The Winterthur Library

The Winterthur Archives

Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum

5105 Kennett Pike, Winterthur, DE 19735

Telephone: 302-888-4600 or 800-448-3883

 

 

 

OVERVIEW OF COLLECTION

 

     Title:            Oral histories

     Dates:           1962-2012

     Call No.        Archives 36

     Quantity:     185 transcripts

 

 

 

SCOPE AND CONTENT

 

This open collection of oral history interviews and transcripts was part of a Henry Francis du Pont biographical project started in the mid-1970s by museum staff members John Sweeney and Dorothy Greer.  These interviews covered the du Ponts and their close friends, employees living and working on the Winterthur estate, the Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum, the gardens as well as the Winterthur Farms.

 

ORGANIZATION

 

The transcripts are filed alphabetically by last name.  The finding aid lists name, date, subjects, if there is a transcript and remarks.

 

PROVENANCE

 

The early tapes and transcripts were transferred from various museum offices.  Later tapes and transcripts were generated by the Winterthur Archives.

 

 

ACCESS POINTS

 

Atherton, Mrs. Ray

Boyce, Everett

Cannon, William V.

Coffin, Marian, 1876-1957

Colman, George

Crowninshield, Louise, 1877-1958

Du Pont, Henry Francis, 1880-1969

Du Pont, Ruth Wales, 1889-1967

Feliciani, Albert, 1920-2010

Fleming, E. McClung, 1909-1994

Foulsham, Samuel L. c.1925-2013

Greer, Dorothy

Harrison, Pauline Louise, 1918-2007

Henry, Mrs. T. Charlton

Hyde, J.A. Lloyd, 1902-1981

Lattomus, Howard, 1907-1994

Lord, Ruth Ellen, 1922-2014

McCollum, Ruth

Montgomery, Charles F., 1910-1978

Phillips, Harlan B.

Rose, Mr. & Mrs. Reginald

Sack, Albert, 1915-2011

Sweeney, John A.H., 1930-2007

Wyeth, Andrew, 1917-2009

Chestertown House, Southampton, N.Y.

Corbit-Sharp House, Odessa, Del.

Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum

Winterthur Farms

Antique dealers

Antiques

Dairy cattle

Employees

Gardens

Horse racing

Museum docents

Museums

 

Table1

Name

Date

Subject

Transcript

REMARKS

Adams, Wesley

9/27/00

came to museum 1952, finance, H.F. du Pont, museum staff, Board of Trustees, Odessa, buildings

yes

museum financial officer; interviewed by Maggie Lidz; 50pp.

Adamson, Bernice Gilliand

7/26/12

living on estate, father Maurice Gilliand, living in England during war, high school

yes

step-daughter of employee; interviewed by Heather Clewell, 16pp.

Alderson, Jean

3/26/02

Winterthur Museum, guiding

yes

Winterthur guide from 1957 to present; interviewed by Heather Clewell, 19pp.

Arnold, Irv

5/3/00

employee, mechanic, living on estate, Montchanin, H.F. du Pont, Southampton, parties, museum

yes

employee; interviewed by Rhonda Goodman, 14pp.

Atherton, Mrs. Ray

8/19/77

H. F. du Pont, Ruth Wales du Pont, house staff, travel, Winterthur house

yes

family friend; interviewed by John Sweeney, 32pp.

Beardsly, Carolyn

8/28/00

living on estate, gardens, relatives working on estate, estate food, employees, H.F. du Pont, pansies, cows

yes

daughter of Maynard Cash; interviewed by Maggie Lidz, 26 pp.

Beck, Mary (memoirs)

3/81

museum receptionist in 1962, guides, tours

yes

written by Mary Beck; 9pp.

Belden, Louise

1/8/01

museum, guides, objects, Fellows

yes

guide in 1950s, curatorial asst.; interviewed by Heather Clewell, 20 pp.

Bingham, Edgar

1/26/74

H. F. du Pont, Winterthur house, objects, the White House, collectors

yes

antiques dealer, friend; interviewed by John Sweeney, 29pp.

Boyce, Everett

7/15/74

came in 1948, Winterthur Farms, Gray Building, H.F. du Pont, staff, Winterthur house, museum

yes

farm & museum employee; interviewed by Dorothy Greer, 36pp.

Brockman, Emily Norris

9/12/00

lived on the estate, family, employees, Colonel H.A. du Pont, Ruth Ellen du Pont

yes

employee; interview by Maggie Lidz, 15pp.

Brown, Ruth

4/19/06

employee, husband's family lived on estate, family, housekeeping in museum

yes

employee; interviewed by Heather Clewell, 14pp.

Bruce, Harold (Hal)

2/20/76; 5/23/76

came in 1959, garden mapper, azaleas, gardens; FOW talk about gardens & HFD

yes

hired by Gordon Tyrrell; interviewed by Dorothy Greer, 55pp.

Brunner, Hattie

1975-76

H.F. du Pont, antiques

yes

antiques dealer, painter; interviewed by Peter Sparks, 18pp.

Bumpas, George W.

10/22/92

radio repair & installation, tower, estate, staff

yes

interviewed by Richard McKinstry, 56pp.

Canon, William V.

8/10/73

came 1930, teamster, Winterthur Farms, animals, staff, estate, H.F. du Pont

yes

interviewed by John Sweeney & Dorothy Greer, 45pp.

Cantor, Jay

1984

H. F. du Pont, Winterthur

yes

book manuscript; 68pp.

Carroll, Irene

8/1/00

estate, dairy, living on estate, employees, Christmas parties, H.F. du Pont, Chandler Farm, Southampton

yes

lived on estate; interviewed by Maggie Lidz, 31pp.

Cash, Jim

3/8/00

born on estate, grandfather (teamster) came 1927, caddied

yes

fire chief, interviewed by Rhonda Goodman, 11pp.

Cash, Maynard

3/9/73

came in 1925, estate, staff, picking up antiques, Winterthur Farms

yes

farm employee; interviewed by John Sweeney & Dorothy Greer, 24pp.

Cave, Edward Lee

12/28/07

decorative arts, Winterthur, Billy Baldwin, Henry Davis Sleeper

yes

high-end realtor, interviewed by Maggie Lidz & Heather Clewell

Chilcott, Chuck

3/10/05

gardens, living on estate, employees, H.F. du Pont, milking cows, orchard, moving trees, Rolls Royce

yes

employee, son of head of lawns & gardens; interviewed by Heather Clewell, 24 pp.

Ciabationi, Franco

8/3/00

his father working at Winterthur

yes

his father was an employee; interviewed my Maggie Lidz, 14pp.

Clay, Kenneth

8/2/00

Living on the estate, jobs, welfare of employees, families

yes

employee; interviewed by Maggie Lidz, 49pp.

Colman, George

3/28/73; 11/13/00

came in 1939, houseman, H.F. du Pont, object handling, Winterthur House, staff, moving Col. du Pont's library to Longwood, water tower

yes

house employee; interviewed by John Sweeney & Dorothy Greer, 22pp.; interviewed by Maggie Lidz, 24 pp.

Cooper, Wayne

8/16/06

H.F. du Pont hosuehold, serving meals, waiting on HF du Pont, servants

yes

employee; notes from interview with Maggie Lidz

Copeland, Gerret van S.

6/22/12

Winterthur Fellows, H.F. du Pont, Winterthur, Christ Church, family life, antique dealers

yes

relative; interviewed by Maggie Lidz, 30pp.

Copeland, Mrs. Lammot (Pam)

early 1980s

H.F. du Pont, gardens, Winterthur, Louise Crowninshield, family, Board of Trustees

yes

interviewed by John Sweeney & Valencia Libby, 29pp.

Copeland, Mrs. Lammot (Pam)

8/27/84

her family, marriage, Mt. Cuba, gardens, H.F. du Pont

yes

relative; interviewed by Valencia Libby, 29pp.

Crossan, Herb, Jr.

4/26/00

working on room installations, carpentry, Kershner Parlor, the Court, Conservatory

yes

employee; interviewed by Rhonda Goodman, 16pp.

Cruner, Edith Perry

8/6/74

born at Winterthur, Christmas party, Winterthur Farms, staff,

yes

child of employee; interviewed by John Sweeney & Dorothy Greer, 15pp.; letters

Dairy Day

2/21/02

Winterthur Farms, herd, dairy, surrounding farms, methodology

yes

round-table discussion, 51pp.

Dauphin, Stanislas

4/5/00

his family, H.F.D., living on the estate, Col. H.A. du Pont

yes

father was butler; interviewed by Rhonda Goodman, 10 pp.

Davidson, Frank

4/20/06

father Claude Davidson, financial secretary to HFD, Winterthur estate, other office employees, HFD, working on estate

yes

employee, son of employee; interviewed by Heather Clewell, 23pp.

De Bock, Henrik

6/18/75

came in 1960 from Holland, H.F. du Pont, house staff, duties, R.W. du Pont, driving du Ponts

yes

houseman, chauffeur; interviewed by John Sweeney & Dorothy Greer, 59pp.

De Bock, Jerry

9/25/00; 10/2/00

H. F. du Pont, Winterthur, staff, museum, fire dept.

yes

museum employee, interviewed by Heather Clewell, 26pp., 28pp.

De Bock, Jerry

3/1/00

family came 1960 from Holland, father was chauffeur, Winterthur, H.F. du Pont

yes

maintenance; interviewed by Rhonda Goodman; 11pp.

Du Pont, Mrs. Edmond

3/1/73

H. F. du Pont, Christ Church, Col. H.A. du Pont, entertaining,

yes

relative; interviewed by John Sweeney & Dorothy Greer, 32pp.

Du Pont, Mrs. Nicholas

8/6/77

H. F. du Pont, R.W. du Pont, UK trip, gardens, Louise Crowninshield

yes

relative; interviewed by Joh Sweeney, 31pp.

Eipper, Mrs. Walter (Isabel)

7/18/00

working on estate, family, servants, Boarding House, main house, cottage, H.F. du Pont, cooking

yes

employee; interviewed by Maggie Lidz, 33pp.

Estates Day

6/24/02

round table discussion on estates in the Brandywine Valley, including the Main Line, Phila., Longwood, Nemours, Winterthur, Hagley, Mt. Cuba representatives

yes

hard to know who is speaking; hard to follow conversation, 96pp.

Feliciani, Albert

8/1/89

family, came in 1928-29, parties, gardens, staff, H.F. du Pont, plants, M. Coffin, S. Saunders

yes

employee; interviewed by Paul Hensley, 68pp.

Feliciani, Albert

8/29/00

H.F. du Pont, growing flowers, employees, vegetables

yes

employee; interviewed by Maggie Lidz, 23pp.

Feliciani, Albert

4/10/75

came in 1928-1929, gardens, plants, staff, estate life, parties, H.F. du Pont, family

yes

estate & museum employee; interviewed by John Sweeney & Dorothy Greer, 61pp. (also on CD)

Feliciani, Albert & John

2/2/05

greenhouses, flowers, plants, du Pont family, employees

yes

employees; interviewed by Doug Conley (Longwood Fellow), 32 pp. (also on CD)

Feliciani, John

3/8/00

4 generations worked estate, Winterthur, H.F. du Pont

yes

director of horticulture; interviewed by Rhonda Goodman, 10pp.

Fennimore, Don

2/5/09

Philip Curtis, thefts

yes

employee, curator of metals, former student; notes from interview by Maggie Lidz (no tape)

Feucht, Carl

9/15/00

buying cows, farms, visiting estate, cows

yes

farmer; interviewed by Maggie Lidz, 8 pp.

Fisher, Edith McGordy

9/25/00

Gate House, living on the estate, family

yes

family of gate keepers; interviewed by Maggie Lidz, 12 pp.

Fisher, Esther

3/1/00

family came 1967, plumber & electrician, house cleaning, Winterthur, H.F. du Pont

yes

cleaned museum rooms; interviewed by Rhonda Goodman, 10pp.

Fleming, E. McClung

1974

museum, guides, other museum staff,

yes

reflections given at a guides' meeting; museum employee, extras., 30pp.

Foster, Laura & Lincoln

6/7/84

Grace Root, daughter-in-law of Elihu Root, garden at Root Glen, Hamilton College, H.F. du Pont

yes

landscape consultants; interviewed by Valencia Libby, 23pp.

Foulsham, Sam

2000

working & living on estate, cows, golf, H.F. du Pont, Southampton, employees, Christmas, cooking

yes

employee; interviewed by Kimberly Meisten, 26 pp.

Frederick, Nancy

2/14/03

Winterthur, gardens, H.F. du Pont, du Pont family

yes

member of Garden Committee; with Maggie Lidz, 25pp.

Frederick, William H., Jr.

2/20/03

Winterthur, gardens, H.F. du Pont, Hagley

yes

member of Garden Committee; with Maggie Lidz, 25 pp.

George, Theresa

8/19/10

worked in Gardens & Properties office, employees, Albert Feliciani

yes

employee; interviewed by Heather Clewell, 18pp.

Gilliand, Maurice

2/27/73; 5/18/75

came in 1944 as footman, H.F. du Pont, guests, table settings, house staff, Kennedy visit

yes

farewell speech to FOW; butler; interviewed by John Sweeney & Dorothy Greer; employee, 29pp.

Ginsburg, Banjamin

7/16/76

H. F. du Pont as collector, objects

yes

antiques dealer; interviewed by John Sweeney, 13pp.

Gordon, Marie

6/14/00

Wilmington Stair Co., her father, wood craftsman, museum rooms, Charles Montgomery, Joe Downs, H.F du Pont, Tom Waterman, Montchanin, Montmorenci stairs

yes

daughter of owner of Wilmington Stair Co.; interviewed by Kimberly Meisten, 19 pp.

Greer, Dorothy

1/14/85

hired in 1954, public relations, tours, staff, H.F. du Pont, Kennedy visit

yes

museum employee; interviewed by Valencia Libby, 24pp.

Greve, Jesse Reed

9/10/00

employees, dairy herd, barn fire, living on estate, H.F. du Pont, Christmas

yes

daughter of William Reed; interviewed by Maggie Lidz, 18 pp.

Gullborg, James H.

7/28/00

saving sycamore tree on estate, Louise Crowninshield's garden

yes

landscaper; interviewed by Maggie Lidz, 16pp.

Hance, Mrs. Olin

5/13/75

came in 1948, vegetable garden, Winterthur Farms staff, animals, freezing

yes

employee; interviewed by John Sweeney & Dorothy Greer, 79pp.

Handy, Dr. Margaret

8/1/73

trip abroad c.1927, P.L. & R.E. growing up, house staff, H.F. du Pont, R.W. du Pont, A. Wyeth

yes

children's nurse; interviewed by John Sweeney & Dorothy Greer, 48pp.

Harrison, Pauline L

11/30/01

growing up at Winterthur, Col. H.A. du Pont, house staff, H.F. & R.W. du Pont, travel

yes

older daughter of HFD; interviewed by Pauline Eversmann, Maggie Lidz & Heather Clewell, 24pp.

Heacock, Walter J.

5/28/75

Winterthur visits, Christmas, du Pont family, meals, guests

yes

director of Hagley; interviewed by John Sweeney & Dorothy Greer, 42pp.

Heacock, Walter J.

5/29/84

arrived 1954, visits to Winterthur, table settings, flowers, Grace Root, Louise Crowninshield, garden

yes

director of Hagley; interviewed by Valencia Libby, 47pp.

Hearn, Barbara

1/10/00

hired in 1961, H.F. du Pont, Winterthur archives, downtown office

yes

employed by HFD as secretary & museum archivist; interviewed by Heather Clewell, 24 & 17pp.

Heckman, Mrs. Walter

7/19/73

came in 1926, estate staff, living on estate, buildings, babysitting, Christmas, weddings, surrounds

yes

estate & museum employee; interviewed by John Sweeney & Dorothy Greer, 29pp. (also on CD)

Henry, Mrs. T. Charlton

4/19/73

H.F. du Pont, Boca Grande, personalities, portraits

yes

family friend; interviewed by John Sweeney & Dorothy Greer, 31pp.

Herdeg, John A.

8/6/03; 9/5/03

beginnings of the Point-to-Point, Julian Boyd, Board of Trustees; museum directors

yes

former president of the Board of Trustees & Winterthur supporter, collector; 7pp.; 12 pp.

Hill, Mrs. Julian W. (Polly)

5/7/84

H.F. du Pont, gardens

yes

friend; interviewed by Valencia Libby, 7pp.

Hoag, Robert

6/22/10

worked under Conservation as manager for collections maintenance, collections, employees

yes

employee; interviewed by Heather Clewell, 25pp.

Hoffman, F. Burrall

4/26/73

H. F. du Pont, Christ Church, Memorial Library, Boca Grande, White House, horses

yes

college friend, architect; interviewed by John Sweeney & Dorothy Greer, 17pp.

Homsey, Samuel E.

3/31/77

H. F. du Pont, building Pavilion & Copeland Lecture Hall, South Wing, use of Cottage, other houses in area

yes

architect & relative; interviewed by John Sweeney & Dorothy Greer, 39pp.

Hosmer, Charles

7/12/73, 7/18/73

H. F. du Pont, furnishing expanded house, T. Waterman, Bertha Benkard, Henry Davis Sleeper, museum, Charles O. Cornelius, Albert Ely Ives

yes

research papers, interviewed by John Sweeney & Benno Forman, E. McClung Fleming, Nancy Richards, Ian Quimby, Nancy Evans, Louise Belden, S. Fowble

Hughes, Dr. James

12/6/02

Winterthur Farms, care & health of dairy herd, farms staff

yes

veterinarian; with Maggie Lidz, Ed Kee & Heather Clewell, 24pp.

Hummel, Charles

4/6/09

object thefts at Winterthur; Philip Curtis, John Q. Feller

yes

employee; interviewed by Heather Clewell, 13pp.

Hummel, Charles F.

1999

H. F. du Pont, museum growth & operation, WPEAC, WUPAC, museum staff, tours, Dominy, the library, conservation dept., rooms, objects, exhibits, marketing, Odessa, Yuletide, computer program

yes

museum employee, deputy director; 5 interviews, interviewed by Heather Clewell

Hurd, Marie

9/17/08

living on estate, in Director's House, freezing vegetables, employees

yes

employee; interviewed by Heather Clewell, 17 pp.

Hyde, J. A. Lloyd

5/6/74

met H.F. du Pont 1928, early Winterthur house, Port Royal house, room furnishings, objects, Park Ave. apartment, staff, collecting

yes

antiques dealer; interviewed by John Sweeney & Dorothy Greer as a room by room walk through, 60pp.

Irving, Mrs. A. Duer

2/26/71

H. F. du Pont, building addition, Joe Downs, staff, Ruth Wales du Pont, museum rooms, Sunnyside, relatives, objects, Louise Crowninshield

yes

relative; interviewed by Patricia Fleming, 18pp.

Iubatti, Joseph

9/7/00

working on the estate, cutting grass, other employees, H.F. du Pont

yes

employee; interviewed by Maggie Lidz, 33pp.

Jarmon, Frank

7/31/00

brothers working on estate, P.L.'s coming out party, milking cows, orchard, employees, golf, William du Pont

yes

employee; interviewed by Maggie Lidz, 22 pp.

Jayne, Timothy

5/16/00

came in 1962-1972, Winterthur museum conservation, Arthur van Reeth, Jayne family, Gordon Saltar, conservation in general, Andrew Wyeth, paintings conservation, Chinese wallpaper, Research Building

yes

museum employee; interviewed by Lance Moore for the Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation, 43pp.

Kendall, Richard, and notes

4/21/00

Winterthur, came in 1946, dairy work, H.F. du Pont, cows & bulls, breeding, fun activities on estate

yes

interviewed by Rhonda Goodman, 18pp.

Kieffer, Bernie

9/25/00

orchard, father working on estate, living on estate, employees, driving bus

yes

son of employee & employee; interviewed by Maggie Lidz, 25 pp.

Kritausky, Marguerite, Peggy Ford & Tom Marston

8/31/00

A.L. Lauritsen, building homes in area, Winterthur addition, the Sharp family, du Pont family

yes

relatives of A.L. Lauritsen; interviewed by Maggie Lidz, 29pp.

Lanning, Edith Perry

8/6/74

Winterthur Farms, dairy, born on estate in 1918, H.F. du Pont, Christmas parties, family, E.J. Humphries, Baldwin, estate staff

yes

lived here; interviewed by John Sweeney & Dorothy Greer, two other unidentified people, 16pp.

Lattomus, David

10/5/00

living on estate, working as footman, employees, serving dinner, the du Ponts

yes

employee; interviewed by Maggie Lidz, 20pp.

Lattomus, Helen C./ Madaline Lattomus Cullen

8/3/00

Living and working on farms, employees, places on the estate, relatives, working in museum

yes

employee, resident; interviewed with Madaline Lattomus Cullen by Maggie Lidz, 33pp. (Helen Lattomus died on June 24, 2005)

Lattomus, Howard

3/15/73

born on estate, Winterthur Farms, property, H.F. du Pont, estate staff, Col. H.A. du Pont, farm buildings, carpenter, room installations, stone masons, animals, fires, R.W. du Pont

yes

farm employee, later superintendent; interviewed by John Sweeney & Dorothy Greer, 49pp.

Lattomus, Howard

11/19/84

born on estate, Winterthur Farms, Col. H.A. du Pont, carpenter, estate staff, cold frames, greenhouses, Latimeria, farm & herd sale, holidays, gardens, installations

yes

farm employee, later superintendent; interviewed by Valencia Libby, 40pp.

Lattomus, Howard

12/15/88; 2/16/89

original farming operation under Col. H.A. du Pont, E.J. Humphries, estate staff, buildings, farm animals, railroad, sawmill, H.F. du Pont, crops, Boca Grande, dairy herd, milk, gardens, Coffin, Benkard

yes

farms employee, later superintendent; interviewed by Paul Hensley & David Richard in 2 parts, 153pp. total

Layton, Greta

8/02

Point-to-Point, Winterthur, museum, gardens, du Pont family, H.F. du Pont

yes

relative, on Board of Trustees; 2 interviews, with Maggie Lidz & Heather Clewell

Lee, Dale

2/24/00

farm work, family, Winterthur estate, mother was seamstress, H.F. du Pont

yes

security guard; interviewed by Rhonda Goodman, 7pp.

Lee, Ruth

3/29/00

employees, museum, textile conservation, living on estate, Butcher Shop, Christmas

yes

employee, seamstress; interviewed by Rhonda Goodman, 14 pp.

Lindsey, H. L.

11/10/81

Odessa, Corbit-Sharp House, H.R. Sharp, interior woodwork, Marian Coffin, restorations, Louise Crowninshield

yes

carpenter, restorer, antiques dealer; interviewed by Horace Hotchkiss & Marilyn Norcini, 25pp. (many blanks)

Lord, R.E. and Harrison, P.L.

2/2/06

their mother's (Ruth Wales du Pont) music, piano playing, singing

yes

daughters of Ruth Wales du Pont; interviewed by Katie Singles, 9pp.

Lord, Ruth E.

9/7/12

Margaret Murphy, servants, nannies, Ruth Wales du Pont, growing upon estate, travel, George Lord, college

yes

daughter of H.F & Ruth Wales du Pont; interviewed by Maggie Lidz, 45pp.

Lord, Ruth E. D.

10/16/84

H. F. & R.W. du Pont, Winterthur gardens, Col. H.A. du Pont, family

yes

younger daughter; interviewed by Valencia Libby, 48pp

Lothrop, Mr. & Mrs. Francis B.

9/21/76

H. F. & R.W. du Pont, Louise Crowninshield, Boca Grande, property

yes

relatives; interviewed by John Sweeney & Dorothy Greer, 20pp.

Manlove, Dr. Leroy

1/23/06

Winterthur dairy herd and surrounding farms, veterinarian practices

yes

veterinarian; interviewed by Heather Clewell, 11pp.

Maxwell, Cathy

1/28-5/26/00

Charles F. Montgomery, Florence Montgomery, marketing program, museum staff, publications, museum staff, WPEAC Fellows

yes

worked with C. Montgomery, Publications, Marketing; interviewed by Heather Clewell, 6 interviews

Maxwell, Cathy

10/13/11

continuation of Marketing Dept. history, Direct Mail

yes

employee; interviewed by Heather Clewell, 38pp.

McAdoo, Mary Wigglesworth

11/10

Ruth E. du Pont Lord, H.F. & R.W. du Pont, Winterthur, employees

yes

friend of Ruth Lord; questions by Maggie Lidz, dictated to Julie McAdoo, 7pp.

McCann, Ernest

5/24/00

paint shop, working on estate, H.F. du Pont, other employees, family, golf caddy

yes

employee; interviewed by Rhonda Goodman, 20pp.

McCann, Ernest - notes

5/24/00

H.F. du Pont, Winterthur

yes

painting supervisor; 1p.

McCann, Ernest J.

3/24/77

born & raised on estate, Col. H.A. du Pont, painter, estate staff, golf, baseball, H.F. du Pont, Centreville, painting, paints, rooms, museum

yes

painting supervisor; interviewed by John Sweeney & Dorothy Greer,51pp

McCann, Park

8/8/73

came in 1926 as carpenter but was switched to painter, estate staff, buildings, property, Southampton, rooms, painting, parties, H.F. du Pont

yes

painter; interviewed by John Sweeney & Dorothy Greer,35pp.

McCollum, Ruth

5/8/75

started in office in 1918 due to flu, father started working for Col. H.A. du Pont in 1887 & railroad, parties, traveling plans for large number of people, bidding on antiques, house staff

yes

private secretary for H.F. du Pont; interviewed by John Sweeney & Dorothy Greer, 47pp.

McCoy, Anna B.

1/22/07

visiting the du Ponts at Winterthur, the Cottage, the Wyeths, Frolic Weymouth

yes

artist, relative; interviewed by Maggie Lidz with Heather Clewell, 20pp.

Meloro, Aniello, and notes

6/7/00

father came in 1957 & worked in garden, came in 1962 as laborer, trained as carpenter, stone mason & bricklayer, museum, property, laid off 1969, called back 1978, rooms, H.F. du Pont

yes

carpenter & mason, interviewed by Rhonda Goodman; 17pp.

Mendolia, Salvatore

11/13/00

worked with Ernest LoNano on fabrics at Winterthur, upholsterer, French & Co.

yes

upholsterer; interviewed by phone by Maggie Lidz (he was 90 yrs. old), 11pp.

Merrell, Elinor

3/6/74

H. F. du Pont, Bertha Benkard, Winterthur house, gardens, museum, textile fabrics, Amy Pleadwell, Jo Howell, Cooper-Hewitt, Alice Beer

yes

textile dealer, interior designer; interviewed by John Sweeney & Dorothy Greer?, 21pp. (also on CD)

Montgomery, Charles F.

9/27/76

H. F. du Pont, cataloging collection, Joe Downs, Gilbert Ask, rooms, scientific investigation, garden tours, staff, library, conferences

yes

antiques dealer, former Winterthur Museum director; a talk to the Friends of Winterthur, 19pp.

Montgomery, Charles F.

9/27/76

conservation, antique dealer, fire dept., safety issues, proving authenticity, Victor Hansen, Harold Plenderleith, air conditioning, lab equipment, pewter, WPEAC

yes

former director of Winterthur Museum, dealer; interviewed by Joyce Hill Stoner, 10pp., part of the Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic & Artistic Works

Montgomery, Charles F.

5/16/77

H. F. du Pont, jobs, objects, Joe Downs, start-up of museum, Frank Otwell, rooms, staff, logistics of opening museum, the White House, WPEAC, Gilbert Ask

yes

antiques dealer, museum director; interviewed by John Sweeney, 68pp. (also on CDs)

Moseley, Lisa Dean

8/20/03

du Pont family & estates, Nemours, land behind Centerville, her house

yes

relative; interviewed by Maggie Lidz, 36pp

Mulford, W. Erroll

5/22/75

came in 1927 to play ball, given job as a painter, dairy herd, carpenter, staff, estate buildings, fish, hanging curtains, rugs, Southampton, room installations, H.F. du Pont

yes

baseball player, employee; interviewed by John Sweeney & Dorothy Greer, 57pp.

Nylander, Jane

2/28/08

being a WPEAC student in 1959-1960, museum & university teaching personnel, classmates

yes

former WPEAC student; interviewed by Heather Clewell, 32pp

O'Hear, Rev. John

7/15/75

H. F. du Pont, theology, vestry meetings, Christ Church, F. Burrall Hoffman, R.W. du Pont, church objects in museum

yes

Christ Church pastor; interviewed by John Sweeney & Dorothy Greer, 31pp.

Perkins, Margaret

4/30/02

H.F. du Pont, University of Delaware, Winterthur, WPEAC, Rodney Sharp

yes

wife of Dean Perkins of the University of Delaware; interviewed by Heather Clewell, 20pp.

Petroll, Walter O.

3/27/75

hired by H.F. du Pont in 1960, gardens staff, Gordon Tyrrell, propagation, plants, H.F. du Pont & gardening, gardens, flowers

yes

gardens employee; interviewed by John Sweeney & Dorothy Greer, 62pp.

Phillips, Glenn & Pat

8/23/00

saw mill, fence crew, H.F. du Pont, Marvin Brown, working on farm, living on estate, relatives, employees

yes

employee, relative of employee; interviewed by Maggie Lidz, 20 pp.

Phillips, Harlan B.

4/11/62

interview with H.F. du Pont, farm, history of Winterthur, Col. H.A. du Pont, gardens, traveling, woodwork, furniture, museum rooms, antiques, textiles, WPEAC, azaleas, bulls & cows

yes

interviewed by Harlan Phillips for the Archives of American Art; 48pp.

Piazza, Irene E. McDowell

6/16/00

Winterthur estate, family, Christmas parties, people on estate, jobs

yes

father worked on estate; interviewed by Kimberly Meisten, 9pp.

Potts, Philip

12/5/00

relatives working on estate, vegetable garden, employees, living on estate, basketball, the dairy, Christmas, H.F. du Pont & family

yes

son of Leslie Potts, superintendent; interviewed by Maggie Lidz, 24 pp.

Racine, David

6/5/05

working on estate, family, chauffeuring, HFD family, cars, employees, estate

yes

son of chauffeur, employee; interviewed by Heather Clewell, 40pp.

Raley, Robert [David William & niece Judy McGeorge]

4/20/07

WPEAC, museum employees, Chestertown House, H.F. du Pont, remodeling of museum rooms, Gray Building, Boca Grande, the Sharps, Odessa

yes

museum architect; interviewed by Maggie Lidz, 26 pp.

Ramsdell, Mary-Alice (Breon)

7/29/06

children on the estate

email

father was a butcher; sent to Maggie Lidz via email

Regenhard, Hermann

9/14/00

employees, P.L. Harrison, Southampton, H.F. du Pont & family, table decorations, serving meals, foods, Rolls Royces

yes

employee, footman; interviewed by Maggie Lidz, 25 pp.

Reilly, Lillian

6/21/12

H.F. & R.W. du Pont, Christ Church

yes

acquaintance; interviewed by Heather Clewell, 11pp.

Richard, Dave, Jr.

9/5/00

gardens on estate, employees, H.F.D., moving trees

yes

employee; interviewed by Maggie Lidz, 32pp.

Robertson, G. Alex

4/5/00

Winterthur gardens, staff, family, H.F.D., Christmas parties, H.A. du Pont, jobs, flowers, baseball team

yes

employee; interviewed by Rhonda Goodman, 17pp.

Rose, Mr. & Mrs. Reginald

12/13/73

Louise Crowninshield, Bertha Benkard, H.F. du Pont, Tom Waterman, museum rooms, dining, 25th anniversary party, P.L. & Ruth's weddings

yes

family friends; interviewed by John Sweeney & Charles Hummel, 32pp.

Rosenberry, Don

6/22/10

worked in auto shop, maintenance

yes

employee; interviewed by Heather Clewell, 20 pp.

Roseo, Anna Marie - notes

6/5/00

H.F. du Pont, growing up at Winterthur, family

yes

1p.

Sack, Albert

3/5/03

antiques, dealers, fakes, H.F. du Pont, collectors, buying and selling

yes

antique dealer; interviewed by Brock Jobe, 27pp.

Sack, Albert

11/7/02

antiques business, Israel Sack, collectors, objects, antiques dealers, Harry Arons, Maxim Karolik, John Walton, prices, Ima Hogg, Mitchell Taradash

yes

antiques dealer; interviewed by Brock Jobe, 30pp.

Saunders, Silvia

6/4/84

her father Arthur Percy Saunders, from Canada, family, hybridizing, horticulture, peonies, tree peonies, nursery, H.F. du Pont, Chelsea Flower Show 1962

yes

horticulturist; interviewed by Valencia Libby, 61pp.

Schmutzler, Frieda

5/26/78

H. F. du Pont, Katrina Kipper, objects, family, antiques business, Maxim Karolik

yes

antiques dealer; interviewed by John Sweeney & Dorothy Greer, 33pp.

Schwartz, Marvin D.

5/13/75

H.F. du Pont, R.W. du Pont, Southampton, Edgar Richardson, WPEAC program, the Montgomerys, parties, Barnes Foundation, 1st class of Fellows, the White House

yes

WPEAC fellow; interviewed by John Sweeney & Dorothy Greer, 27pp.

Sharp, H. Rodney

pre 1968

early life history, Delaware College, Odessa, Gibraltar

yes

relative; interviewed by Bill Frank of the NewsJournal, 17pp.

Sharpe, Thelma Humphries

2/23/89

daughter of E.J. Humphries, builder & farm superintendent, came in 1915, family history, Col. H.A. du Pont, estate life & staff, buildings, dairy herd, H.F. du Pont, Louise Crowninshield

yes

lived on estate; interviewed by Paul Hensley, 25pp.

Shehan, Jean Ellen du Pont

5/27/03

du Pont family, Wilmington social life, H.F. du Pont, Pelleport, Crooked Billet

yes

relative; interviewed by Maggie Lidz, 23pp.

Shotzberger, Dora

4/21/00

living and working on estate, museum, employees, H.F. du Pont

yes

employee; interviewed by Rhonda Goodman, 12pp.

Skinner, Henry T.

6/6/84

horticulturalists, Dexter hybrids, azaleas, Morris Arboretum, rhododendrons, H.F. du Pont, gardens, National Arboretum, Marian Coffin, Harry Chilcott, Gardens Advisory Committee, Arnold Aboretum

yes

horticulturist; interviewed by Valencia Libby, 25pp.

Smith, Warren H.

5/24/84

Marian Coffin, exhibits, Smith bought parts of Coffin's estate including house, family history, parties, James Scheiner, H.F. du Pont, method of work, plants, designs, travel

yes

friend of M. Coffin; interviewed by Valencia Libby, 45pp.

Strange, Adeline

10/16/00

Ruth Wales du Pont, Col. H.A. du Pont, parties, P.L. and R.E. du Pont, family, Louise Crowninshield, H.F. du Pont, C.F. Montgomery

yes

family friend; interviewed by Maggie Lidz, 23pp.

Sweeney, John

2/16/72

H. F. du Pont, dining, WPEAC students, museum staff, objects

yes

WPEAC student, deputy director, practice interview with Dorothy Greer; 6pp.

Sweeney, John

3/4/97

rooms in museum, furniture

yes

WPEAC student, deputy director; interviewed by Tara Gleason;

Sweeney, John A. H.

1998-1999

H. F. du Pont, museum, R.W. du Pont, 1968 trip to England, museum expansion & staff, WPEAC, Henry Davis Sleeper, Southampton, Boca Grande, Bertha Benkard, Ives, farms, Waterman, estate, White House

yes

WPEAC student, deputy director; interviewed by Heather Clewell, 13 interviews

Sweeney, John A. H.

2/13/86

H. F. du Pont

yes

Colonial Dames project; 18pp.

Sweeney, John A. H.

1/13/88; 2/12/76

H. F. du Pont & collecting, R.W. du Pont, the White House, Henry Davis Sleeper, rooms & installations, objects, gardens, colors, South Wing, dining, trip to England in 1968

yes

deputy director, WPEAC student; reminiscences for Sotheby's Fine Arts program, 13pp.; interview by Dorothy Greer, 37pp.

Sweeney, John A. H.

1/16/85

WPEAC student, Winterthur estate, C.F. & Florence Montgomery, Pam Copeland, room research, "Winterthur Illustrated"

yes

WPEAC fellow, curator, deputy director; interviewed by Valencia Libby, 5pp.

Taylor, Arthur

11/19/02

wrote H.F. du Pont about seeing collection, Winterthur

yes

collector; interviewed by Heather Clewell, 9pp.

Taylor, Dana

4/5/73

came in 1917 to work on farm, 1918 became chauffeur, Dick Upright, antiquing, R.W. du Pont & driving, cars, H.F. du Pont, Col. H.A. du Pont, weekend guests, farms, driving H.F. du Pont

yes

chauffeur; interviewed by John Sweeney & Dorothy Greer, 44pp.

Toulson, Vernon

8/14/00

living & working on the estate, Montchanin, other estate employees, H.F. du Pont

yes

employee; interviewed by Maggie Lidz, 45pp.

Trivits, Bob & Doris

9/11/00

farm, diary, H.F. du Pont, farm animals, Christmas parties, farm products, employees

yes

employee; interviewed by Maggie Lidz, 36pp.

Trivits, Glen

8/5/00

living on estate, dairy cattle, baseball, barns, working on estate, employees, sledding, ice skating

yes

employee; interviewed by Maggie Lidz, 20 pp.

Trivits, Robert W.

4/2/75

came in 1962 for calf barn, naming system, pedigrees, H.F. du Pont, food & freezing, farms, staff, Christmas parties, estate buildings, dairy herd, turkeys

yes

dairyman, head of properties; interviewed by John Sweeney & Dorothy Greer, 40pp.

Tyrrell, Gordon

8/30/84

horticulturalist from England, staff, various arboretums, came in 1959-60, H.F. du Pont, gardens, buildings, large stone items, Quarry, flowers in museum, plants, azaleas

yes

head gardener; interviewed by Valencia Libby & Elizabeth du Pont, 40pp.

University Hospital Antiques Show

1964

H. F. du Pont, Winterthur

yes

dedication written by John Sweeney; 5pp.

Upright, Anna & Kipp, Jane

2/22/73

sisters in Norris family, father was coachman for Col. H.A. du Pont, lived on estate, fox terriers, estate staff, H.F. du Pont, horses, house staff, Post Office, Christmas parties, R.W. du Pont, chauffeurs

yes

employees; interviewed by John Sweeney & Dorothy Greer, 23pp. (also on CD)

Van Ravenswaay, Charles

11/20/84

came for museum opening in 1951, Cooper Hewitt Museum, H.F. du Pont & his death, Research Building, gardens, Sundial Garden, staff, gardeners

yes

museum director; interviewed by Valencia Libby, 39pp.

Van Ravenswaay, Charles

9/27/89

Winterthur garden, jobs before Winterthur, museum staff, H.F. du Pont, Board of Trustees, H.F.'s death, Research Building, former directors, rooms, museum, dairy herd, various programs

yes

museum director; interviewed by Paul Hensley, 45pp.

Vickers, Alys

7/14/09

golf, golf course, living on estate, Percy Vickers, H.F. du Pont, employees, Louise Crowninshield

yes

daughter of employee; interviewed by Heather Clewell, 21 pp.

Vickers, Percy (& wife)

3/21/73

came in 1928, previous jobs, H.F. du Pont, golf course at Winterthur, guests, estate staff, Golf Cottage, ball field, azaleas, du Pont family

yes

golf pro, employee; interviewed by John Sweeney & Dorothy Greer ,42pp.

Vietor, Mrs. Alexander (Anna Glen Vietor)

5/3/03; 6/26/03

relatives, H.F. du Pont, Foster side of family, visiting Winterthur, museum, Louise & Frank Crowninshield, Butler family

yes

relative, museum guide; interviewed by Maggie Lidz, 32pp.

Wagner, Dick & Martha

7/25/00

living on estate, farming, H.F. du Pont, employees, prices of farm products

yes

employee; interviewed by Maggie Lidz, 32pp.

Wagner, Richard

7/28/00

golf course, living & working on estate, employees, Percy Vickers, H.F. du Pont

yes

employee; interviewed by Maggie Lidz, 10pp.

Wagner, Russell

6/19/09

living on estate, employees, Oakes Place, farm superintendents, working on estate

yes

employee; interviewed by Maggie Lidz, 25 pp.

Wagner, Russell

10/2/00

living on estate, employees, H.F.D., museum, dairy operation, cars

yes

employee; interviewed by Maggie Lidz, 20pp.

Webster, Charles

4/7/84

met H.F. in the 50s, Doris Duke estate, H.F. du Pont, various public gardens, Winterthur gardens, plants

yes

member of the Horticultural Society of New York; interviewed by Valencia Libby, 11 pp.

Webster, Charles

3/16/73

Horticultural Society of New York, Doris Duke estate, H.F. du Pont, other public gardens, Harvard Arboretum, Gordon Tyrrell,

yes

friend, member of the Horticultural Society of New York; interviewed by John Sweeney & Dorothy Greer, 21pp.

Welch, John H.

3/2/73

worked for American Car & Foundry who did millwork (woodwork) for Winterthur, did many jobs in Wilmington area, Wilmington Stair Shop, rooms, H.F. du Pont, T. Waterman, L. Potts

yes

tradesman, craftsman; interviewed by John Sweeney & Dorothy Greer, 27pp.

Wells, Nancy Jessup

6/11/04

early years at Winterthur, tennis, swimming pool, gardens

yes

mother was international tennis star; came for dinner with liveried servants behind guests; Walter Heacock; PTP; Campaign for Winterthur

Wenrich, Carol

8/13/12

growing up on estate, relatives, employees

yes

daughter of Jane Norris & Carlton Kipp; interviewed by Heather Clewell; 38pp.

Weymouth, George

3/2/77

H. F. du Pont, R.W. du Pont, du Pont family, Rodney Sharp, dining, museum

yes

relative; interviewed by John Sweeney & Dorothy Greer, 36pp.

Wood, Lewis

5/3/00

working on estate, H.F. du Pont, golf, swimming pool, gardens, moving & planting trees, Christmas, living on estate, parties

yes

employee; interviewed by Rhonda Goodman, 18 pp.

Wunder, Richard - notes

1/16/01

Cooper Hewitt, came to visit in 1956, flowers, dining, weekends, entertaining, gardens, R. W. du Pont, H.F. du Pont, Col. H.A. du Pont

friend; interviewed by Maggie Lidz, 3pp. (tape damaged)

Wyeth, Andrew & Betsy

4/16-17/99; 1/17/00; 1/24/00

H.F. du Pont, Dr. Margaret Handy, H.F.D. posing, dining, "Quaker Ladies"

yes

artist; as told to Joyce Hill Stoner, total of 8pp.

Wyeth, Andrew, with Helga Testorf, Mary Landa, Karen Baumgar

5/23/07

H.F. & R.W. du Pont, Margaret Handy, "Quaker Ladies", posing, portrait, dining

yes

artist; interviewed by Joyce Hill Stoner, signed release by Jamie Wyeth, 9 pp.

Yeagle, Hazel

9/21/00

living on estate, E.J. Humphries, employees, H.F. du Pont

yes

granddaughter of farm superintendent; interviewed by Maggie Lidz, 27pp.