Friends of the Physick Estate Host Trip to ‘Downton Abbey’ Costumes Exhibit

CAPE MAY — Join the Friends of the Physick Estate on a bus trip May 14 to the nationally renowned Winterthur Museum in Wilmington, Del., to see original costumes from one of the most popular public television series in history, “Downton Abbey.”
“Downton Abbey” is the international hit Masterpiece Theater series from writer and creator Julian Fellowes, which just concluded its fourth season on PBS. Set on one of England’s great estates, it features the lives of the fictional Crawley family and their servants. The story follows them through tumultuous years beginning with the sinking of the Titanic in 1912, through the devastation of World War I and into the jazz age of the 1920s. The series is enjoyed by audiences worldwide for its sweeping range of characters, whose lives are affected by political and social changes during a fascinating time in history; but no less do viewers love the beautiful costumes. Fellowes uses them to help tell the story, as well as reflect the opulence of the British aristocracy.
Winterthur Museum is located in Wilmington, Del. Founded by Henry Francis du Pont, Winterthur is the premier museum of American decorative arts, reflecting both early America and the du Pont family’s life in Wilmington. Its 60-acre naturalistic garden is among the country’s best, and its research library serves scholars from around the world.
The trip includes a 25-minute narrated tram car tour through 60 acres of the Winterthur gardens, weather permitting; a one-hour guided introductory tour of the main museum rooms; and a guided tour of the Winterthur gallery containing the “Downton Abbey” costumes exhibit.
The trip is on May 14. The bus departs from the Bayshore Mall, 3845 Bayshore Road, North Cape May (on the side close to the Big Lots store) at 8:30 a.m. and returns at 4:30 p.m. Lunch is on your own at the Winterthur Museum cafeteria.
Cost is $50 for Friends members and $55 for non-Friends members. Become a Friend of the Physick Estate and save on this and future programs. For information or to purchase tickets, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278.
This trip is sponsored by the Friends of the Physick Estate in association with the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC).
The Friends of the Physick Estate is an affinity group of MAC, especially devoted to enhancing the collections of the 1879 Emlen Physick Estate, Cape May’s only Victorian House Museum. The Physick Estate has been lovingly preserved to its original splendor. The 18-room Physick House was built in the Stick Style of architecture, and has the trademark design features of renowned Philadelphia architect Frank Furness. The Estate provides an in-depth glimpse of the Victorian period and offers year-round tours and unique living history programs.
MAC is a multifaceted not-for-profit organization committed to promoting the preservation, interpretation, and cultural enrichment of the Cape May region for its residents and visitors. MAC membership is open to all. For information about MAC’s year-round schedule of tours, festivals, and special events call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278, or visit MAC’s Web site at www.capemaymac.org.