Discover the Story Behind Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library in New "At Home" Exhibition

A new exhibition at Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library is giving visitors the chance to experience the estate like never before. 

At Home at Winterthur celebrates the museum’s 75th anniversary by exploring the people, landscapes, collections, and stories that transformed Winterthur from a private family home into one of the nation’s premier destinations for decorative arts, gardens, and research. Through immersive galleries, oral histories, interactive experiences, and rarely highlighted stories, the exhibition invites guests to step deeper into the evolving legacy of this iconic Brandywine Valley estate.

A New Look at Winterthur’s Story   

Before it became a world-renowned museum, Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library was home to generations of the du Pont family. At Home at Winterthur traces more than 200 years of history, beginning with the Lenape people who once lived and gathered along Clenny Run and continuing through the arrival of the du Pont family in the Brandywine Valley in 1800. 

Visitors will explore how the estate evolved over time: 

• From farmland and family home 
• To grand country estate 
• To internationally recognized museum and research institution 

The exhibition also highlights the many people who continue shaping Winterthur today—from staff and scholars to artists, conservators, and visitors. 

Immersive Experiences Throughout the Galleries 

The exhibition unfolds across 15 sections throughout Winterthur’s first-floor galleries, each focused on a different aspect of the estate’s history and identity. 

Guests can: 

• Listen to oral histories from former and current Winterthur employees 
• Explore interactive touchscreen exhibits 
• Discover personal stories from life at the estate 
• Learn about the du Pont family legacy 
• See how Winterthur continues evolving today 

The exhibition also includes rotating spotlights highlighting members of the du Pont family and important collaborators connected to Winterthur’s history.

The du Pont Legacy in the Brandywine Valley 

A major focus of the exhibition is the lasting impact of the du Pont family on the Brandywine Valley and American history. Visitors can follow a family timeline beginning with Pierre Samuel du Pont de Nemours and continuing through generations who shaped the estate and surrounding region. 

The exhibition explores how Winterthur grew from a private residence into a place dedicated to: 

• Art and preservation 
• Education and scholarship 
• Conservation 
• Public engagement 

Today, Winterthur remains one of the Brandywine Valley’s most treasured cultural institutions.

Why Visit At Home at Winterthur 

This exhibition offers something new even for longtime Winterthur visitors. Rather than focusing solely on decorative arts, At Home at Winterthur tells the broader story of the estate itself—its people, evolution, and ongoing mission. It’s an opportunity to experience Winterthur beyond the galleries and gardens while gaining a deeper understanding of the history woven throughout the property. 

Pair Your Visit with the Gardens 

After exploring the exhibition, spend time discovering the breathtaking grounds of Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library, where seasonal blooms, winding paths, and historic landscapes continue the story outdoors. 

Spring and summer visitors can enjoy: 

• Meadow landscapes 
• Reflecting pools 
• Woodland gardens 
• Seasonal blooms 
• Garden tram tours 

And while visiting the Brandywine Valley, consider pairing your trip with nearby attractions like: Longwood Gardens, Hagley Museum and Library, and Nemours Estate

You can even experience several of the region’s top attractions through the Brandywine Valley Treasure Trail Passport program! Whether it’s your first visit or your fiftieth, this new exhibition offers a fresh perspective on one of the Brandywine Valley’s most iconic destinations—and the many stories that continue to make Winterthur feel like home.