Jeff Groff, Estate Historian, Winterthur Museum, Library and Garden

Reservations: greenwichdecorativearts@gmail.com

Henry Francis du Pont (1880-1969) is well known for his premier collection of American decorative arts and beautiful country estate in Delaware, but how did it all come about? This illustrated lecture explores how du Pont in 1926 formed his first American collection at Chestertown House, his summer residence in Southampton, and then a few years later transformed Winterthur into an expansive house filled with notable historic architecture and collections. Simultaneously he developed one of the notable American naturalistic gardens and a prize-winning herd of dairy cows. After opening Winterthur as a museum in 1951 he also oversaw the development of an outstanding library on decorative arts and design.

Pictures courtesy of the Winterthur Archives

Chestertown House Living Room, Southampton, 1926

Port Royal Parlor, Winterthur, 1938

Winterthur Aerial View, 1930’s