About Us
Welcome to the Winterthur Program in American Material Culture.
Focused on the material world of America in historical and global contexts, the Winterthur Program addresses the complicated lives of objects, the way in which objects fostered human relationships, and how objects ranging from the seventeenth century to the modern era enable us to understand the past in all of its diversity.
Students come from across the country and also from abroad, with diverse backgrounds reflected by a range of undergraduate majors. Our faculty are leaders and scholars in the various fields of curating and museum studies, art history, history, literary studies, anthropology, and archaeology. At both Winterthur and the University of Delaware, field studies, visiting researchers, and other professionals connect our students with faculty and colleagues around the world.
The Program’s founding values in 1952—disciplined looking, analytical reasoning, careful recording, and even scientific testing—continue to shape the Program today. All Winterthur Program students have the rare privilege of handling objects in the Museum collection, encouraging them to personally engage with a wide range of materials from many different time periods and regions.
Students select the Winterthur Program for its small size, cohort model, unparalleled level of mentoring, experiential learning, and its commitment to fully fund all students and prepare them for future careers.
Martin Brückner
Director, Winterthur Program in American Material Culture
Visit Us
The main office of the Winterthur Program in American Material Culture is located at the Louise duPont Crowninshield Research Building.
The Winterthur Museum is approximately 30 minutes away from Newark, DE. An hour from both Philadelphia and Baltimore, two hours from Washington D.C. and two and a half hours from New York City.
The College’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are significant parts of the University of Delaware's College of Arts and Sciences values and goals. The college's commitment to these values is not just evident in its student body but also in its faculty, staff, and curriculum, ensuring a fully inclusive experience. Through this steadfast dedication to diversity and inclusivity, the college continues to enrich its educational offerings, allowing each student to benefit from a wide array of viewpoints and experiences.
