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Dear Friends: Welcome to the 54th annual Delaware Antiques Show, a Brandywine Valley tradition offering the very best in American decorative and fine arts as well as informative and entertaining presentations. This festive gathering benefiting Winterthur’s varied educational programs once again brings together not only old friends but also new collectors eager to learn, dedicated and knowledgeable dealers who offer the finest in the marketplace, and visitors who continue to support us year after year. This year Winterthur is pleased to congratulate the Biggs Museum of American Art on the 25th anniversary of its founding. Curator Ryan Grover has organized a marvelous loan show that highlights the legacy of collector Sewell C. Biggs, who was greatly admired by all of us at Winterthur. Biggs’s vision of celebrating the decorative arts of early Delaware has culminated in a gem of an institution. We send heartfelt “Cheers” to our southern neighbor in Dover on this memorable occasion! From an enlightening glimpse into “creating places to call home” from keynote lecturer and award-winning architect Gil Schafer to an insider’s look at H. F. du Pont’s fabulous curtain installations, presented by author and Winterthur interior designer Sandy Brown, design and creativity reign supreme throughout the weekend. As a teaching institution, Winterthur is justly proud of its graduate programs in conservation and American material culture, encouraging and supporting young scholars in the field. On Saturday afternoon, join Trent Rhodes and Candice Candeto, Lois F. McNeil Fellows, as they delve into fascinating facts and legends surrounding topics as diverse as the Civil War−era “agitator” Barbara Fritchie and the notable Natchez, Mississippi, cabinetmaker Robert Stewart. Both presentations are an outgrowth of research conducted for their studies. Finally, we offer sincere thanks to all our sponsors, advertisers, patrons, dealers, volunteers, and visitors. We wouldn’t have a show without your continued dedication and support. Staging an event of this magnitude calls for true collaboration, and we extend our gratitude for all your contributions. We look forward to seeing you again in 2018! Sincerely, David P. Roselle Director Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library