A Misty Day At Winterthur and Learning about Ruth Wales duPont

We had a misty hike through the woods and gardens at Winterthur Museum and Gardens this morning. It wasn't quite umbrella weather, just mist and lack of sun in the sky. 

One can now tour inside the mansion. You can use an app they provide, or just wander around several of the rooms which are usually open on the Yuletide tours. My friend noted that she preferred to see the top of a lovely table without it being loaded with (fake) cookies and cakes.  They have guides in each room in case you have questions. Some guides are more helpful than others and since we seemed to be the only visitors, they were having a jolly time chatting to each other as we approached.

But aside from this quick mansion tour and an extended hike on the grounds, I was especially interested in seeing a new exhibit in the gallery about H. F. duPont's wife, Ruth Wales duPont. One hears so much about her husband and how he added to what became a 175 room museum/home. What was interesting was that after he married Ruth, they moved into what was his father, Col. Henry Algernon duPont's house. It seems that Ruth was not too happy with the arrangement, but she could always spend time at their homes in New York City, Florida, Chestertown MD, and Maine. A re-creation of her wedding dress is the splashiest item in the exhibit, but I would have liked to have seen her 11 carat engagement ring! The family pictures in the exhibit are interesting, including one with one of their 2 daughters and a grandchild in front of the main entrance to Winterthur. I call this exhibit a "must see" for those who have seen the static exhibits in the museum and want to see a warmer side of the family.