Smyrna times., 1954-04-22
WINTERTHUR
GARDEN TOURS
Visitors Expected to Tour
Garden from All Over
United States
TO OPEN ON MAY 1ST

tors from all over the United
States will come to see the gar
dens of Mr.. and Mrs. Henry Fran
els du Pont and the Museum. The
tours include the gardens, famous
for their azalea plantations loca-
ted in a naturalized woodland set
ting, and many outstanding Mus
cum rooms. For these special tours,
no advance reservations are neces-
sary, in marked contrast to the
Museums regular tours. Winter
thurs vast azalea paintings, rang
ing through the hills and valleys
of a naturalized park, include
numerous varieties and hybrids of
Kurume and Kaempferi types.
Propagated from only sixteen
selected Japanese plants acquired
in 1917, they grow profusely in the
semi-shade of native oaks, dog
woods, beeches, and towering tulip
poplars. Throughout May the
azaleas bloom with a magnificent
display of color, their flowers
ranging from white-as in the
magnifica and alba varieties
through pale pinks and yeIlows to
the flaming red of Azalea Firefly.
Others of Unusual Interest
Although they are best known
for their azalea planting, the Win
terthur Gardens contain many
other paintings of unusual interest
and beauty: Japanese ounce,
winged euonymus, climbing hy-
drangea, Scotch broom, kolquitzia
(or beauty bush), and philadel-
phus. More common, but always a
delight to garden visitors, are
numerous specimens of lilac and
rhododendron and delicate ground
covering flowers like Virginia
bluebell, trillium, and myrtle.
In the pinetum are several varie-
ties of evergreens rarely seen in
this part of the world-blue cedar,
blue cypress, and Oriental spruce
as we'll as many native types. A
grove of Sargent's crab apple pre-
sents a breath-taking display of
white blossoms during May. Win
terthur floral achievements may
be seen in the Museum, too, where
cut flowers enhance the gracious
charm of the authentic early
American rooms. The interiors ex-
hibited in the May tours include
some of the finest of the Queen
Anne, Chippendale, Federal, and
Empire periods.
Show Historic Events
In addition to representing
period styles, these rooms-actual-
ly dismantled from early Ameri-
can houses and reassembled at
Winterthur-sho the meaning OF
changing fashions and the social
significance of historic movements
and events. Europe's influence on
America, the native spirit of the
frontier, the wave of intense pat
riotism that followed the establish
ment of American independence
these are all reflected in the de-
signs of furniture, metalware,
ceramics, fabrics, and other pro-
ducts of craftsmanship which early
Americans used in their homes
Through these objects Winterthur
offers present-day Americans ar
unequalled opportunity to under
stand their country's early history
to see life at each period at its
best, and to appreciate the sound.
; ness and artistry of American
workmanship.
No Advance Reservation
Next month approximately
twenty of the outstanding rooms
will be open to visitors without
advance reservations. Because OF
the size, nature, and facilities Of
the Museum, guests are admitted
by appointment only (througf
written request) at other times o.
. the year. During the May tours tnf
Junior League of Wilmington pro
vides volunteers, who receive spec
ial training, to augment the regu'
lar staff of Museum guides. Ladies
Auxiliaries of nearby churches
serve as hostesses at a snack pal
where visitors may purchase lunch
In expressing his appreciation tt
community groups who are assist
ing in the program, Charles F
) Montgomery, executive secretar.
of the Museum, said, 'Never hav'
: I known organizations to worl
: harder or plan more CAREFUL,
; than the Junior League and thu
> community churches in prepara
$ ton for the special May opening
> They have done everything posi-
: BILE to arrange for the comtorta
IL ooooro,,o oda tion of qS man,