Winterthur Mansion
When we finally arrived at the Winterthur Mansion (now a building complex housing the museum, galleries, period rooms, restoration research center, and gift shop) we took the "Elegant Entertaing Tour" of the house with our tour guide, Jenni. Equipped with a Moleskine and a pencil, not pen, we took notes on the construction of the famous estate of Henry Algernon du Pont and his son, Henry Francis du Pont. Henry Algernon built the house in the style of 18th and 19th century European homes during the beginning of the 20th century (a floor in the Empire Parlor was modelled after floors in Versailles--the Empire parlor was a room designed in the French Empire style by Henry Algernon). Henry Francis made various changes as the owner. As a fan of Americana, Henry Francis ripped out various elements of dilapidated American homes for antique paneling, staircases, fireplaces, furniture--any piece of Americana he wished to preserve. We saw antique wall hangings from Maryland, many of the sets from his tableware collection of 58, colonial teacups and numerous staircases. The staircases were interesting because although the house has nine floors, the staircases only go up as many floors as they were built for. If the original home the staircase was situated in had three floors, the staircase would be installed in Winterthur to go up three floors.
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Henry Francis decorated and collected while his wife threw glamorous parties for up to 70 people. Jenni told us that Mr. du Pont would often slip back when the party started. When guests arrived at Winterthur, Mr. du Pont wanted the house to be welcoming and warm--as if the guest were at home. He would personally arrange the furniture that way. However, we found that the fifth floor was mostly recreated for the tour. When the kitchen was removed at Mr. du Pont's request, design students redesigned the room where the kitchen stood with his pieces in an antique style. Several rooms were also redecorated for tour purposes, but many of the rooms in Winterthur were left as Mr. du Pont intended.
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The antique china in Mr. du Pont's collection was impressive. There were pieces from all over the country in various styles. Much of the china came from China, but the tableware was painted to appeal to patriotic colonial Americans. Interestingly, Mr. du Pont owned many pieces from George Washington's 300-piece set (pictures below). The rest is divided among Mount Vernon, other museums and private collectors.
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The furniture we saw was mostly American--with the exception of Henry Algernon's French Empire Parlor. The Federal style seemed particularly popular with Mr. du Pont--straightbacked furniture with clean-lines.
Henry Francis decorated and collected while his wife threw glamorous parties for up to 70 people. Jenni told us that Mr. du Pont would often slip back when the party started. When guests arrived at Winterthur, Mr. du Pont wanted the house to be welcoming and warm--as if the guest were at home. He would personally arrange the furniture that way. However, we found that the fifth floor was mostly recreated for the tour. When the kitchen was removed at Mr. du Pont's request, design students redesigned the room where the kitchen stood with his pieces in an antique style. Several rooms were also redecorated for tour purposes, but many of the rooms in Winterthur were left as Mr. du Pont intended.
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The antique china in Mr. du Pont's collection was impressive. There were pieces from all over the country in various styles. Much of the china came from China, but the tableware was painted to appeal to patriotic colonial Americans. Interestingly, Mr. du Pont owned many pieces from George Washington's 300-piece set (pictures below). The rest is divided among Mount Vernon, other museums and private collectors.
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The furniture we saw was mostly American--with the exception of Henry Algernon's French Empire Parlor. The Federal style seemed particularly popular with Mr. du Pont--straightbacked furniture with clean-lines.
A cupboard originally owned by a family friend and later donated to the museum.
This was the first room we saw, and Jenni mentioned that this cupboard was the first piece of American furniture that inspired H.F. DuPont's (1880-1969) interest in antiquing. He had two other major interests: breeding dairy cattle and gardening/landscaping.
The terrace, overlooking the family garden and restoration research center
Our next stop was the terrace which overlooked the backyard, pool (not shown), and research center (erected in the 1960's)
Entertaining area that sometime seated up to 70 people
One of Mr. DuPonts 58 Sets of China
Chippendale Chairs, patriotic portrait of George Washington and Family, Chinese Tea Cups
A part of George Washington's China Collection
Michelle's Favorite Room, Chippendale Furniture Oriental Style, Hand Painted Chinese Scene for Wallpaper
A staircase Mr. DuPont acquired from a house in North Carolina
An example of some of the refreshments the DuPonts would provide for guests to nibble on anytime or before retiring for the evening.
The circular staircase
The terrace
The terrace in the 1930's 
The Marlboro Room: one of H.F.'s favorite entertaining rooms.
A small parlor for drinks
What used to be the kitchen
A recreation of a dinner a family would have (inspired by an antique Georgian etiquette magazine)
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