety Council’s “Very Important Driver” tent to enjoy Betty Buzz mocktails! Choose between a faux-mojito and a faux-mint julep mocktail made with Blake Lively’s Betty Buzz non-alcoholic mixers.  Delaware Safety Council has partnered with Betty Buzz and the Kenny Family ShopRite Store locations to promote and reward designated drivers. Hourly drawings for a $100 ShopRite gift card. Stop by to enter!

Ramsey’s Farm Hayrides

Jump on the wagon for a complimentary short hayride for the family through Winterthur’s beauty. Ramsey’s Farm has been a Winterthur neighbor since 1860 and is known for its pumpkin patch and farm parties.

Stick Horse Races

Bring your own stick horse or grab one from our stable. Ages 4 and under 1:30 pm; Ages 5-7: 2:15 pm; Ages 8-10: 2:45 pm.

Rolls-Royce and Bentley Automobile Display by Keystone Rolls-Royce Owners Club

Don’t miss the magnificent gathering of historic models parked adjacent to the antique carriages and driven by the Keystone Region Rolls-Royce Club. 

Reins of Life

Decorate authentic horseshoes formerly worn by local racehorses and learn how you can participate with Reins of Life therapeutic horseback riding program. 

Delaware Blue Coats

2023 NBA G League champions are here with their Skee-Ball inflatable, free books, and giveaways.

Pony Rides by Cloverleaf Stables

Complimentary pony rides for ages 2 and up.  Meet the staff, their ponies, and horses. Contact information: 484.841.6230 

Canine Capers

VIP TAIL-gate Party for pet lovers and their furry family members. Come visit a variety of local pet stores, shelters, rescues, trainers, groomers, artists, and some adoptable pups!

Marketplace

Concessions

Be Our Guest

Bring your wristband back during the month of May to enjoy a day of complimentary general admission to Winterthur!

Getting There

Winterthur is located on Route 52 between I-95 and Route 1, six miles northwest of Wilmington, Delaware. For in-car GPS and online mapping services, use: 5105 Kennett Pike, Wilmington, DE 19807.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

 

Media Partners

 

Proud Tailgate Partners

2 Fat Guys

Janssen’s Market

Woodside Farm Creamery

Abel Aesthetics

Kid Shelleen’s

Brew Ha-Ha

Shoprite

Houppette

Wilmington Country Store

 

Advance sales only. All parking and admission must be purchased by May 3. No will call. No wristbands or tailgate credentials will be mailed after April 22. Event is rain or shine. No refunds.

Proceeds from Point-to-Point support environmental and land stewardship initiatives to care for, preserve, and protect the Winterthur Garden and the woodlands, meadows, and wetland habitats that surround it—nearly 1,000 acres of conserved land. We are grateful to our visitors and event supporters and encourage you to come back and explore this beautiful Brandywine Valley preserve.

Artisan Market

Save the Date! July 18-20, 2025

Spend a summer day—or the whole weekend—exploring Winterthur while shopping for artisan-made crafts and gifts. 

Some of the region’s most talented craftspeople will present their outstanding wares, including antiques and collectibles, furniture and home décor, upcycled items and architectural salvage, high-quality handmade crafts, vintage clothing and jewelry, artisanal and small-batch gourmet goods, original art in a variety of media, garden items, and much more!

Artisan Market reflects the mission of Winterthur by showcasing local artisans through a variety of handmade crafts relating to art, textiles, ceramics, glass, woodworking, antiques, and gardening. Each of these categories connects to Winterthur’s past, and we invite you to create your own history with us during this special weekend.

Artisan Applications

Artisan applications for this year’s Artisan Market are now closed. Apply for next year’s Artisan Market in January 2026.

Present your outstanding wares to more than 6,000 visitors this summer at the Artisan Market in the beautiful setting of Winterthur’s garden and estate.

Sponsorship Opportunities

The deadline for certain sponsorship levels will be April 11, 2025, to ensure that sponsorship information meets deadlines for printed materials. Learn more.

Grant Opportunities

A limited number of financial grants are available for artisans wishing to participate in Winterthur’s Artisan Market. Grants cover the cost of an artisan space in The Galleries for the entire Market weekend (July 18–20, 2025). To apply for a grant, please complete the application by March 10, 2025. Grant recipients will be notified by April 1. Learn more and apply.

More to Explore

100+ Artisans

Visit and shop from over 100 local artisans on-site.

Food & Drink

Indulge in a carefully curated selection of culinary offerings.

Live Music

Enjoy live music featured throughout the grounds.

Tours & More

Take a house tour and explore the galleries, garden, and estate. 

Featured Artisans

Artisan Market 2024 is a wrap! Thank you to all of the amazing vendors who made it possible. Looking to find a favorite from the event? Check out the our featured artisan archive below.

Visitor Center Patio

Clenny Run Lawn

West Gallery

Enchanted Woods

Market Bites | Greenhouse Area

Aspiring Artisans | Galleries Reception Area

How to Dry Flowers the Winterthur Way

Inspired by Henry Francis du Pont’s love of flowers, Winterthur’s Dried-Flower Tree is a phenomenon of color, texture, and floral artistry. Thousands of brillant spring and summer blooms are perfectly preserved throughout the year, reprising their roles each holiday season to delight spellbound visitors.

To create the “largest bouquet” ever made at Winterthur, we chose a wide variety of flowers and plant material from the Winterthur cutting gardens and fields and used two methods of drying: silica gel and hanging.

Silica Gel

One method for drying flower heads calls for “flower dri” (silica gel). Silica gel is a desiccant, a substance that has a great affinity for water; it rapidly absorbs moisture from flowers. The white powder has small blue crystals and is reusable indefinitely. As the powder absorbs moisture, the blue crystals turn pink, indicating that they can absorb no more moisture. Simply put silica gel in a 350-degree oven for an hour or so and the crystals will turn blue and be ready for another use.

General considerations with this method of drying:

  • All flowers should be absolutely fresh.
  • Dry flowers in several stages of bloom: buds, partially open, fully open, and some with foliage.
  • Before drying, flowers must be wired since they become fragile once dried.
  • Put similar types of plant material in the same box.
  • Flowers shrink when dried and many also darken.
  • Small, fragile flowers will take two or three days to dry.
  • Most will take five to seven days.
  • If the material feels slightly limp, it is not dry. Bury in the gel for several more days.

Steps to follow:

  1. Cut off flower heads.
  2. Insert wire through the center of the flower, loop, pull down through the flower head so that the head is secure.
  3. Place two inches flower dri in bottom of pan.
  4. Place flower head “heads up” in flower dri.
  5. Pour flower dri over flower heads and between each layer of petals. Cover completely.
  6. For long stems such as snapdragon and delphinium, place horizontally on flower dri. Cover completely.
  7. Cover and seal flowers in airtight pan.
  8. Mark flower type on pan.
  9. Allow ample time for flowers to dry.
  10. When flowers are dry, remove carefully. Gently pull flower heads up while dusting off flower dri.
  11. Store in covered box.
  12. Mark flower type on box.

Hanging Method

A second method of drying is hanging flowers in small bunches until dry.

Experience the beauty of Winterthur’s Dried-Flower Tree during Yuletide, and join us next year for an exciting lineup of floral classes and workshops!

Udderly Magnificent

This year’s gingerbread display is based on the farming operations that once formed a vital component of life at Winterthur when it was a private home. A dairy herd, animal husbandry, and agricultural crops were as integral then to the world of Winterthur as museum operations are today. 

Cows were a part of the Winterthur landscape from its earliest days, grazing contentedly in the shadow of the mansion. In 1917, Henry Francis du Pont purchased four bulls and two cows for the astounding sum of $70,000 (about $1.6 million today). The breed was Holstein-Friesian, considered to be the most prolific milkers. That group became known at Winterthur as the “Foundation Herd.”

To house the herd, du Pont constructed a huge barn complex at the top of Farm Hill. Staff included a farm manager, resident veterinarian, dairy manager, and herdsmen. A creamery across from the dairy barn could process 10,000 pounds of milk a day. An electric cable tramway capable of transferring six milk cans at a time connected the second level of the dairy barn to the top of the creamery, where the milk was sterilized and pasteurized before being sold as “Winterthur Special Holstein Milk” in bottles carrying the motto “Better Milk for Better Babies from Winterthur Farms.” The milk was celebrated throughout the local area for its high quality.

Following H. F. du Pont’s death in 1969, and per his instructions, the Winterthur herd was sold at auction, ending a memorable chapter in Winterthur’s history.

The gingerbread representation of Farm Hill includes the various barns, as well as some of the workers’ homes. Weighing in at more than 300 pounds, the display includes more than 108 pounds of gingerbread! It is the creation of the skilled hands of artisans from Bredenbeck’s Bakery in Philadelphia.

This is the third year that Bredenbeck’s has dazzled Yuletide visitors with their artistry. In 2022, they presented an impressive gingerbread house of the Winterthur mansion, followed by a model made to replicate Enchanted Woods. We are grateful to Bredenbeck’s head sugar artist Diana Anello and bakery co-owners Jacob Boyd and Irvin Boyd for this wonderful Yuletide display. Don’t miss it!

See the display on view through January 5, 2024 in the Galleries. Plan your visit today!