Winterthur's mission is to preserve and enhance the legacy of its founder, Henry Francis du Pont, for the benefit and enjoyment of the public, including: the care, development, and study of its preeminent collection of decorative and fine arts made or used in America; the enhancement and interpretation of one of America's finest naturalistic gardens; the operation of graduate programs in American material culture and art conservation at the highest academic level; the operation and development of a library to support these important cultural goals; and the preservation of the historically important buildings and grounds.