Winterthur

Henry Francis du Pont

Magnificent Winterthur Open Free for One Day

We spent Saturday, Jan.23 at Winterthur, the Henry Francis du Pont Mansion in Delaware as part of the Brandywine Treasures where 9 attractions are open to the public for free . It was a beautiful but chilly day and the place was packed at about 12:30 pm when we arrived at Winterthur. This is a wonderful way to get folks out to visit these places in the dead of winter and hopefully expose young and old to the arts who might never get a chance. Normally $20 Admission and $10 children. Winterthur will be closed for the month of February. http://www.brandywinetreasures.org/

Also check out the Brandywine valley outside of Wilmington, Delaware which is about 1 ½ hours from the Jersey Shore. http://www.thebrandywine.com/go/scenicdrives.html

Many garden groups take bus trips to Winterthur and I was excited I was going to get to see the home of DuPont that was turned into a museum in 1951. There was a long wait in line of about 1 ½ hours and after our tour started on the 5^th floor, the 1 year old baby was too fussy and tired. Our grandchildren went over to the Enchanted Garden to look for fairies and trolls. Our son in law was so gracious to play with them while we went on the tour!

There also is a large Gallery that you can walk thru displaying many early Americana artifacts and 2 great gift shops.

Our tour guide said we were able to take photos. On my previous blog I show some of the mantles and the Paul Revere tankards! How cool!

John Trumbull's renowned painting of President George Washington with his

horse at Verplanck's Point.

Needlepoint of Mourners of President George Washington 

Beautiful chair!

How peaceful to have a harp waiting for someone to play!

Portrait of the Edward Lloyd family by Charles Wilson Peale.

The Conservatory -Lunch below

the staircase he built as a surprise for his wife. We were on the fifth floor and look how high it goes up! Check the before picture how the staircase was on the outside wall.



This room was very large. George Washington portrait over the mantel, to the far right. See the beautiful handpainted Japanese wallpaper with no repeats. Shipped from Japan!

Benjamin West's important unfinished painting

American Commissioners of the Preliminary Peace Negotiations with Great

Britain including Benjamin Franklin.

How'd you like to blog at this desk?

Exquisite ! Come for tea!

Portrait of George Washington



A covered bridge on our way home!

Mantel Party Every Friday

Mantel Party Every Friday

Recently we visited Winterthur, the country Estate of Henry Francis du Pont, in the heart of the Brandywine Valley, in Delaware.Our tour was on the fifth floor of this huge estate. We saw many mantles and I hope you enjoy them! More pictures tomorrow of the estate!

Jennifer aka Gigi

Mantle from Winterthur Mansion, Delaware. Sure would like a portrait of George Washington for my mantle.

Sideboard - Six silver tankards made by Boston silversmith Paul Revere in 1772

Beautiful blue tile fireplace from Holland, crystal candle sticks, and another Washington portrait.

The French influence. Beautiful French clock.

Another French inspired mantel.

Check out the Mantel Party @ http://bethcrabtreehunter.blogspot.com/

Henry Francis Dupont lived from 1880 - 1969 . The museum is closed the month of Feb.
http://www.winterthur.org/

"My purpose in leaving Winterthur as a Museum to the public is to afford

all those interested an opportunity to view and to study the conditions

surrounding the early American home life."-- Letters and Notes to

Executors and Winterthur Directors

"It seemed to me that early American arts and crafts had not been given

the recognition they deserved.... I hoped, therefore, that, by preserving

under one roof examples of architecture, furniture, and widely divergent

early American materials of all kinds, interest in this field would be

stimulated and that the magnificent contribution of our past would be

helped to come into its own."

More Snow! Lawrence Real Estate Torn Down in Ocean City, NJ

More Snow! Woke up early today and got these shots while the moon was still out!

Below are pics from the tearing down of Lawrence Real Estate on the beach in Ocean City at 48th Street. This was my friend Jan's father's house & business. That era is over. Guess it is rather sad for Jan, Debbie and Bob. It is at least good that some new construction is coming for builders. People need tax cuts so they can have $ to spend.
Pictures are from Debbie's husband, John's webcam @

Nothing lasts...except the grace of God...Phil Keaggy