Washington Winter Show 2026

Hillwood Estate, Museum& Gardens 4155 Linnean Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20008 |  hillwoodmuseum.org Hillwood Estate, Museum& Gardens celebrates America 250 and the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence with special displays highlighting relevant objects and documents from founder Marjorie Merriweather Post’s collection. From supporting women’s su rage and establishing a canteen for women and children during the Great Depression to supplying troops with supplies during WorldWar I, lending her yacht to the U.S. Navy during WorldWar II, and representing the country as a diplomatic hostess, Post was a dedicated humanitarian and patriot. From June 2026 to January 2027, installations throughout Hillwood’s mansion will feature pieces related to historic gures involved with America’s independence, such as a Sèvres porcelain cup and saucer adorned with the portrait of Benjamin Franklin and letters signed by Franklin and George Washington. Additional archival materials on view will include Post’s invitations to presidential inaugurations and those illustrating her dedication to the United States throughout her lifetime. Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library 5105 Kennett Pike, Winterthur, Delaware 19735 |  winterthur.org Winterthur Museumwill celebrate its 75th anniversary—and America’s 250th—with a bold and beautiful exhibition, Challenging Masterpieces: Art and Identity in American Furniture, which opens September 26, 2026. Showcasing more than 40 standout pieces from the collection, each selection was chosen for its exceptional craftsmanship, inventive design, or use of rare or unexpected materials. Through immersive displays and up- close looks at construction details, the exhibition invites you to explore what makes a “masterpiece”: Who gets to decide what’s considered great design? Whose stories have been left out? And is the term “masterpiece” still appropriate today? Whether you’re drawn to the artistry of a hand-carved leg, the cleverness of a hidden drawer, or the cultural stories behind a chair’s design, Challenging Masterpieces o ers a fresh perspective that celebrates creativity, identity, and the evolving legacy of American furniture. Winterthur will also o er two tours in 2026 that tell the story of our nation through Colonial architecture and the museum’s premier collection of American decorative arts. The self-paced tour includes iconic objects such as a set of six silver tankards made by Paul Revere, BenjaminWest’s incomplete “American Commissioners of the Preliminary Peace Negotiations with Great Britain” painting (also known as “Treaty of Paris”), and John Trumbull’s 1790 “Washington at Verplanck’s Point” portrait. The guided tour explores the 13 original Colonies, including rare access to the Charleston Dining Room, where guests will learn about its origins and reinvention by free Black entrepreneur Jehu Jones. The At Home at Winterthur exhibition opening in May will explore Winterthur’s legacy as a house-turned-museum through personal stories, family archives, rarely seen objects, and a rich historical perspective. 58