Winterthur

Today we toured Winterthur estate previously owned by the duPont family. Here is a 300 year old sycamore tree on the grounds leading to the duPont mansions.

Henry DuPont helped Jackie Kennedy redesign the White House. She helped him design this holiday tree at his mansion.

The duPont family made a fortune making gunpowder and chemicals such as Teflon and lycra.

Henry duPont added onto the mansion five times the original size. 

He was a horticulturist and a dairy farmer. He planted acres of azaleas.

The house is packed with treasures.

The museums feature American furniture such as dressers, desks and chairs.

The Santa in the back is carrying switches. He is Belsnickel, a crochety Santa who whips naughty children and puts coal in their stockings. Yikes!

Here is where they had dinner. They had separate rooms for breakfast and lunch.

DuPont company has a mixed history as far as environmental concerns go.

Spring would be a good time to come but you would miss the holiday trees.

This is not a museum to take small children!

This is the top of the bird holiday tree.

This is the bottom of the bird holiday tree.

This is the dessert pantry. Henry DuPont loved the color green.

The gardens were nice too. I don't think frost has hit this area yet.

A horse mermaid spits water into the reflecting pool.