Delaware and Pennsylvania: Brandywine Valley

Settling here around the time of the Revolutionary War, the Du Pont family soon amassed a fortune by manufacturing gunpowder (chemicals and synthetic materials later continued to increase their prosperity). Luckily for visitors, they also maintained elegant homes that have been preserved and opened to the public, as well as the horticultural retreat Longwood Gardens.

One of the most impressive of these residences, Winterthur in Wilmington, Delaware, once belonged to Henry Francis Du Pont, an ardent collector of American arts and crafts items. A highlight of visiting the museum is taking a guided tour of some of Winterthur’s 175 exquisitely decorated rooms. Those who just want an overview will find plenty to see in the main gallery, gardens, and Campbell Collection of Soup Tureens. The Hagley Museum and Eleutherian Mills will also thrill historic preservation enthusiasts, while the Brandywine River Museum displays artwork by the talented Wyeth family.

If you’ve seen enough Paul Revere silver and chandeliers to hold you for a while, head for beautiful Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania. Not surprisingly, this estate also housed a Du Pont, in this case, Pierre, a former General Motors chairman. With 1,050 acres of gardens (and more inside the conservatories), Longwood Gardens provides wonder and relaxation. Indeed, the Brandywine Valley remains relatively untouched by encroaching architectural developments, and features some of the best horseback riding in the eastern United States. Whether you love examining interior décor or reveling in flowers and green fields, you’ll find your niche in the Brandywine Valley.