dupont mansion tour

Nemours Estate is currently closed for the season and will reopen on April 2, 2024.

Yours to Love and to Know

Explore the elegance of a 77-room Mansion, a Chauffeur's Garage with vintage automobiles, and 200 acres of French-inspired formal gardens, grounds and woodlands. 

Nemours Estate Opening Day

April 2, 2024 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Join us as we open our doors for the 2024 season. Visitors of all ages are welcome to experience the wonder of the beautifully decorated Mansion, which holds collections of stunning antique furnishings, technology and fine art. Rain or shine, plan to enjoy this special spring day in the gardens.

Getting Here

1600 Rockland Road Wilmington, DE 19803

The entrance is located on the campus of Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware. Follow signs for Nemours Estate.

A Legacy for Children's Health

We share our campus and legacy with Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware. The philanthropy and vision of Alfred I. duPont created The Nemours Foundation, which has evolved into one of the largest children’s health systems in the country today. No matter how small or large, your gift is vital to our mission of helping and healing children.

Three Grand Estates to Visit in the Delaware Valley: Longwood Gardens, Nemours Estate, Winterthur

Three early 20th-century estates – Longwood Gardens, Nemours Estate, and Winterthur – are living legacies of the du Pont dynasty that are a delight to explore. The three estates include homes, furnishings, and richly landscaped gardens. All three estates are conveniently located within 10 miles of each other in northern Delaware and southeastern Pennsylvania. These properties, each uniquely different, help tell the stories of uber-wealthy folks who acquired and managed large homes and vast acreage. My husband and I enjoyed our visits to these three amazing properties over two days.

Many in the prominent du Pont family were committed to historic preservation, had strong interests in horticulture and agriculture, and carried a penchant for philanthropy. This commitment to preservation and in shaping nature for pleasing aesthetic results is evident in these three properties that du Pont families enjoyed during their lifetimes and, later, opened to the public. Each property requires several hours to fully enjoy, so plan to spend at least two days if you plan to explore all three.

Two Day Itinerary Exploring du Pont Estates

My husband and I explored the three properties over two days. We visited Nemours Estate and Winterthur. located just outside Wilmington, Delaware on the first day. That evening, we spent the night at a hotel in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, and visited nearby Longwood Gardens the next day. Of course, you can visit them in any order you want to — or just pick which one most interests you!

Day 1  

• Visit Nemours Estate, tour the mansion, and explore the gardens and grounds via tram or on foot. (Nemours is closed on Mondays.)
• Visit Winterthur in northern Delaware, a 15-minute drive from Nemours Estate. Eat lunch at Winterthur’s café in the visitor center or bring your own picnic. Tour the mansion and adjacent museum, and explore the grounds via tram or on foot. (Winterthur is closed on Mondays.)
• Enjoy dinner at Krazy Kat’s near Nemours Estate. Another option is Portabello’s in nearby Kennett Square (close to Longwood Gardens that is scheduled for Day 2).
• Check in at a hotel or inn in Kennett Square, PA (10 miles away).
• Visit Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA. (Longwood Gardens is closed on Tuesdays.)
• Eat lunch at Longwood Gardens (three dining options).
• Conclude your visit with a stop at a nearby museum or winery.

Who Were the du Ponts?

Éleuthère Irénée du Pont (E.I. du Pont) emigrated from France in 1800 with his family. Once in the United States, he began to manufacture gunpowder along the Brandywine River in Delaware. In subsequent years, the du Pont family expanded into other areas including chemical manufacturing. Over time, successive generations entered politics (several served as U.S. senators, and one as governor of Delaware); continued in the family businesses; served in other companies; and/or pursued philanthropic endeavors.

The three du Pont estates profiled in this article were created and/or developed by three great-grandsons of E.I. du Pont and are listed (in this article) in the order mentioned in my suggested, two-day itinerary. Nemours Estate and Winterthur are located outside Wilmington, Delaware; Longwood Gardens is north of Winterthur in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.

• Nemours Estate , created by Alfred Irénée du Pont; 
• Winterthur , developed by Henry Francis du Pont; and
• Longwood Gardens , developed by Pierre Samuel du Pont.

1. Nemours Estate

1600 Rockland Avenue, Wilmington, DE | (302) 651-6912

Alfred du Pont (1864-1935) built this home in 1909 and named it Nemours after the family’s ancestral home in France. In fact, Alfred created this estate as a wedding gift for his second wife, Alicia Bradford, incorporating French architectural styles she so admired. As it turned out, Alicia died in 1920, and Alfred then married Jessie Bell, and they lived here until their deaths.

Alfred was a financier, industrialist, and philanthropist. He worked in the family’s gunpowder business until he was forced out of his role by a family relationship that soured. Following that, Alfred remade a fortune by investing and building in Florida, a new frontier (at the time) for investment to attract vacationers and other folks. According to Alfred’s will, the house and grounds were to be opened to the public following the deaths of him and his wife. (Alfred died in 1935, and Jessie died in 1970.) In addition, Alfred’s last wishes included the building of a children’s hospital, Nemours Children’s Hospital, that sits on land that made up the original estate.

What to See at Nemours Estate

Resembling a French chateau, the Nemours Estate includes a 47,000 square-foot home – with 77 rooms –  and is quite grand, incorporating many European design elements as well as furnishings. Alfred’s design included some new features for the time period including indoor bathrooms. Also, this mansion had a home office, a water bottling room, an exercise room, an indoor bowling alley, and a billiards room downstairs. The chauffeur’s garage was the first garage built in the state. It houses five vehicles: a 1933 Buick Coupe, a 1921 Cadillac Renault, a 1924 Cadillac, and two Rolls-Royces (1951, 1960).

The home and the 200-acre grounds are gated. Alfred acquired one entry gate from Wimbledon, England, and the other from Catherine the Great’s estate. The Versailles-inspired gardens cover about 15 acres and there are a couple of hundred acres of woodland and meadows. Granite was quarried from a Blue Granite rock area on the grounds and used in the house’s construction. From the mansion, stroll along the Long Walk to the reflecting pool and fountains (with over 150 jets). Also here are sculptures of the four seasons, the Temple of Love, and the gold leaf statue entitled Achievement . 

Visiting Nemours

• Nemours Estate is open Tuesday-Sunday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm; it’s closed on Monday.
• Tickets are $20 for adults (discounts for seniors and military); $10 for kids aged 6-16: and free for younger children.
• A shuttle (golf cart) can ferry you from the entrance to the mansion. You can also request a ride from the mansion to the chauffeur’s garage. 
• Mansion tours are mostly self-guided with historical interpreters in the main rooms available to answer questions.
• Take the free, narrated tour of the property so you can see the scope of the land and manicured gardens.
• No food or drinks are available for purchase, so plan on bringing your own.
• If planning to picnic, bring a blanket; there are no picnic tables.

Tips for Your Visit

• When driving to the estate, you’ll be on the grounds of the Nemours Children’s Hospital.
• You can easily spend 2-4 hours in the mansion and the grounds which encompass elaborate gardens (inspired by Versailles), the chauffeur’s garage that houses five period vehicles, and a Sears Roebuck mail-order cottage that was built in 1915 as a playhouse for the children.
• The best view of the formal gardens from inside is actually from one of the guest bedrooms, the Gold Room.

2. Winterthur

5105 Kennett Pike, Winterthur, DE | 800-448-3883  

Several generations of the DuPont family had a history on the estate. In the early 1800s, E.I. du Pont purchased the property for farming. His daughter later inherited it and built a house in 1839, naming it after her husband’s ancestral home in Switzerland. The estate changed hands several times within the family over the generations.

What visitors see today at Winterthur was mainly the result of Henry Francis (H.F.) du Pont’s (1880–1969) work on the property. Born at Winterthur, H.F. managed the family’s property for his father and inherited it upon his father’s death. His additions to the estate were the results of his studies of horticulture and agriculture at Harvard University as well as his European travels. His passions were gardening, collecting American furnishings and decorative arts, and breeding cattle on the property. 

Jackie Kennedy’s Visit to Winterthur

With his vast collection of early American decorative arts and furniture, H.F.  turned the family home into a museum in 1951; he and his wife then lived in a 50-room cottage he had built near the house. (The museum shop is located on the first floor of that cottage.) In the early 1960s, H.F. helped guide First Lady Jackie Kennedy in her extensive White House remodeling project. She visited Winterthur in 1961 to view the vast collection here and to discuss ideas that would work in the President’s house. H.F. made numerous visits to the White House during this time to confer with Mrs. Kennedy and her staff.

What to See at Winterthur

Today Winterthur is home to 90,000 decorative arts and furniture pieces in the home and galleries as well as 60 acres of gardens on the almost 1,000 acres of property. For the most part, the grounds are designed to look completely natural. There are no brightly colored annuals here. Instead, there are fields, water features, and carefully landscaped woodland. The prime time to see color on the grounds is from March through May when the azaleas, rhododendrons, dogwood, and wildflowers are in bloom. One space designed just for kids is Enchanted Woods with its Faerie Cottage, nooks to explore, and unique water features.

Visiting Winterthur

• Winterthur is open Tuesday-Sunday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm; it’s closed on Monday. There are special days and hours during their yuletide season that showcases special displays.
• Purchase mansion tour tickets online prior to your visit to ensure you have guaranteed admission upon arriving.
• Admission is $22 for adults; $20 for students (aged 12 and older) and seniors (aged 62 and older); $8 for kids aged 2-11; and kids under 2 years old are free.
• Plan to arrive about 30 minutes before your scheduled mansion tour to check in and get oriented to all there is to see.
• You’ll enter through the visitor center and take a shuttle (or walk) to the Conservatory where the mansion tour begins.
• Free, narrated tram tours of the grounds are available.
• Winterthur’s website has suggested itineraries for your visit, depending on how much time you have to spend.
• Expect to spend 3-4 hours touring the mansion, museum, and gardens.
• Take the narrated garden tour on an open-air tram to learn more about H.F.’s vision for the property, his commitment to agricultural pursuits, and simply enjoy the expansive grounds.
• Plan to walk the property a bit — maybe to the reflecting pool outside the museum and to the Enchanted Garden a little further down the paved path. Winterthur has several walking trails ranging from about 0.5 to 2.0 miles each.
• The Visitor Center Café has a selection of grab-and-go fare (sandwiches, paninis, salads, and baked treats) and beverages (bottled water, soda, beer, and wine).
• If you prefer to bring your own food, there are several places to enjoy a picnic including the Enchanted Garden, Icewell Terrace, or outside the museum.
• The museum store is located near the mansion and museum (not in the visitor center), so stop in there after visiting the mansion and/or museum and before returning to the visitor center.
• Check online for a list of special events and tours.
• The extensive garden landscapes beckon visitors before or after visiting the mansion.

3. Longwood Gardens

1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square, PA | 610-388-1000

Pierre S. du Pont purchased the property in 1906 that he would eventually name Longwood. Previously, the Peirce family owned the land and had constructed a house in 1730. That house still stands today, and visitors are welcome to tour it. Over the years, the Peirce family planted a large number of trees. By the turn of the twentieth century, however, the land had changed ownership several times, and the property had not been well maintained.

After learning that the trees would be cut down on the property, Pierre S. du Pont purchased the farm. In addition to serving as the president of E.I. Du Pont de Nemours & Co. and General Motors, Pierre was a director and advisor to several other organizations. Pierre was so enamored with gardening and fountains that he incorporated many of his ideas, with inspiration from his European travels, in the displays that visitors see today. He set about improving the property, adding several features including the Conservatory, the Italian Water Garden, and the topiary garden. In addition, he expanded the house that he used as a weekend residence and a place to entertain friends. Longwood Gardens opened to the public in the 1940s. After Pierre’s death in 1954, the trustees of his foundation followed up on his wishes to lead Longwood Gardens into the future.

What to See at Longwood Gardens

Longwood Gardens offers over 1,000 acres that encompass six districts: 

• Chimes Tower District (includes a bell tower and waterfall),
• Conservatory District (includes acres of gardens protected from the elements)),
• House and Theater District (includes the Peirce home and park), 
• Lakes District (has open space with paths),
• Main Fountain Garden District (classic formal gardens with fountains), and
• Meadow and Forest District (meadows and woodlands that are habitats for plants and wildlife).

Visiting Longwood Gardens

• Longwood Gardens is open Wednesday-Monday beginning at 10:00 am; closing hours vary by day. It’s closed on Tuesday.
• Purchase tickets online prior to your visit to ensure you have guaranteed admission upon arrival.
• Admission is $25 for adults;  $22 for seniors (aged 62 and older) and college students; $13 for kids aged 5-18; and kids 4 and younger are free.
• Longwood Gardens has special events such as Carillon concerts, fountain shows, and behind-the-scenes tours. Check their website for details and to purchase tickets.
• Longwood Gardens comes alive at Christmas with special displays and events beginning in mid-November through early January. Book your reservations online well ahead of time, if interested in visiting during this time.
• There’s an extensive gift shop in the visitor center.
• Longwood Gardens has several dining options. Choose 1906 (reservations suggested) for fine dining, The Café for casual fare, or the Beer Garden.
• If you’re wondering what plants are in bloom when you visit, check the Longwood Gardens website.
• Check the daily schedule upon arrival to learn the times of the various fountain shows. They may be a highlight of your visit.

Where to Stay and Eat 

There are some lovely properties near Winterthur and Nemours Estate, but my husband and I chose to settle for the night at a property in Kennett Square since that would be our destination the next day. Do an online search (like TripAdvisor) to find the location and property that fits your interests.

Dining Choices

For lunch, both Longwood Gardens and Winterthur have good options. At Longwood Gardens, head to The Terrace. Here you’ll find three dining options: 1906, a fine dining restaurant; grab-and-go options in The Café with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating; and a beer garden – sometimes featuring live music. Winterthur has a nice café with a wide variety of sandwiches, salads, soups, and beverages.

For dinner, Krazy Kat’s is a good choice and is located near Nemours and Winterthur. Longwood Gardens’ three restaurants are open late on the evenings with later closing times (usually Thursday-Sunday). If overnighting near Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Portabello’s is another great dinner option.

By the way, the Kennett Square region is considered the mushroom capital of the country, accounting for around two-thirds of the mushroom production. Therefore, if you’re a mushroom lover, you’re bound to find a lot of dishes prepared with mushrooms while in the area’s restaurants.

Nearby Attractions

If extending your visit to the area, consider these articles about nearby places:

• Air Mobility Command Museum , Dover

Best Things To Do in Philadelphia

• Covered Bridges of Bucks County
• Delaware Beach Guide
• Museum of the American Revolution , Philadelphia
• Philadelphia: A Self-Guided Walking Tour
• Tyler State Park , Bucks County
• Valley Forge National Historical Park
• Washington Crossing State Park , Bucks County

Final Thoughts

The two days that my husband and I spent exploring Longwood Gardens, Nemours Estate, and Winterthur were so relaxing and enjoyable. It was fun to walk through the creations of the three du Pont visionaries who had the forethought and ambition to create such superlative lasting legacies that subsequent generations of the public have enjoyed.

Although all three properties are special in their history and design, the Nemours Estate was like a hidden gem because it’s probably the least well-known of the three. What made that visit especially enjoyable for me was that visitors are able to tour the public rooms used for entertaining and family life on the first floor, the bedrooms upstairs, and the basement where they entertained in the bowling alley and billiards room. Beyond that, today’s visitors can walk into Alfred’s office, his exercise area and showers, and the mechanical room. You can really see all the spaces and get a good picture of everyday life for the du Pont family and their staff. Outside, of course, are the grand gardens and the chauffeur’s garage.

Incidentally, other du Pont family members have played key roles in restoring other historical properties. Montpelier, the home of James Madison (fourth American president) and his wife, Dolley outside Charlottesville, Virginia is one such place. If heading to that central Virginia area, read my detailed visitor guide of Charlottesville to help you plan your trip.

Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences from a visit to the Delaware Valley region. Your comments could help other travelers. 🙂

More Popular Reads

Examples of How Travel Can Enrich Your Life

Six Best Places to Visit in San Antonio, Texas

Six Best Things to Do in the Zilker Area of Austin, Texas

Leave a comment cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

The DuPont Tour Of Delaware Showcases The East Coast's Grandest Estates

Kim Magaraci

Kim Magaraci graduated Rutgers University with a degree in Geography and has spent the last seven years as a freelance travel writer. Contact: [email protected]

More by this Author

It’s obvious to anyone who travels through Delaware that the DuPont Family had a big impact on First State history. Take this tour of beautiful estates, gardens, and homes to experience the story of their lives and see their legacy as it persists today.

Related Stories

Playful Dolphins Escort You Through The Delaware Bay On This One Of A Kind Boat Tour

Nemours Is An Incredible Palace Hiding Right Here In Delaware

The Scenic Train Ride In Delaware That Runs Year-Round

This fun tour can be done as a day trip or split up! You’ll enjoy seeing the scenic and historic side of Delaware when you set off to explore these beautiful estates that help make the Northern Delaware and Philadelphia region the Garden Capital of the Country.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Want more Delaware in your inbox?

Get the latest on things to see, do, and eat around Delaware!

Thank you! You'll receive your first newsletter soon!

An error occured.

Related Articles

• The Fairytale Road Trip That'll Lead You To Some Of Delaware's Most Magical Places
• Paddle The Bay With Dolphins When You Embark On A Delaware Kayak Adventure
• Watch The Delaware Countryside Whirl By On This Unforgettable Christmas Train
• Spend An Afternoon Taking A Delightful Canoe Tour At Trap Pond State Park In Delaware This Spring
• Try Boating, Zip Lining, Horseback Riding And More All At Lum's Pond State Park In Delaware
• Your Ultimate Guide To Spring Attractions And Activities In Delaware
• Taylor Swift's New Album Title Has Us Inspired To Visit These Dead Poet's Society Filming Locations In Delaware
• Your Ultimate Guide To State Parks In Delaware

Explore Delaware

• Arts & Entertainment
• Farms & Wildlife
• Fun Adventures
• Shops & Boutiques
• Sights & Landmarks

Search form

• Hours & Tickets
• What To See
• Exclusive Experiences
• Group Tours
• School Field Trips
• Museum Store
• Search Collections
• Oral History
• News & Programs
• Hagley Heritage Curators
• Digital Exhibits
• Collections Policy
• Corporate Partners
• Giving Opportunities
• What is Hagley
• Publications

Plan Your Visit

Please check the Hours & Tickets page to see what will be open on the day of your visit. ...

••• PLAN YOUR VISIT

Start your visit at the Hagley Visitor Center where you can purchase tickets and memberships , pick up a visitor guide, and see the new exhibition Nation of Inventors .  The Museum Store is located right next door.

Hagley has multiple entrances.  Be sure to use the museum entrance at 200 Hagley Creek Road, Wilmington, DE, 19807.   Plenty of free parking is available near the Visitor Center.  Private vehicles are not permitted in other areas of Hagley. 

Information about what you can see on your visit to Hagley is included below.  To see if there are any special activities the day of your visit, check out the Hagley Calendar page .

While you could easily spend the whole day at Hagley, most guests spend between two and three hours at the museum.  When you arrive at the museum, our Visitor Services staff will help you plan to get the most out of your day.  An overview of what’s included in a visit to Hagley is provided below.

GETTING AROUND

Hagley is a large, indoor-outdoor museum covering 235 acres.  Much of the property is walkable.  Some areas feature uneven terrain and gravel paths.  Comfortable footwear is strongly encouraged.

Shuttle service is provided between key locations throughout the museum grounds including the Visitor Center, historic powder yard, and the historic home and garden.  Shuttles are wheelchair accessible. 

WHAT YOU CAN SEE

• Things to Do
• Restaurants
• Vacation Rentals
• Travel Stories
• Rental Cars
• Add a Place
• Travel Forum
• Travelers' Choice
• Help Center

The Best of the duPont Family Mansion... - Nemours Estate

• United States    
• Delaware (DE)    
• Wilmington    
• Wilmington - Things to Do    
• Nemours Estate

The Best of the duPont Family Mansion Tours

Nemours is by far the most impressive and enjoyable of the duPont family mansions that have been open to the public for tours. It is a "blow you away mansion" of the Gatsby era, with one of the largest private art collections in the country. Mr. duPont's estate is also home to a world class children's hospital that is located on the opposite end of the property. The story behind it all is just as impressive. He left his fortune to establish a hospital to help children. Worth the trip and the price of admission.

Love this place, is worth the tour and exploring the beautiful grounds. It might take at most 4 hours to see everything. Just go, go! if you are in this area.

You Need a reservations. Arrive on time .Guides and all staff are excellent. The guides don't sugar coat the conflicts within the duPont family. Amazing to see how the wealthy lived back in the day House is preserved as it was when Jesse DuPont died in the 70s. Cool cars in the garage.

Mike, Thank you for providing us with genuine feedback. We have made changes to our 2016 Tour program. Reservations are no longer required for groups less than 10. Guests may explore the Mansion, formal gardens and 200+ acre grounds at their leisure. Please come back and spend an entire day with us!

Alfred DuPont's mansion and grounds are just beautiful. The tour is full of interesting facts. What is unusual about this mansion over others of its kind - is that the children's hospital, Alfred I DuPont Hospital for Children run by his Nemours Foundation, sits just off the estate's grounds. The hospital's history is interesting too. At first it only provided orthopaedic services to 'crippled' children. In the 80's it became a full service hospital adding many services, including cardiac. Today it has grown to be a world class facility for children with a new wing opened it 2015. Visit the mansion, grounds and then turn your attention to the hospital.

Dear Linda, Thanks for your kind comments. We believe that the proximity of Nemours Estate to Nemours Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children is truly unique--no other pediatric hospital in North America, and likely the entire world--has anything comparable. We are working to integrate the Estate more closely with Nemours' core mission of saving children, while continuing to offer the highest-caliber experience to guests who visit Nemours Estate to see the historic mansion, formal gardens and 200+ acre grounds of industrialist and philanthropist Alfred I. DuPont's estate. And we're thrilled by your encouragement to have other visitors include a stop at the hospital as part of their visit to our shared campus--it truly is an attraction in its own regard.

....you can't take pictures inside. And it's a beautiful mansion. Another thing is that you need to book in advance. That being said, the exterior is photo-friendly. Worth the visit.

Hi Steve, Come back to visit us! Changes to our 2016 Tour program will allow you to take photographs inside! (although we ask that you do not use a flash) And reservations are no longer needed.

this is a must attraction: it is not only an educational experience for the entire family, but most intereting and unusual: one experiences the very wealthy in the early 1900s in Delaware : one of the main features is the car collection, and fabulous gate: all in all it is a most worthwhile experience

Travel Thru History

Historical and cultural travel experiences

The du Pont Family Mansions

by Kurt Jacobson

Hidden in fragrant forested areas of Delaware and Pennsylvania are three of the famous du Pont family mansions and gardens. These grand estates have something to draw all ages to witness the glorious past of American industrialism when it was fashionable to build a fortune and leave behind an estate for the public’s enjoyment. The three du Pont family members left Nemours, Longwood, and Winterthur to be enjoyed by us common folk, were quite different. What they had in common was they were all part of the gunpowder family’s legacy, wealthy and wanted to share these special estates with all who wished to visit.

When I moved from the West to Baltimore, history engulfed me like never before. Shortly after moving to Maryland a work associate at my wife’s workplace told her to check out Kennett Square, Pennsylvania and Longwood Gardens. I had no real idea what it would be like, but we were ready to explore our new region and Kennett Square was a mere hour and ten minutes up scenic Route 1. Within the first month of arriving we drove up to Kennett Square and explored the historic downtown and Longwood Gardens not knowing how much both had to offer. We would find out over the few months after repeated visits.

I have recently experienced what I would formerly have diagnosed as an attack of insanity; that is, I have purchased a small farm,” Pierre du Pont wrote to a friend soon after purchasing the Peirce farm in 1906. However, he added, “I expect to have a good deal of enjoyment in restoring its former condition and making it a place where I can entertain my friends.”

Henry and his wife Ruth were collectors of early American decorative art and architecture elements. They opened the home to the ticket buying public where visitors could view their extensive collection. The family moved to a smaller home they called “The Cottage” where they could live in peace and quiet now that the main house was a museum. In 1961 First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy visited Winterthur and was so impressed she invited du Pont to head the Fine Arts Committee, which oversaw the restoration of the White House.

The next estate visit is Nemours, named after the ancestral home in France. The story of Alfred I. du Pont is my favorite. Alfred grew up a child of the powder mills and became a great benefactor of the common laborer. He worked hard to become the wealthy person we read about in the visitor center and even enjoyed forming and conducting the Tankopanicum String Orchestra made up of workers and du Pont family members alike. It was said of him, “If mister Alfred knows you in the powder yards, he knows you in Wilmington.”

Alfred lost both parents when he was thirteen just weeks apart. At his father’s deathbed he remembered being told, “Son, I’m not going to be with you long. You must get an education and then come back, take off your coat and then ask your uncle Henry for a job. I think the old company may need you sometime.” Alfred took his father’s advice which served both him and the company well. This fourth generation gunpowder maker started as an apprentice powderman in 1884 at the age of 20 by hauling loads of wood and charcoal alongside the regular crews. He did well and advanced swiftly through the ranks. He made partner at the age of twenty-five and eventually bought the company with cousins Pierre and Coleman du Pont in 1902.

There is so much to see at these three estates it would be best to stay for two or three days. It would be hard to find a more appropriate lodging than The Inn at Montchanin Village near Nemours. The village of Montchanin is close to the original DuPont powder mills. Once part of the Winterthur estate, the village was named after the grandmother of du Pont’s founder.

The Inn at Montchanin Village is now a quiet country inn with a spa, restaurant, and luxurious suites for the discerning traveler. Many of the 24 unique suites have a private courtyard and garden. Krazy Kats restaurant serves fresh, northeast seasonal cuisine in regal-cat inspired dining room. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner Krazy Kats is one of the best restaurants in the area.

Even if you only have time for one of these famous du Pont mansions it’s worth a visit. All of the four du Pont historical properties listed above are easily accessed from Philadelphia airport, Wilmington’s Amtrak station or Interstate-95. Come get a taste of American history at its best in the Brandywine Valley.

Longwood Gardens 1001 Longwood RD Kennett Square, PA 19348 Open Sun-Wed 9-6 Thurs-Sat 9-10 Phone: 610-388-1000

Winterthur 5105 Kennett Pike Winterthur, DE 19735 302 Winterthur road for GPS Tues-Sun 10-5 Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Phone: 800-448-3883

Nemours 850 Alapocas dr Wilmington, DE 19803 Open May 1- Nov 13 Tue-Sat 10-5 Sunday 12-5 (mansion 1-4) Phone:302-651-6913

The Inn at Montchanin Village Route 100 and Kirk rd Montchanin, DE 19710 528 Montchanin rd for GPS Phone:302-888-2133

About the author: During three years of food blogging as the Fast and Furious Cook Kurt Jacobson saw other food bloggers incorporate travel into their blogs. After following suit, with an occasional travel post he found he liked travel writing better than food blogging. With extensive travels to Japan, New Zealand and all 50 U.S. States travel writing suited him well. Most of his writing has a food element; after all, some of the best travel stories come with a side of food.  In his first year travel writing he has been fortunate to have dozens of articles published in online travel sites and magazines. The best part is the journey is just getting started. Let’s take a trip!

All photos by Kurt Jacobson: Nemours mansion Longwood flower garden walk Longwood water lily garden Winterthur mansion Winterthur flower tree Nemours staircase

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Hit enter to search or ESC to close

Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library

Spring at winterthur, delight in daffodil day, walk the garden, tour the museum, winterthur point-to-point steeplechase, about winterthur, experience everything that winterthur has to offer.

A stunning mansion featuring the most significant collection of American decorative arts in the world. A world-class naturalistic garden set within 1,000 acres of rolling hills, streams, meadows, and forests. A leader in the preservation and study of cultural heritage.

Visit Museum »

Tour Garden »

Browse Library »

Up Next at Winterthur

View Full Calendar

Exclusively for Members! Discover the beauty of the spring garden on a…

A candlestick will add drama and height to this arrangement. Come learn…

Bring your objects into this free clinic and faculty and students of…

Celebrate the beauty of the daffodil and enjoy Winterthur’s amazing daffodil display.…

Inspired by the Japanese art of forest bathing (shinrin yoku), forest therapy…

Celebrate the beginning of spring and get inspiration for your arrangement by…

Exclusively for Members! Join Josh Horowitz, estate guide, for a lecture about…

Explore cheerful masses of Narcissus throughout the garden as you sample wine…

Garden staff can’t wait to “leak” special inside stories about Winterthur. After…

Enjoy the spectacle of thousands of azalea blossoms and acres of wildflowers.…

From Point-to-Point to Derby Day, we’ll be off to the races in…

Invite your mother on a floral design date! Each participant will create…

In celebration of Mother’s Day and the Transformations exhibition, this special concert…

Uncover the beauty and elegance of using one type of flower per…

Exclusively for Members! Discover the beauty of the garden in late spring…

Save the date! Enjoy a delightful day of family fun in our…

Visit the new exhibition Transformations: Contemporary Art at Winterthur, then design your…

Henry Francis du Pont often used nontraditional containers for his flower arrangements.…

Stroll through Winterthur’s meadows alive with butterflies and birdsong for inspiration, then…

Create a bountiful centerpiece for a fall table setting using fruits and…

Take a specialty Yuletide Tour with the floral designers and gain insider…

Interesting Stats

Features This Month

Heroine of horticulture, 120 years of daffodils, a delectable new addition, it’s electric new tram a first for winterthur, benefits of membership.

Members enjoy so much! Free general admission, discounts on dining, access to exhibitions before the public, free introductory tours, and so much more.

Become a Member

Winterthur would not be the place it is without supporters like you. This legacy of generosity starts with founder Henry Francis du Pont, who secured the organization’s future through a gift in his will. Today your support helps to preserve and to share Winterthur’s treasures with thousands of people each year. Please consider one of the many ways to support Winterthur and help us to continue H. F. du Pont’s legacy.

Our Affiliates:

Our partners:.

Your browser is not supported for this experience. We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari.

12 Incredible Attractions. One Amazing Price.

Free things to do, read our blog, get our e-newsletter, visitors guide, discount pass, follow us #visitwilm, spotlight on wilmington.

Special Packages

from DuPont Mansion B&B,

Louisville, KY

Louisville Romantic Getaway

Are you in need of a Honeymoon or Romantic Getaway with your loved one? We have just the ticket! Book the room of your choice at the DuPont Mansion for a 2-nights stay, then you’ll enjoy an in-suite 30 minute massage (one for each person), continental breakfast for two delivered to your room each morning and a romantic candlelight dinner for two at the historic Buck’s Restaurant. Sound inviting? We’ll also give you a bouquet of roses, chilled champagne or sparkling non-alcoholic cider and a dish of chocolate dipped strawberries or box of chocolates on the evening of your arrival!

Add-On Price: $700 (plus tax; subject to availability)

Celebration Package

Treat that special person on their wedding, anniversary, birthday, Valentine’s Day or just a thank you for being you! Celebrate with this special package that includes a bottle of champagne or non-alcoholic sparkling cider, a dish of chocolate dipped strawberries or box of chocolates and a bouquet of flowers in the room upon arrival! What romance!

Add-on price: $125 (plus tax; subject to availability)

Louisville Ghost Tour

Book the room of your choice for a two nights stay in one of our deluxe rooms, receive an autographed copy of David Dominie’s Best Seller, “Ghosts of Old Louisville”, 2 tickets to Louisville Historic Tours “America’s Most Haunted Neighborhood”, a guided tour of Old Louisville, the “most haunted Victorian District in America” PLUS dinner for 2 at Buck’s Restaurant. 

Add-On Price: $300 (plus tax; subject to availability)

Celebrate Historic Louisville

Come tour Old Louisville, our nation’s largest National Historic Preservation District, stay 2-nights in one of our deluxe rooms, enjoy dinner for 2 at B uck’s Restaurant, get 2 tickets to the Conrad Caldwell Historic House Museum PLUS get 2 tickets to Louisville Historic Tour’s guided tour called “America’s Most Exuberant Neighborhood”.  

Dupont Circle & Embassy Row Architecture Tour

Gilded age opulent mansions and grand embassies line the streets of washington dc's most fashionable neighborhood, dupont circle..

Gilded Age opulent mansions and grand embassies line the streets of Washington DC's most fashionable neighborhood, Dupont Circle. Join DC Design Tours along Embassy Row and see some of the city's most impressive properties, spanning the architectural gamut from Neo-classical to Beaux-Arts to Queen Anne and more. Hear the stories and scandals that helped shape the Nation behind the doors of the District's most extravagant homes. Sights and stops include: 

• Dupont Circle
• James Blaine Mansion
• Embassy of Indonesia (Walsh-McLean House)
• The Cosmos Club
• Society of the Cincinnati (Larz Anderson House)
• Turkish Ambassador's Residence (Edward Everett House)
• Embassy of Latvia (Alice Pike Barney Studio)
• Sheridan Circle
• Embassy of Cameroon
• Woodrow Wilson House
• Kalorama/ Mitchell Park
• Spanish Steps
• The Hobbit House (Edward Lind Morse Studio)
• The Phillip's Collection

This tour meets at the Dupont Circle Fountain in the center of Dupont Circle. GPS Address: 1 Dupont Cir NW, Washington, DC 20036 The tour takes about 2 hours and covers approximately 2 miles. Learn more and sign up at dcdesigntours.com .

1 Dupont Cir NW, Washington, DC 20036 Washington , DC 20008 United States

Dc design tours, (240) 229-6795, [email protected].

View Gallery

Nearby Favorites

Capital turnaround.

Capital Turnaround is an event venue right in the heart of Navy Yard.

Le Pain Quotidien of Washington DC

The Escape Game DC, Downtown

From undercover missions to breaking out of prison; The Escape Game of...

Christmas at the Pabst Mansion tours are back, including mimosa tours

Tickets are on sale now for Christmas at the  Pabst Mansion  holiday tours, including mimosa tours, which begin Nov. 16.

The 20,000-square-foot historic mansion, built in 1892 as a home for beer baron Captain Frederick Pabst and his wife Maria, goes all out when it decorates for Christmas, including putting up dozens of Christmas trees. 

Here's what you need to know about the Pabst's holiday programs.

Where is the Pabst Mansion?

The Pabst is at 2000 W. Wisconsin Ave. Tours begin slightly west of the main entrance at the new Pabst Mansion Visitor Center, 2040 W. Wisconsin Ave. (The visitor center is also home to the mansion's gift shop.)

When are self-guided Christmas at the Pabst Mansion tours available?

Self-guided tours will be available 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday (last entry at 3:15 p.m.) and 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday Nov. 16 through Jan. 7 (check the  Pabst Mansion website  for holiday hours). Tickets are $20 for adults; $18 for students, seniors and military; $13 for children (ages 6-17); and free for children 5 and under and members. Tickets are for timed entry.

When are self-guided Twilight Tours at the Pabst available?

Self-guided Twilight Tours will be offered 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, Nov. 24 through Jan. 6, excluding holiday eves. Tickets are $26 for adults; $24 for students, seniors and military; $11 for members. Gluhwein (hot mulled wine) and other seasonal adult beverages will be on sale. A changing roster of musicians will perform during these tours.

When are the holiday mimosa tours at the Pabst Mansion?

Holiday mimosa tours will be available at 9:30 a.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and 9:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. Sundays. Same prices as Twilight Tours; a mimosa is included with the ticket. The mimosa tours are the only guided tours offered through the holiday season.

When does Father Christmas visit the Pabst Mansion?

Family afternoons, including an appearance by Father Christmas, will be offered from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 17. These family tours are included with paid holiday season admission: $20 for adults, $18 student/senior/military, $13 children ages 6-17, $8 for children ages 3-5, free for younger children and members.

Besides Christmas decorations, what else can visitors see at the Pabst Mansion?

The Pabst Mansion is a year-round attraction for its Flemish Renaissance Revival architecture and design, including high-ceiling rooms, ornate woodwork and an extensive art collection.

How can I buy tickets for the Pabst Mansion?

Visit pabstmansion.com .