By Ruth A. Hill

A lot has happened since fans of PBS' British hit "Downton Abbey" thrilled to Matthew's marriage proposal to Mary. But many are happily reliving that event and other scenes in an exhibit of 40 costumes and props from the series. The action, however, has moved to a Delaware estate.

Henry Francis du Pont's stunning Winterthur is the place to see all the fashion and fantasy now through Jan. 5, 2015 — along with the estate's unmatched permanent collection of more than 90,000 American and European antique and decorative objects. The irresistible combination of the "Costumes of Downtown Abbey" exhibit and the Winterthur mansion and gardens is drawing more than fashionistas and fans of the TV series, however. History buffs are in the galleries, too, because the costumes reside in exhibits about early-20th-century country life on both sides of the Atlantic.

Remember when Sybil shocked her family in the first season with her blue harem pants? They're there to admire, along with the lacy sleeves and beaded bodices worn by Violet, the dowager countess who has more memorable one-liners than any character who surrounds her. Below-stairs costumes are included, too, such as those for Mrs. Patmore, the cook, and Thomas, the scheming footman.

Headless mannequins wear the threads that often look different from how TV viewers see them. Exhibit placards tell us that's because costume designers add fabric textures to give the illusion of light and movement, much as makeup artists slather paint on actors to create specific "looks." Screens behind the clothes run clips of the series showing the scenes in which the costumes appeared.

Outside Winterthur estate and gardens there are even more DuPont legacy attractions in the Brandywine Valley. This is the leafy Delaware region near both Wilmington and Philadelphia that's filled with elegant other-era estates, American industrial history, gardens, and art left by the DuPont Family and others. Two days' touring is the minimum amount of time needed to even touch the sites.

The DuPont business story in America begins at the Hagley Museum and Library on the Brandywine River, where 200 acres of trees, shrubs, flowers and industrial relics depict one piece of the nation's early industrial history. On this land was the French family's original manufacturing site for black powder that fueled the American Civil War, among other endeavors. Exhibits trace industrial development from Colonial water-powered flour mills to the giant steam-powered industries of the late 19th century.

Central to the Hagley site is the Georgian-style residence that E.I. du Pont built in 1803. The furnished rooms reflect the decorative tastes of five generations, and the barn is filled with carriages and wagons. The cooper's workshop, office building, and French-style gardens bear even more testimony to life and commerce along the Brandywine River in the early 19th century: www.hagley.org.

The DuPont family's uncommon devotion to horticulture is on full display at Longwood Gardens, where founder Pierre du Pont in 1906 purchased a dying arboretum with roots in Colonial times and saved its trees. But he went a lot further and established what some horticulturists consider the world's premier plant display on 1,500 acres. Over a century later, Longwood's array of gardens, conservatories and fountain displays dazzle its million visitors a year: www.longwoodgardens.org.

Nemours Mansion and Gardens features the 102-room mansion Alfred I. du Pont and his wife built in 1910. The 222-acre estate and home feature elaborate furnishings, decorative arts and formal gardens that match the French chateau Louis XVI architectural style. Alfred named his estate for the DuPont ancestral town in France. In 1902 he was the family member who saved the DuPont Co. from demise, a move that marked the birth of the modern company and lifted him to corporate leadership. His legacy also includes Nemours Foundation, which owns the estate and operates the Alfred I. duPont Hospital for children nearby: www.nemours.org.

Famed for its collection of Wyeth family art from three generations, the Brandywine Conservancy and Museum of Art offers works by N.C., Andrew, Jamie, Betsy, Caroline and husband Peter Hurd. Other artists of the Brandywine School represented in the museum include Howard Pyle, Frank Schoonover and Maxfield Parrish. The collection has grown from 21 pieces in 1971 to more than 3,000 works. Tours of nearby historic properties are also worth a look, such as N.C. Wyeth's House and Studio and the Kuerner Farm, made famous through nearly 1,000 of Andrew Wyeth's works. Andrew's studio has been restored following its grant by the artist's wife, Betsy, to the conservancy. This is where he painted thousands of works from 1940 until 2008 with inspiration he received from the scenic Brandywine valley, river and farms: www.brandywinemuseum.org.

WHEN YOU GO

Winterthur and the Brandywine Valley attractions are about 30 minutes' drive from both near downtown Wilmington and Center City Philadelphia. Information on Winterthur combination admissions, which include an introductory house tour, the garden and the "Costumes of Downton Abbey" exhibit are at www.winterthur.org/downtownabbey.

For information on touring all attractions in the valley and Wilmington, lodging options and other destination information, go to www.visitwilmingtonde.com.

Costumes from the TV series "Downton Abbey" are currently on display at Winterthur Museum in Wilmington, Delaware. Photo courtesy of Winterthur Museum.

Costumes for characters who work downstairs on TV's "Downton Abbey" are on display along with those of the upstairs family at Winterthur Museum in Wilmington, Delaware. Photo courtesy of Winterthur Museum.

Ruth A. Hill is a freelance writer. To read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.