Day 340: 12/7/11- A Tour of Winterthur

Day 340: 12/7/11
New Thing: A Tour of Winterthur                     

Inspiration: The Women's Ministry Group   
Cost: $0 (Thanks to the generosity of the group!) 
Time: Several Hours  
Bottom Line: A beautiful tour of an American Palace

Reflection: Today, the St. David's Women's Ministry Group, my Dad, and I went on a fantastic tour of an American Palace and former home of the du Pont family: Winterthur. Here is the description from the website: 

Almost 60 years ago, collector and horticulturist Henry Francis du Pont
(1880–1969) opened his childhood home, Winterthur, to the public. Today, Winterthur (pronounced “winter-tour”) is the premier museum of American decorative arts, with an unparalleled collection of nearly 90,000 objects made or used in America between about 1640 and 1860. The collection is displayed in the magnificent 175-room house, much as it was when the du Pont family lived here, as well as in permanent and changing exhibition galleries.

Winterthur is set amidst a 1,000-acre preserve of rolling meadows and woodlands. Designed by du Pont, its 60-acre naturalistic garden is among America’s best, with magnificent specimen plantings and massed displays of color. Graduate programs and a preeminent research library make Winterthur an important center for the study of American art and culture.

Time Magazine calls Winterthur one of the "Top 100 places to see before you die" and I can see why.  This was an amazing tour. We started with a guided drive around the impressive grounds. The meadow boasts the largest oak in all of Delaware. We then moved to the mansion which was decorated for Christmas and holds the astounding antique collection. The group who went was lovely, and the best part was having Dad there to share it with. Thanks Dad, and thank you St. D's WM for this great time!