BOOKING DEADLINE: April 1, 2026

Join Historic Annapolis for a delightful day trip to Winterthur!

Nestled in the heart of Delaware’s picturesque Brandywine Valley, Winterthur is a premier museum of American decorative arts, renowned for its extraordinary museum, garden, and library. Once the grand home of founder Henry Francis du Pont, the magnificent 175-room house showcases nearly 90,000 objects made or used in America since 1640—displayed much as the du Pont family lived among them. Beyond the house, Winterthur’s 1,000 acres of protected meadows, woodlands, ponds, and waterways create a setting of remarkable beauty, anchored by a nationally celebrated 60-acre garden.

Trip Highlights include two private group experiences:

• Library Collections Tour led by Allie Alvis, Curator of Special Collections, featuring rare books, manuscripts, works on paper, photographs, and Winterthur’s archival collections, and
• The new Architecture of Independence: America at 250 Tour that explores the founding of the nation through the architecture of the original thirteen colonies.

Following our group tours, enjoy a gourmet boxed lunch & free time to explore Winterthur’s renowned naturalistic garden on foot or via narrated tram ride, or enjoy a self-paced house tour, discovering American history through decorative arts, architecture, and the transformation of a private estate into a national museum.

Your admission fee includes: 

• Motorcoach transportation from Annapolis to Winterthur
• Private Group Guided Tour of the Library & Mansion
• Gourmet boxed lunch  
• Free time to explore!

Spaces are limited – reserve your spot today and enjoy a day filled with beauty, history, and inspiration as we explore one of America’s most remarkable cultural treasures.

Advance registration required; space is limited. Recommended for ages 16+. All participants must sign a liability waiver to attend the trip. 

Cost: $180 per person for General Admission; $165 per person for HA Members, HA Volunteers, and Military

Itinerary:

• 7:30 am: Motorcoach PROMPTLY departs from Maryland Hall (801 Chase Street in Annapolis – look for the HA check-in table!) 
• 9:30 am: Arrive at Winterthur
• 10:00 am: Divide into two groups and alternate Group Tour Experiences (45 min each)
  • Tour of library collections led by Allie Alvis, Curator of Special Collections
  • Tour of Architecture of Independence: America at 250
• 12:30 pm: Lunch and Free Time to Explore
  • Explore the Garden: Winterthur’s naturalistic garden, a masterpiece of color and design. Lyrical color combinations delight visitors of all ages with a year-round succession of bloom. Explore on foot, or on a narrated tram ride. 
  • Enjoy a Self-Paced House Tour: An American Legacy: Explore American history through the spaces, stories, and objects that shaped the nation. Discover the enduring influence of colonial American architecture, an unparalleled collection of decorative arts, and the transformation of a private estate into a museum devoted to preserving and interpreting the American experience. 
  • Visit the Museum Store: Full of thoughtfully curated collection features exquisite home décor, distinctive jewelry, and inspired gifts that reflect the artistry and beauty of our world-renowned museum and gardens.
• 3:00 pm: Depart for Annapolis 

Lunch:

Boxed Lunches will include choice of one sandwich chips, fresh fruit, and bottled water. 

Sandwich Choices: (if no choice is made, the default is the Roasted Turkey) 

• Roasted Turkey, Applewood Smoked Bacon, Sliced Tomato, Green Leaf Lettuce, Garlic Aioli on Brioche
• Balsamic Roasted Squash, Confit Tomato, Red Onion, Feta Cheese, Sundried Tomato Pesto, Spinach on Ciabatta 
• GLUTEN FREE OPTION: Balsamic Roasted Squash, Confit Tomato, Red Onion, Feta Cheese, Sundried Tomato Pesto, Spinach in a gluten free wrap

Other Information:

Free parking for tour attendees is provided at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, from where the bus will depart. Please park in Lot A, on the left as you come off Spa Rd.

Liability Waiver Required: All attendees will be required to complete the following form by Wednesday, April 15, 2026. If you have purchased more than one ticket under your name, each ticket holder must complete a separate form: Waiver & Lunch Form 

Accessibility: The Chesapeake Charters Motorcoach includes a restroom, charging ports and Wi-Fi onboard. The bus can kneel for a low entry step, but there is no wheelchair lift or wheelchair securement. Learn more about Winterthur’s accessibility here: Winterthur Accessibilty 

Cancellation and Refund Policy: Historic Annapolis reserves the right to cancel or alter any programs. Unless otherwise stated, all tickets are non-refundable.

If the minimum number of tickets sold is not met by April 1, 2026, the trip will be cancelled, and a full refund will be issued.

Photography Policy: Historic Annapolis reserves the right to take photographs and video footage of people of all ages at Historic Annapolis-sponsored events for publicity. If you do not wish to be photographed or filmed, please opt out by notifying Historic Annapolis staff.