Maggie Lidz, Estate Historian and Curator of Garden and Estate Objects writes:
On June 28, 1900, Louise du Pont, who was born at Winterthur in 1876, married Bostonian Frank B. Crowninshield. The New York Times wedding announcement described the groom as well-known in New York and very popular and the bride as having made her 1898 debut at Sherry’s, a very swell New York restaurant on 44th street.
After the church ceremony, the newlyweds took a horse-drawn carriage back to her childhood home. Louise’s parents hosted a large reception under on the lawn around the house.
On the day of her wedding, the weather was sunny and warm. Massive trees created a dappled shade for the guests. While their enormous trailing bouquets were still fresh, photographs were taken of the wedding party in their bridal attire. Frank wore a striped morning coat and Louise a trailing gown, lace veil and a triple pearl choker around her neck.
The four bridesmaids, three of whom were Louise’s cousins and one a good friend, wore large Gibson-Girl-style hats trimmed with white feathers and wasp-waisted gowns with a ruffled hem. The corsetry on the bridal party, especially Louise, looks literally breath-taking!
Inside the house, the wedding presents were on display and included an antique marquetry desk from her younger brother Harry (fifty-one years later he would found the Winterthur Museum on the same site).
Crowninshield Wedding
Louise and Frank surrounded by the bridesmaids left to right: Amy du Pont, Elaine du Pont Irving, Bertha Benkard and Pauline Robinson. An unexpected guest was the little terrier, owned by Louise’s brother Harry.
[...] The First Wedding at Winterthur was a reception for Louise du Pont, sister of H. F. du Pont, Winterthur Museum & Country Estate’s founder, and her new husband Frank B. Crowninshield. Love the hats! Louise du Pont & Frank B. Crowninshield's Wedding [...]