InUSA Tour Guide

Winterthur Museum & Gardens

Winterthur, Delaware
Nestled in the historic Brandywine Valley, Winterthur Museum displays the world's premier collection of American decorative arts of 1640 to 1860. The Winterthur Garden is a masterpiece of 20th-century American naturalism. The museum and garden were created by Henry Francis du Pont, who was born at Winterthur in 1880 and "always loved everything connected with it." Winterthur was his life's work, yet he often pointed out that the estate had been "loved and taken care of" by four generations of his family. Henry Francis du Pont died in 1969 at age 88, leaving the museum, garden, library and educational programs as his legacy. Today, Winterthur is a national treasure, providing education and enjoyment for all who visit.

GENERAL ADMISSION: Take a self-guided tour of the following 3 areas.

The Galleries. Tour the Galleries at your leisure. Discover how experts look at craftsmanship. Hands-on exhibits and audio aids in five languages enhance your enjoyment.

Touch-It Room. Visit the Touch-It Room on weekends and most afternoons. Play with a Jacob's ladder, a bean bag and other toys and objects like those used in 18th- and 19th-century homes. Pretend to be a shopkeeper in an 1830-style country store or host your own make-believe tea party in a colonial parlor setting. You really get the feel of life long ago.

Gardens. Winterthur's 985-acre property encompasses rolling hills, streams, meadows and forests. While growing up here, H F du Pont developed a scientific and aesthetic appreciation of nature that is the basis of his work in the garden. He gardened for more than 65 years, selecting the choicest plants from around the world to enhance the natural setting, arranging them in lyrical color combinations and carefully orchestrating a succession of bloom from late January to December. Stroll the garden or ride the year-round tram (space permitting) and disembark at each of the 11 special garden areas.

GUIDED TOURS: Take a formal guided tour of the following 3 areas for an additional fee to General Admission. Tour capacity is limited. We can guarantee your place on guided tours only if you have a reservation.

Introduction to Winterthur. Take this one-hour guided adventure through selected period rooms. Children of all ages welcome.

Decorative Arts Tours. In-depth one-hour and two-hour guided tours of period rooms available to adults and children 12 and up.

Garden Walks. Enjoy a guided garden walk, available seasonally. All ages welcome.

SHOPPING: An outstanding assortment of reproduction home furnishings and accessories, plants, books and gifts are available at the Winterthur Museum Stores on-site (302-888-4800) and in Alexandria, VA (703-684-6092).

DINING: Enjoy continental breakfast, lunch, Sunday Brunch and Afternoon Tea in the Visitor Pavilion. Open Tuesday-Sunday 8 am-4:30 pm. Reservations for tea and brunch are suggested (302-888-4826).

LOCATION: Route 52, Winterthur, Delaware. Phone 800-448-3883 or 302-888-4600, TDD 302-888-4907.

HOURS: Monday-Saturday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Sunday Noon to 5:00 pm. Last tour tickets sold 3:45 pm; last tour departs 4 pm. Garden is open until dusk. The Library is open Monday-Friday 8:30 am-4:40 pm. Open all year except July 4, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Same-day tickets for the guided tours go on sale at 9 am Tuesday-Saturday and 12 noon Sunday; sold until allotment is gone.

ADMISSION: General admission is $8 adults, $4 children 5-11; $6 groups, seniors and students; members and children under 5 free. Guided tours are $5, $9 or $13 more, depending upon tour. Group discounts are available for 20 or more people. Tours and prices are subject to change.

DIRECTIONS: Winterthur is located on Delaware Route 52 5 miles South of US Route 1, 6 miles NW of Wilmington, DE and 30 miles SW of Philadelphia, PA. Exit I-95 at Wilmington, DE and take Route 52 north to Winterthur.