Henry Francis du Pont (1880–1969) is famous for his premier collection of American decorative arts and the creation of the museum at Winterthur, his beautiful country estate in Delaware, but how did it all come about? This lecture explores how Mr. du Pont formed his first American collection at Chestertown House, his summer residence in Southhampton, New York, and then how, a few years later, he transformed Winterthur into an enormous house filled with an exceptionally important collection of historic art and architecture. Simultaneously, Mr. du Pont formed a prize-winning herd of dairy cows and one of the most notable naturalistic gardens in America at Winterthur. All of this magnificence made this quiet part of Delaware an international destination, something it remains today.

Photo credit: Winterthur Museum. Photo by Daderot / Wikipedia.

For over forty-five years Jeff Groff has studied and lectured on American country houses and gardens, particularly those of Philadelphia’s Main Line and the surrounding areas. A graduate of Bates College, he holds a master’s degree in early American culture from the University of Delaware and has held leadership positions at the Winterthur Museum in Delaware, the Wyck Historic House and Garden in Philadelphia, and the Osterville Historical Society on Cape Cod. Jeff also served as co-curator of Winterthur’s very successful exhibitions “Costumes of Downton Abbey” and “Costuming The Crown.”

Curt DiCamillo is American Ancestors' Curator of Fine Art. As part of the Education team, he curates American Ancestors' large art collection, lectures around the world, and hosts the celebrated American Ancestors Art & Architecture webinar series.