We headed out of town and state to Delaware, where we visited the Winterthur Estate. The common consensus after we were there, was that none of us had any idea what Winterthur was, why we were there, or what it had to offer. After asking the library curator (Kudos to Kelsey), we finally got an understanding.
Winterthur Estate is a private museum that was once the mansion of Henry Dupont. Mr. Dupont was an avid collector who wanted to create a museum (for tax purposes). The home is on 1000 acres and has 174 rooms.
Put these two pictures together and this is the entire place!
We took a tour of the fabulous place. After that, we participated in the school activities that they have school students participate in. One thing I am definitely going to incorporate into my American Revolution unit is drawing signs for business. Students can’t use any words, but through their pictures, one will be able to determine what type of business they own.
Reflection Pool- once a swimming pool.
The grounds at the Dupont Mansion were breathtaking. Mr. Dupont loved gardens and color. The vegetation that he planted and the trees that are on the property are incredible.
The entire time driving and walking around, I kept thinking about what it must have been like to be a child at this estate. The outside was nothing but one gigantic playground. There was an ‘Enchanted Forest’ with a bridge and a cottage. The trees, alone, provided wonderful playhouses. It would be a child’s dream!
Oops! I almost forgot! Before we were able to explore this wonderful, enchanted place, we had a lecture on Consumer Revolution in the 1740’s. Basically, this was the production and consumption of goods. No longer was it an ‘only surviving world’. It changed how people did work, about getting bigger and better. Taverns/coffeehouses were being built quicker than a blink of an eye. They were a cultural symbol, location of consumption, place of news & exchange, ideas and personal habits. I have briefly touched on taverns, however, I will be focusing more on their importance with the aim being the Consumer Revolution.
This is an elliptical, two-story stair case that is in, once was the main entrance to the Dupont mansion. So grand!
This is a waterfall that cascades into the pond below. They had huge koi fish in this pond.
Hello, how are you doing? That mansion is big! I like the long stair case too. I would get lost if I was in that mansion. Well, I hope you have fun on your last day. Bye!
Luv,
Breezy
Hi Staci,
As I went through the tour, I kept wondering if the duPonts ever got lost in their mansion. I too loved the garden and thought how this would be wonderful for children. Too bad the duPonts only had two children. I too will use the hands on in my classroom. What a wonderful resource!
Dolores Ballejo