Recommended Collections of Period Furniture
Winterthur
Winterthur, the Delaware country estate of the late Henry Francis DuPont, houses what is arguably the most impressive collection of early American decorative arts to be found anywhere. The mansion contains period rooms furnished floor to ceiling with masterpieces of American furniture. Located near the mansion is the Winterthur Library which serves scholars of antique American decorative arts. Winterthur is a must see for any furniture enthusiast.
DeWitt Wallace Gallery at Colonial Williamsburg
Located on the grounds of Colonial Williamsburg, the modern DeWitt Wallace Museum features a large collection of 18th and early 19th century English and American furnishings. Many of the icons of American furniture can be found in the second floor gallery.
Wadsworth Atheneum
The Wadsworth Atheneum, located in Hartford, CT, houses a fine collection of colonial furniture. Among its other holdings, the museum highlights the work of Connecticut Valley craftsmen who created furniture in the Pilgrim, William & Mary, Queen Anne and Chippendale styles.
Metropolitan Museum of Art
The American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art boasts 25 period rooms representing a wide array of architectural styles. Its collection of early American furniture is unparalleled and is well worth the trip.
Museum of Fine Arts
The MFA in Boston has an impressive exhibit of furniture with the Karolik Collection as its keystone. Many examples of Boston and North Shore furniture, including John Seymour's masterpiece, the Derby Commode, are arranged in period rooms.
Chipstone Foundation
Dedicated to furthering scholarship in American decorative arts, the Fox Point, Wisconsin-based Chipstone Foundation has many important holdings of early American furniture. The foundation's annual periodical, American Furniture, is a beautifully-presented collection of the most recent research on the subject. Many of Chipstone's aquisitions are displayed in the American Gallery of the Milwaukee Art Museum. Click here for more information: Milwaukee Art Museum
U.S. Department of State
One of the best-kept secrets in Washington is the exceptional collection of antique American furniture donated to furnish the Diplomatic Reception Rooms of the Department of State. The stately Georgian interiors designed to house such a collection are equally impressive. Due to their use for official government business and the sensitive nature of their purpose, visitors are asked to schedule a tour of the Reception Rooms at least 90 days in advance. To request a tour, click here: Dept. of State Reception Tours
Yale University Art Gallery
The Yale University Art Gallery has a furniture collection with few rivals. Heavily weighted in colonial and early Federal examples, the nucleus of its collection was donated by Mabel Brady Garvan, an avid collector. In addition to the outstanding pieces exhibited in the gallery, there are over 1,000 works available for closer inspection in its Furniture Study. Visits to the Furniture Study must be scheduled in advance.
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Its rich history and contributions to American decorative arts are emphasized in the American collection of Philadelphia's Museum of Art. The Germanic influence evident in the "Dutch" handiwork of surrounding counties is also highlighted.
Historic Deerfield
Perhaps better known for their noteworthy architectural details, the colonial buildings of Historic Deerfield are also home to an impressive collection of early furnishings, both vernacular and high-style. Although situated near the center of Massachusetts, you'll want to include pictoresque Deerfield in your next trip to Boston or New England.
National Clock and Watch Museum
While the National Clock and Watch Museum features exhibits of timekeeping devices from around the world, it is especially strong in the area of 19th century American clocks. It also has a nice collection of tall case clocks representing the late 18th century. The museum is just one of the educational ventures operated by the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, Inc. of Columbia, PA.
Rhode Island School of Design Art Museum Located in Providence, RISD's Pendleton House is home to many fine examples of 18th and early 19th century furniture including works by the innovative and prolific Townsend and Goddard family of cabinet makers.
Historic New England
Formerly known as the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities, Historic New England maintains historic properties in five New England states and has over 100,000 artifacts representing the history of the region. Many of the organization's properties contain original or period-appropriate furnishings.