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National Park Service grant to help restore Winterthur gatehouse

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.

Sprinkling Magic at Winterthur: A Festive Ornament Hunt

Please note: As of 12/19/23, our guests have collected all of the free ornaments that were placed around the estate as part of this initiative.

Samara Weaver often wanders the region during the holidays with her 5-year-old daughter, wearing crowns on their heads and leaving gifts in the Wilmington area for people to take for free.

Now she’s bringing that magical touch to Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library for Yuletide.

Inspired by the joy of giving, Weaver will spread holiday cheer by placing handcrafted ornaments throughout the Winterthur estate for guests to discover and take home as cherished keepsakes.

The Enchanting Hunt

As you stroll along the walking paths of Winterthur between the Visitor Center, the historic 175-room home of Henry Francis du Pont, and the captivating Galleries, keep a keen eye out for the beautifully crafted ornaments that Samara personally made. These delightful treasures, each a unique creation, will be waiting to be discovered and claimed by lucky finders.

Diverse Artistry

Weaver is a previous participant in Winterthur’s annual Artisan Market and a featured artist in the upcoming Transformations exhibition opening on June 8, 2024.

Weaver brings a diverse range of artistic styles to her ornament collection. Starting her initiative on November 18, Weaver engaged Winterthur’s guests in crafting paper snowflakes, which now adorn a tree in the Visitor Center.

These snowflakes also serve as the inspiration for imprints on clay (ceramic) ornaments strategically placed throughout the estate. Additionally, some ornaments feature intricate designs inspired by the architectural elements found in and around Winterthur, adding a touch of historical charm to this festive endeavor.

“I use many different mediums, including paper, watercolor, clay, wood, photography, glass, wool (felt), dyes, oil paint, and metal,” Weaver says of her art. “Using these different mediums allows me to choose the best one for the project I’m working on.”

Weaver graduated with her master’s in architecture in 2013 from Tyler School of Art and Architecture in Philadelphia. After graduating, she worked in architecture and construction while continuing to develop her unique artistic voice using multiple mediums. In 2017, she took the leap to working for herself and started Design Hues, specializing in large floral installations. In 2018, Weaver applied to and was accepted to a juried show at the Delaware Art Museum.

She says showing her work at the museum was a pivotal turning point in her artistic career. She shifted her focus to her art full-time, creating and selling her artwork, functional ceramics, and porcelain jewelry.

Join the Fun

The spirit of Sprinkle Magic extends beyond a simple scavenger hunt. Weaver’s initiative is a celebration of community, creativity, and the joy of giving. By leaving these handcrafted treasures for Winterthur’s guests to discover, she hopes to foster a sense of shared joy and appreciation for the holiday season.

Much like an old-fashioned scavenger hunt, Sprinkle Magic is designed purely for fun and holiday joy. It’s an opportunity for Winterthur’s visitors to engage in a heartwarming adventure, discovering the beauty of the estate while collecting unique ornaments created with care and creativity. So, come, explore, and let Winterthur’s Sprinkle Magic brighten your holiday season!

Fashioned from the Garden

Transforming Natural Materials into Fashion Inspired by the Work of Ann Lowe

By Kim Collison

Shoes shaped from leaves and adorned with seed pod heels. A larger-than-life dress crafted from textiles and greenery and bursting with every floral shape. These Transformations works by local artists Lenny Wilson and Katya Roelse join staff-created trees and couture fashion designs for this year’s Yuletide display, inspired by our exhibition Ann Lowe: American Couturier. As part of Transformations: Contemporary Artists at Winterthur, they are the latest in a series of contemporary works reflecting artists’ connection to Winterthur’s collections. 

Vivid colors and creative patterns found both indoors and out throughout the Winterthur garden and the collection have inspired floral artists and creators for decades, so it comes as no surprise that the couture works by Ann Lowe in the Galleries have also brought fresh creative vision to many. Henry Francis du Pont said, “I have always loved flowers and had a garden as a child, and in almost every flowering plant there is order, proportion, color, detail and material, and if you have grown up with flowers and really seen them, you can’t help to have unconsciously absorbed an appreciation of [these things].” Surely Ann Lowe could relate to this sentiment, as  most of her work features colorful floral elements, including fabric-sculpted roses trailing the length of a dress, Bermuda lilies framing the neckline of a bridal gown, and delicately “fussy-cut” floral appliques hemming a 1930s dress.

No shoes appear with Lowe’s designs, but three pairs of nature-inspired shoes created by Delaware native Lenny Wilson are on view just outside the exhibition. Wilson learned to make shoes at a leather-trades college in London before beginning a career in public horticulture. His artwork combines shoemaking with horticulture, resulting in life-size shoes made from plant leaves and seed pods—a unique biographical expression.  

He says, “I believe shoes are a symbol of good luck. Archeologists have found shoes among the ruins of ancient homes that were placed in the walls by their inhabitants. Shoes have been tied to the back bumpers of cars of couples that were ‘just married.’ Dorothy’s ruby slippers protected her and transported her back to safety. Shoes reveal a lot about a person. To walk a mile in another’s shoes is to gain familiarity to that person’s experiences. Even though these shoes have never been worn, they assume a personality all their own.”

Like Wilson’s shoes, the vibrant dress outside the Galleries abounds with personality. A combination of greenery and fabric, it shares design elements with the bridal gown Ann Lowe created for Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy’s wedding. Designed by Katya Roelse, who recreated Kennedy’s wedding dress on view in Ann Lowe: American Couturier, the 8-foot-tall dress incorporates the gown’s iconic fabric rosettes and features the many  floral creations, construction techniques, and decorative elements Lowe used in other gowns. Roelse, an instructor in the Fashion and Apparel Program at the University of Delaware, explains, “I wanted to create a dress that showcases what might have been Ann Lowe’s unbridled imagination and her favorite sources of inspiration. If you look closely enough, it drops clues about her work and the Kennedy gown. You see details about the Kennedy gown that you may not be able to see otherwise.”

On your Yuletide visit, come to the Galleries. Admire Roelse’s artistry in both gowns. Be enchanted by Wilson’s whimsical shoe creations. Explore the gardens and grounds of Winterthur and be inspired as well!

The Art of Tablescaping

By Rachel Schmid

When planning a table setting, I like to think about the feeling I want my guests to have, not only when they see the table for the first time but also while they enjoy their meal. I want to encourage conversation by creating a festive, welcoming, and comfortable space. The rules for setting a table have been rewritten countless times over the years, and most people believe that there are three main styles of table settings: basic, casual, and formal. When I create a tablescape, I prefer to blend the three, drawing elements from each to make my visitors feel like they are both honored guests and close friends.

Porto Table Runner, $50

Porto Napkins, Set of 2, $40

Mini Cordless Table Lamp, $149

I choose my linens first, based on the occasion or season. In the spring and summer months, I prefer to keep things lighter, reflecting the airy nature of the weather. In the autumn and winter months, I gravitate toward moodier tones and heavier fabrics, often layering linens and patterns for added coziness.

Flora Fauna Platter, $133

Green Cucina Fresca Tray, $45

Wild Fox Condiment Bowl, $35

Small Green Glazed Cake Stand, $46

Horn Tray, $28

Horn Finish Salt & Pepper Shakers, $20

Stone Pitchers on Pine Tray, Four-piece Set, $62

After the cloths are in place, I create the centerpiece. The centerpiece is the showstopper of a table setting, the focal point that will capture your guests’ attention. When planning a centerpiece, I keep three things in mind: height, texture, and lighting. I also build centerpieces in levels. First is the base, the lowest level. Then comes the middle level, which sits just above the base. Last is the top level, which is the highest. Using this structure helps elevate the setting and move the guests’ eyes upward to what is typically the most impressive part of the table. However, I never want to obscure anyone’s vision, so I choose narrower items for the tallest pieces or place them where I know they won’t be in the way.

Aged Bronze Cobbled Pitcher, $90

Mushroom Platter, $133

Glazed Ceramic Quails, Set of 3, $25

Antiqued Brass Footed Bowl, $50

April Amber Glass Vase, $18

Gold Standing Deer Figure, $55

Gold Feeding Deer Figure, $50

At the base, I like to use a simple garland for texture and a pop of color. I add smaller odds and ends, such as butter dishes and salt and pepper shakers. For the middle level, I will include a central element, such as a decorative figure or a bowl filled with small pumpkins. Adding lighting also creates extra ambiance. While candles are a classic choice, I enjoy using cordless table lamps, as they are low-profile and modern, and I don’t have to worry about wax drippings! Finally, I will add the top level, which typically has a tall but slender vase and a seasonal flower arrangement.

Vita Gold Vase, $40

Faux Pom Pom Bush Spray, $19

Mixed Pheasant Feather Spray, $21

Faux Dried Red Hydrangea Spray, $12

After the centerpiece is complete, I place my dishes and glasses. I like to keep the layout simple yet elevated, using a charger, a dinner plate, and, depending on the menu, a salad plate or small bowl. These elements are also perfect for playing with color or mixing patterns, adding dimension and interest. If the gathering is casual, the napkins will be folded flat to the side with flatware resting on top. If the mood is formal, the napkins will be folded on the plates in a decorative manner, such as fanned, knotted, or bowtie.

Wood Slice Paper Placemats, Pack of 12, $38

Scoop Stainless Steel Flatware, Five-piece Set, $125

Flora Fauna Plates, Set of 4, $200

Autunno Salad Plates, Set of 4, $195

Next, I choose my glassware. I like to include a variety but will limit my selection to three styles to minimize clutter. My go-to choices are wine glasses, cordial glasses, and water tumblers, creating a simple sophistication. Glassware offers yet another opportunity to add an accent of color, though I always make sure my glasses coordinate with each other. Once the glasses are in place, the table is complete! Now all that’s left is to enjoy.

Regalia Wine Glasses, Set of 4, $300

Regalia Cordial Glasses, Set of 4, $205

Amber Murano Glass Tumbler, $110

You can recreate our autumn tablescape with these unique and beautiful items from our Museum Store.

Winterthur’s e-commerce shop is not ready yet, but we are still here to help. To purchase any of these or similar items, visit our Museum Store Tuesday–Sunday, 10:00 am–5:00 pm. You can also take advantage of our shopping concierge service! Simply call 302.888.4822 or email museumstore@winterthur.org, and our staff will help you select the item. Admission to Winterthur is not required to visit the Museum Store.

A Gingerbread Wonderland

The Witch’s Hat is another of many features from Winterthur’s Enchanted Woods that is recreated in a 4-by-8-foot gingerbread display for Yuletide at Winterthur.

Combine the warmth of a holiday culinary classic with the magic of Winterthur’s Enchanted Woods, and what do you get? A breathtaking 4-by-8-foot replica of the whimsical three-acre children’s garden, meticulously crafted from gingerbread. This 147-pound masterpiece, a highlight of Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library’s Yuletide celebration, transports visitors into a fairyland of delight, through January 7, 2024.

The Culinary Artistry

For weeks, the skilled hands of eight artisans from Bredenbeck’s Bakery in Philadelphia have toiled to create this edible marvel. A follow-up to last year’s impressive gingerbread rendition of the 175-room mansion at Winterthur, this year’s sculpture has been a labor of love for Bredenbeck’s head sugar artist Diana Anello and bakery co-owners Jacob Boyd and Irvin Boyd.

Diana Anello, head sugar artist at Bredenbeck’s Bakery, shows her progress in early November 2023 creating a replica of Winterthur’s Enchanted Woods to Jason Brudereck, Winterthur’s head of PR.

Diana’s Dedication

Diana alone poured over 100 hours into designing and assembling this edible wonder. Her passion is evident as she shared, “I wake up thinking about it. I dream about it.” This sentiment extends to the entire team, whose collective effort involved not only baking and constructing but also infusing the project with dedication and creativity.

Enchanted Inspiration

Drawing inspiration from Enchanted Woods, Diana’s journey began in July when she first visited the children’s garden to envision the gingerbread gem. “There were so many kids here enjoying it,” Diana said of Enchanted Woods. “It was a real magical fairyland experience.” Recalling the atmosphere filled with joyous children, Diana’s eyes sparkled as she helped deliver the finished product to the museum recently. This year’s sculpture includes a functioning water element, illuminated structures, five hidden fairies, and 44 snowflakes adding to the enchantment.

The Fairy Cottage is another of many features from Winterthur’s Enchanted Woods that is recreated in a 4-by-8-foot gingerbread display for Yuletide at Winterthur.

The Legend of Enchanted Woods

Enchanted Woods, designed to appear as though crafted by fairies, weaves its own tale, free of references to popular children’s stories, which makes the garden feel timeless, a blank slate that children can paint with the full power of their imaginations. Its creation myth speaks of the fairies and sprites—missing the laughter of children who once played there—gathering artifacts from the Winterthur estate to build a spellbinding haven.

Gingerbread Adventure

A feast for the eyes and a treat for the imagination, each element of Enchanted Woods comes to life in gingerbread form. Wander among the enticing Story Stones, cross the Troll Bridge, say hi to Harvey the frog at Water’s Edge, navigate the intricate Fairy Flower Labyrinth, follow the S-s-serpentine Path, visit the delightful Faerie Cottage, explore Frog Hollow, enter the Tulip Tree House, have a party at the Acorn Tearoom, jump into the Bird’s Nest, and discover the secrets of the Green Man’s Lair.

The Fairy Ring is just one of many features from Winterthur’s Enchanted Woods that is recreated in a 4-by-8-foot gingerbread display for Yuletide at Winterthur.

Recently, the Atlas Obscura podcast devoted an episode to Enchanted Woods. During that 11-minute segment, you can hear the history of the spellbinding children’s garden from Winterthur’s director, Chris Strand.

Beyond the Gingerbread Wonderland

The enchantment doesn’t end with the gingerbread sculpture. Winterthur’s Yuletide celebration is inspired by the current Ann Lowe: American Couturier exhibition, featuring custom fashion by Delaware designers Shawn Baron Pinckney and Asata Maisé Beeks, whose creations reflect the history of Winterthur and the design sensibilities of Lowe and Winterthur founder Henry Francis du Pont. The Yuletide Tour showcases Winterthur’s signature traditions, including the Dried-Flower Tree, and new displays such as Christmas trees inspired by Ann Lowe gowns, and a spectacularly set Christmas dinner table.

Holiday Extravaganza

As part of the Yuletide experience, the Museum Store beckons with daily holiday shopping, offering unique home décor, gifts, jewelry, and more that celebrate Winterthur’s beauty both indoors and out.

This holiday season, the fashion artistry, the festive décor, and the gingerbread masterpiece depicting Enchanted Woods invite visitors to step into a world of imagination and wonder, making this Yuletide celebration truly extraordinary.

Object Highlight: Animal Box

November is American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month and we’re highlighting a unique object in our collection from an indigenous maker. A Native American carver of the Yup’ik (or Cup’ik) culture created this small, lidded box and the visual evidence inside indicates it served its owner for a long period of time. Animal form boxes (“yaassiik”) had many possible uses, including holding harpoon heads and fishing tools, mineral pigments, arrow points, mask parts, and other small items. The maker sculpted a transformative shape, a seal with the concave cheeks of a fish head, with flippers carved in low relief on either side and vertical tail flukes carved in the round.

The animal’s facial features are accented with inlayed elements, including horn and the ivory teeth of a small mammal in the open mouth. The conforming, curved lid rests on the opening of the hollowed-out interior cavity forming the box. It may have once been fastened by a sinew or tie. A set of three short lines carved on the top of the lid near one end is possibly a symbol used by the box’s owner’s. The later English inscription on the underside was likely added by a Euro-American collector or antiques dealer.

Box (Animal)
Yup’ik or Cup’ik Artist (Maker)
Alaska, United States, North America; 1850-1900
Wood; Ivory (tooth); Bone; Horn; Paint
Bequest of Henry Francis du Pont 1965.1840 A, B

Yuletide at Winterthur will be a stylish season

WINTERTHUR, DE (November 1, 2023) – Yuletide at Winterthur brings the wonder and delight of the season to life from November 18, 2023, to January 7, 2024. Prepare to be captivated by a spellbinding celebration of American elegance and holiday spirit, infused with the style of the current exhibition, Ann Lowe: American Couturier.

Yuletide and the Ann Lowe exhibition are included with admission.

Fashion Meets Tradition

Yuletide at Winterthur showcases the seamless blend of fashion and history with custom designs by Delaware-based couturiers Shawn Baron Pinckney and Asata Maisé Beeks, paying homage to the design sensibilities of Winterthur founder Henry Francis du Pont and iconic fashion designer Ann Lowe. On December 6, from 6 pm‒7:30 pm, guests will be able to take a tour of the mansion and then chat with Pinckney and Beeks in the Galleries Reception Area or the Lowe exhibition afterward for “Meet the Artists” night.

Delaware-based couturier Shawn Baron Pinckney is shown beside one of his Ann Lowe-inspired dresses, as he designs it for Yuletide at Winterthur.

The mansion will be adorned in all its holiday finery, featuring our signature attractions including the show-stopping Dried-Flower Tree, artistic Christmas trees inspired by Ann Lowe gowns, and a spectacular table set for Christmas dinner. This year’s Yuletide Tour will evoke the splendor and design influence of florals in fashion.

Decorated trees, evoking both the magic of the season and the designs from the Ann Lowe: American Couturier exhibition, will be on display during Yuletide.

Key Features and Activities

  • Exquisite Exhibits: Marvel at Ann Lowe’s legacy through her timeless creations and explore specially designed trees inspired by her designs, including an 8-foot-tall dress made of flowers at the Galleries entrance, designed by the fashion instructor who recreated Jackie Kennedy’s wedding dress for the Lowe exhibition.
  • Enchanting Decor: Wander through Winterthur’s grounds illuminated with lit trees, and tour the house, where breathtaking decorations evoke the magic of the season.
  • Special Events: Join us for enchanting events, including a one-man captivating rendition of “A Christmas Carol” by the great-great-grandson of literary master Charles Dickens, the OperaDelaware Holiday Candlelight Performance, Holiday Joy by the Wilmington Ballet, and Brunch with Santa.
  • Family Fun: Delight in family-friendly activities, including a gingerbread recreation of Enchanted Woods, our dollhouse, and a craft area, all season long, plus a toy train display from December 22 to January 2.
Join us for “Twelve Days of Christmas,” a festive toy train display for your child and “inner child.” Open December 22 to January 2.

During Yuletide, Winterthur is open seven days a week with extended hours on Wednesday evenings. Winterthur is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Tickets can be purchased on-site or online at Winterthur.org.

The Museum Store is open daily for holiday shopping, featuring unique home décor, gifts, jewelry, and more that celebrate Winterthur’s beauty, indoors and out.

The media is invited to download photos and a file on photo captions at this link.

Beyond the Holidays

Winterthur offers a year-round destination for art and culture enthusiasts and scholars. Explore the museum’s unparalleled collection of nearly 90,000 American decorative arts objects displayed in the magnificent 175-room house. The 1,000 acres of protected meadows, woodlands, ponds, and waterways provide stunning views throughout the year. Winterthur is also home to a vibrant array of programs, including lectures, concerts, and live performances, making it a hub for the study of American art and culture.

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.