Even though the doors of the Brandywine Conservancy and River Museum are temporarily closed, you can still enjoy its renowned art collection, as well as lovely nature videos shot from its trails and preserves, virtually.

The museum showcases the art of the Wyeth family, known as America’s first family of art. It’s collection also features American illustration, still life, and landscapes by notable artists including Jasper Francis Cropsey, Harvey Dunn, Peter Hurd, Maxfield Parrish, Howard Pyle, William Trost Richards, and Jessie Willcox Smith. The conservancy encompasses and protects more than 64,500 acres of open space throughout Pennsylvania and Delaware.

The conservancy and museum’s “Brandywine at Home” features new virtual video tours each week. They include highlights from the special “Votes for Women” exhibition, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, guaranteeing and protecting women's constitutional right to vote. There are also highlights from the museum’s exquisite collection of regional and American art. The series kicked off with a video discussion of Thomas Moran, best known for his paintings of the American West, and his painting “A Passing Shower.”

Calming video clips of nature moments from the preserves can also be enjoyed from the comfort of home. Most recently, the cascading waters of the man-made rock waterfall at Waterloo Mills Preserve were featured.

In addition to these features, the museum has been posting videos of fun at-home crafts to do with the kids, such as creating colorful activity jars, as well as recipes from Liz Sempervive, the executive chef at its on-site eatery, The Millstone Café.

For those doing their own nature exploring are gardening around home, the Brandywine Conservancy’s blog remains a great resource. Recent posts include identifying invasive plants, orchids that can be found in nature, and spring wildflowers.

We encourage you to experience all this gem of an attraction has to offer online. It’s a great way to decompress, see the beauty and culture of Greater Wilmington and the Brandywine Valley, and begin creating your to-do list for your visit to #VisitWilm once it’s clear to travel again. We look forward to welcoming you!