Following a multi-year review, the Westmoreland Davis Memorial Foundation (WDMF) Board of Trustees has concluded that the Winmill Carriage Museum collection will be deaccessioned, as it does not align with the historical significance of the Morven Park property, Morven Park’s past occupants, nor the history of Loudoun County.
In adherence with national and international best practices for museums, WDMF periodically reviews Morven Park’s Museum collections to determine which objects support WDMF’s mission and which objects are unrelated or detract from the mission and strategic goals. This practice ensures all funding directed to collections care and exhibition continues to support the mission of WDMF.
Warrenton resident Viola T. Winmill donated her carriage collection in 1968 with a desire to make it accessible to the public, her wishes will continue to be honored. WDMF is donating the collection to several carriage museums including Studebaker National Museum in New York, Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles in Pennsylvania, Barnum Museum in Connecticut and the majority of the collection to the Buggy Barn Museum in Texas. Morven Park is thrilled that Mrs. Winmill’s collection will continue to be preserved and shared with the public through these prominent institutions.
