SUNDAY, MAY 8 , 2022. THE WASHINGTON POST EZ EE F3
the Kennedy restoration project,
and du Pont worked with her to
do so. John Singer Sargent’s “The
Mosquito Net” was given to the
White House by the Johnsons in
the Kennedys’ honor and remains
in the Green Room, where it was
originally placed.
Watching the televised tour to-day, one is struck by the optimism
of the times. At the end of the
program, the president appears
and pays tribute to the restora-
tion, noting the resonance of the
building’s history. “In the Ar-
chives building down Pennsylva-
nia Avenue, there is a stone, a
plaque which says, ‘What is pastis prologue,’ ” he said. “While it
doesn’t give us a key to the future,
I think it does give us a sense of
confidence in the future. This
country has passed through very
difficult days, but it has passed
through them.”Nathan is a writer based in Bethesda.by the Smithsonian Institution.)
Du Pont, who first visited the
White House shortly after the
Kennedys moved in, played a key
role in its restoration. A Republi-
can, he agreed to head the com-
mittee, inspired by the first lady’s
goal of showcasing American ar-
tisans. “This house should be the
place we see them best.”
For visitors, the link between
Winterthur and the White House
unfolds in two parts: the exhibit,
as well as a “Walking in Jackie’s
Footsteps” tour of about 10 rooms
that she viewed with du Pont on
May 8, 1961. In the tour of those
glowing Winterthur rooms, with
their rare pieces, beautiful car-
pets and fresh flowers, you see
standout examples of du Pont’s
eye for mixing beauty of decora-
tion with expert collecting.
Among the highlights are his out-
standing Chippendale collection,
George Washington’s dinner serv-
ice, brought from China on the
first merchant ship making that
journey, and several large ster-
ling-silver tankards made by Paul
Revere. (The small-group “Foot-
steps” tour requires a reserva-
tion.)
The exhibit begins with a red-
carpet walk through a white-col-
umned facade intended to resem-
ble the North Portico of the White
House. Inside, on a center plat-
form, are huge vintage TV camer-
as lent by the Museum of Broad-
cast Technology in Rhode Island,
as well as a mannequin wearing a
reproduction of the two-piece red
dress the first lady wore on the
tour, which is now in the collec-
tion of the John F. Kennedy Presi-
dential Library and Museum in
Boston. On the walls are items
such as Jackie Kennedy’s hand-
written notes for the tour and
video screens playing excerpts
from the program.
Next are vignettes depicting
public rooms of the White House
— the Red, Blue and Green rooms
and the Diplomatic Reception
Room — and a final one showcas-
ing the restoration’s designs for
the building’s private rooms.
The Green Room is particular-
ly interesting, because it was
there that du Pont focused his
effort to encourage Jackie Ken-
nedy, who had studied in Paris, to
highlight American rather than
French furnishings. (The Blue
Room, for example, held more
than 50 French objets d’art and
furnishings purchased by Presi-
dent James Monroe, a former
minister to France.) It was here
that she showcased several his-
torical pieces. For example, her
restoration of the room featured a
mirror that belonged to George
Washington, dating from the pe-
riod when Philadelphia was the
U.S. capital.
Some of the house’s historical
pieces were hidden in plain view.
The sleuthing by Jackie Ken-
nedy’s committee and the White
House curator — a staff job she
was instrumental in creating —
turned up a French table that was
being used as a sawhorse in the
White House carpenter’s shop
and a bust of George Washington
in a White House men’s room.
Based on an engraving that de-
picted where Monroe had placed
them, both were restored to the
Blue Room.
The exhibit includes several
examples of the restoration
team’s ingenuity. The vignette
representing the oval Diplomatic
Reception Room, for example,
includes a huge photo of the
circa- 1834 wallpaper the restora-
tion team salvaged from a house
in Thurmont, Md., that was being
demolished. Featuring views of
North American landmarks, the
wallpaper remains in the White
House to this day.
The restoration team ran into
several obstacles. President Har-
ry S. Truman, back home in Mis-
souri, rejected several entreaties
to return the State Dining Room
mantel that big-game hunter
President Theodore Roosevelt
had installed in 1902, with carved
bison heads on each end. (Jackie
Kennedy had a copy made.) Simi-
larly, the Daughters of the Ameri-
can Revolution declined to return
a chair from the Monroe Blue
Room suite. Fortunately, du
Pont’s contacts with the country’s
major antiques dealers bore fruit,
and the committee persuaded do-
nors to purchase objects for the
restoration.
The Oval Office was in the
midst of its restoration when the
president was assassinated. Lady
Bird Johnson wanted to continue
WINTERTHUR FROM F1
Unfurling Winterthur’s role in the White House restoration
If You Go
WHERE TO STAY
The Inn at Montchanin Village
528 Montchanin Rd., Montchanin,
Del.
302-888-2133
montchanin.com
This highly rated inn, which is listed
on the National Historic Register, is
about two miles from Winterthur.
Rooms from $188 per night.
Inn at Mendenhall
323 Kennett Pike, Mendenhall, Pa.
610-388-1181
mendenhallinn.com
Established in 1777, the Inn at
Mendenhall is just across the
Pennsylvania state line and is
about four miles from Winterthur.
Rooms from about $130 per night.
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel
Wilmington
4727 Concord Pike, Wilmington,
Del.
302-478-6000
hilton.com
This conveniently located hotel is
about five miles from Winterthur.
Rooms from about $142 per night.WHERE TO EAT
Krazy Kats
528 Montchanin Rd., Montchanin,
Del.
302-888-4200
krazykatsde.com
Located at the Inn at Montchanin,
this highly rated restaurant offers
steaks, seafood and burgers. Open
daily 5 to 8 p.m. for dinner and
Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 2
p.m. for brunch. Entrees from $26,
burgers from $18.
Inn at Mendenhall restaurant
323 Kennett Pike, Mendenhall, Pa.
610-388-1181
mendenhallinn.com
A popular restaurant inside the inn.
Open Wednesday and Thursday at
4 p.m., last seating 8 p.m.; Friday 4
p.m., last seating 8:30 p.m.;
Saturday 3 p.m., last seating 8:30
p.m.; and Sunday 3 p.m., last
seating 7:30 p.m. Sunday brunch
10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Closed
Monday and Tuesday. Steaks from
$34, crab cake from $25,
sandwiches from $16.
Pizza by Elizabeths
3801 Kennett Pike, Wilmington,
Del.
302-654-44 78
pizzabyelizabeths.com
The theme of this restaurant’s
eclectic interior is famous
Elizabeths, and its decor includes
odes to Elizabeth Taylor and Queen
Elizabeth II. It’s located in a
shopping area and boasts a menu
with pizzas named after famous
Elizabeths, such as: the Shue,
Boop, Queen and Taylor. Open
Sunday to Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 9
p.m. and Friday and Saturday until
10 p.m. Entree-size pizzas from
$13.WHAT TO DO
Winterthur Museum, Garden &
Library
5105 Kennett Pike, Winterthur,
Del.
302-888-4600
winterthur.org
An acclaimed collection of
American antiques and interiors,
with nearly 90,000 objects in
Henry Francis du Pont’s former
home. “Jacqueline Kennedy and H.
F. du Pont: From Winterthur to the
White House” on view May 7 to Jan.- Open Tuesday through Sunday,
10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Feb. 26 through
mid-November; museum and
galleries open through Jan. 8 and
closed through early March, but
outdoor areas open. Admission
good for two consecutive days and
includes the special exhibit and a
tour that traces Jackie Kennedy’s
route through the house.
“Footsteps” tour available every
half-hour from 2 to 3:30 p.m. for up
to eight people. Self-guided tours
available, as well as one-hour
expert-led “Closer Look” tours for
small groups. Reservations
required for guided tours.
Admission $22 per adult, $20
seniors 62 and over and students;
$8 children 2 to 11. Additional $10
per person for “Closer Look” tours.
INFORMATION
visitwilmingtonde.comPHOTOS BY WINTERTHUR MUSEUM, GARDEN & LIBRARYFROM TOP: The new
Winterthur e xhibit includes
a reproduction of the red
dress that Jackie Kennedy
wore during t he televised
1962 tour; within the
exhibit are vignettes
depicting public rooms of
the White House, such as
the Red Room; the Green
Room vignette depicts H. F.
duPont’s e fforts to
encourage Kennedy, who
had studied in Paris, to
highlight American rather
than French furnishings.Stay one step ahead of the weather with theCapital Weather Gangwashingtonpost.com/news/capital-weather-gang • @capitalweatherpicnic or movie?S0141 6x1.
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