Preserving and Researching American Decorative Arts

NEH funding has supported work at Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library since the 1970s, helping the organization protect and showcase an unparalleled collection of American Decorative Arts. Image courtesy of Winterthur.

The Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library is one of the United States’ most significant museums and research centers dedicated to American decorative arts. Its extensive collections include ceramics, furniture, glass, metalwork, paintings, prints, textiles, and needlework—nearly 90,000 examples of American artistry created and used between 1630 and 1860. Since the 1970s, the NEH has offered Winterthur essential support in preserving and providing access to its collections, as well as encouraging academic research on the unique items it holds. And in 2020, the NEH extended that support through an NEH CARES grant, helping Winterthur retain employees while creating opportunities to engage with the public throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Winterthur’s grounds and gardens offered a way for people to safely access Winterthur’s offerings during the COVID-19 pandemic. Image courtesy of Winterthur.

Winterther Museum, Garden & Library showcases American decorative arts. Image courtesy of Winterthur.

The parlor at Winterthur showcases examples of the fine furnishings and other decorative arts collected and preserved by the organization. Image courtesy of Winterthur.

Substantial NEH funding has supported the preservation and cataloging of Winterthur’s collections, ensuring the longevity and accessibility of these collections. A recent project, for instance, is helping Winterthur analyze and catalog its substantial collection of objects made from organic materials like horn, ivories, bone, and skins. In addition to making these collections more accessible, the knowledge gained during this analysis will help other collecting institutions better understand the materials in their own collections. The NEH has also provided long-term support for fellowships at Winterthur, ensuring that experts have the opportunity to research and publish on the items and books in its collections. And multiple challenge grants have had lasting impacts on the organization while helping it raise more than $6.5 million in matching funds. These grants have supported endowed staff positions in rare books and conservation. A $1 million grant made in the 1980s helped the organization build exhibition space that is still being used.

Through workshops, Winterthur builds the capacity of conservators more broadly, promoting best practices and knowledge acquisition in a way that has an impact far beyond the bounds of the estate. Image courtesy of Winterthur.

Finally, in a time of unprecedented uncertainty for cultural institutions, its NEH CARES grant helped Winterthur retain several staff members. In addition to keeping these people employed, the grant helped Winterthur meet its mission during a period of physical distancing by supporting website redesign and the development of a virtual tour and other digital content to engage with the public.