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The
Brandywine Valley rivals many major metropolitan areas with its high concentration
of museums and gardens. There is the du Pont legacy, and the different
museums and gardens that tell the family story such as Longwood Gardens
, Hagley - where it all started, and Winterthur
- the mansion and gardens that differ from Longwood, but are just as spectacular.
There are many gardens in the area, all individually magnificent, like
Chanticleer Gardens and Jenkins Arboretum . Another family legacy, that of the Wyeths
, is the pride of the Brandywine River Museum, where three generation of the family's art may be viewed. The Brandywine River Museum also features
landscape, still life, genre and American illustration paintings. Other
unique museums in Chester County are the Chester County Historical Society
with permanent and changing exhibits, the American Helicopter Museum -
the only museum dedicated to rotary-wing flight and the Wharton Esherick
Studio and Museum where you can tour Wharton's "fluid" woodworking style.
Few
countryside destinations can claim the density of world-class museums,
in such a concentrated geographical area as we can. The philanthropic
legacy of one of Americas great families, the du'Ponts, is alive
and well. Longwood Gardens, Winterthur Museum & Gardens, the Hagley
Museum, and Nemours Mansion and Gardens have all been given to society
as public places and are national treasures. Of course, the Brandywine
River Museum is home to three generations of Wyeths, perhaps the
best-known American painters. The Museum houses a celebrated collection
of American art, and has recently opened N.C. Wyeths original studio
called The Homestead to the public. It is like stepping back
in time, just as the great American artist left it.
American
Helicopter Museum
1220 American Blvd. (near Brandywine Airport, off Airport Rd.), West Chester, PA 19380
(610) 436-9600 Fax: (610) 436-8642
Over 34 helicopters and 40 exhibits trace the history and future of rotor
wing flight. Kids can climb aboard and take the controls. Guided tours.
Birthday parties. Special events. Helicopter rides third Saturday of the
month.
Berwyn
Veterans Memorial
42 CAssatt Avenue, Berwyn, PA 19312
(610) 889-9966, Fax: (610) 889-9969
E-mail
The Berwyn Veterans Memorial, Route 30 in Berwyn, is the largest memorial
of its kind in Chester County. Visit this memorial to honor our veterans
and to cherish our freedom
Brandywine
River Museum
U.S. Route 1, Chadds Ford, PA 19317
Tel: (610) 388-2700, Fax: (610) 388-1197
E-mail
Exhibiting American art in a 19th-century gristmill, the Museum is internationally
known for works by three generations of Wyeths and its collection of American
illustration, still life and landscape painting.
Chadds
Ford Historical Society
Route 100, 1/4 mile north of U.S. Route 1, Chadds Ford, PA 19317
Phone: 610-388-7376
E-mail
Video Spirit of Chadds Ford and museum exhibit. Admission
free. Weekdays 9-2 PM. Also, Two 18th century houses-John Chads House
and the Barns-Brinton House, which are listed on the National Register
of Historic Places. Group tours available by request.
Chester
County Art Association (CCAA)
100 North Bradford Ave, West Chester, PA 19382
(610) 696-5600
E-mail
CCAA is a non-profit arts organization offering opportunities in high
quality training through classes, lectures, programs and exhibitions for
artists of all ages and aspirations.
Chester
County Historical Society
225 North High St., West Chester, PA 19380
(610) 692-4800 or (610) 692-4066
Fax: (610) 692-4357
E-mail
Uncover the intrigue of the past at the Chester County Historical Society.
Learn the stories of regional heritage through permanent and changing
exhibits, including the award-winning, hands-on History Lab.
Delaware
Art Museum
2301 Kentmere Parkway, Wilmington, DE 19806
(302) 571-9590, Fax: (302) 571-0220
E-mail
Newly redesigned, featuring spacious galleries of American art and illustration,
the region's first Sculpture Part, the DelART Café, Outdoor Terrace,
Museum Store and an interactive Kids' Corner.
Delaware
History Museum
504 Market St., Wilmington, DE 19801
(302) 656-0637
A renovated 1940s art-deco style Woolworths, housing changing,
self-guided exhibits devoted to Delaware history and artistic achievements.
Discovery rooms allow children to learn hands-on history in Grandmas
Attic.
Delaware
Museum of Natural History
4840 Kennett Pike, Wilmington, DE 19807
Phone: 302-658-9111, Fax: 302-658-2610
Explore an African watering hole, marvel at a life-sized Giant Squid,
navigate the Great Barrier Reef, experience the interactive Discovery
Room, and encounter life-sized dinosaurs. Discover the wonders of the
natural world!
Hagley
Museum and Library
P.O. Box 3630, Route 141, Wilmington, DE 19807
Phone: 302-658-2400, Fax: 302-658-0568
Hagley Museum and Library collects, preserves,
and interprets the unfolding history of American enterprise. Hagley Museum
is where the DuPont story begins in the Brandywine Valley and features
the original DuPont mills, estate, and gardens.
Historical
Society of Delaware
505 Market Street Mall, Wilmington, DE 19801
Phone: 302-655-7161 Fax: 302-655-7844
Independence
Visitor Center
1 North Independence Mall West, 6th and Market Streets, Philadelphia,
PA 19106
Toll-Free: 800-537-7676, Phone: 215-925-6101, Fax: 215-925-6106
E-mail
Located in America's most historic square mile, information on over 4,000
local attractions, FREE maps, directions, concierge service, tickets to
local attractions, convenient underground parking, public restrooms, gift
shop and cafe.
National
Constitution Center
525 Arch Street, Independence Mall, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Phone - 215-409-6700, Toll-Free - 866-917-1787, Fax - 215-409-6650
E-mail
The
National Constitution Center is the first museum devoted to the U.S. Constitution,
its history and relevance to our daily lives. Visitors will enjoy the
latest in technology including multi-media exhibits, live theater,
selected artifacts and interactive programming. It's all happening on
Independence Mall in Philadelphia.
Nemours
Mansion and Gardens
1600 Rockland Road, Wilmington, DE 19803
Tour reservations: (302) 651-6912
E-mail
Alfred I. DuPonts French-style chateau furnished with fine examples
of antique furniture, rare rugs, tapestries, and outstanding works of
art is set among spectacular French formal gardens. Tours May-November.
Philadelphia
Museum of Art
26th Street & Benjamin Franklin Parkway, P.O. Box 7646, Philadelphia,
PA 19130
Ph - 215-763-8100, Fx - 215-235-0050
E-mail
Experience 2,000 years of artistic expression in one extraordinary place.
The striking neoclassical building provides an oasis of beauty and a wealth
of activities for visitors of all ages.
Rockwood
Park
610 Shipley Road (Enter on Washington Street), Wilmington, DE 19805
Phone:
302-761-4340, Fax: 302-761-4345
E-mail
Victorian Mansion & public park. Mansion tours 10am-3pm (on the hour)
Friday - Sunday. Group tours available Tuesday - Sunday. Walking paths
6am-10pm. Butler's Pantry Self-Service Café 7am-3pm. FREE.
Wharton
Esherick Studio
Location: Horseshoe Trail, Valley Forge, PA
(mailing address: P.O. Box 595, Paoli, PA 19301-0595)
(610) 644-5822
Guided tours through the unique handcrafted home/studio of the late Dean
of American Craftsmen, reservations required.
Winterthur
Museum & Country Estate
Route 52, Winterthur, DE 19735
Phone - 302-888-4600, Toll-Free - 800-448-3883
E-mail
Discover an incomparable blend of beauty & history at this former
du Pont country estate! Spectacular spring blooms, mansion and garden
tours, special exhibitions, Enchanted Woods children's garden, shopping
& dining.
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