Judith Coolidge Carpenter Herdeg

Judith Coolidge Carpenter Herdeg, aged 85, passed away peacefully in her home on Tuesday, March 26th, 2024. The only child of Donald Fell and Louise Coolidge Carpenter, Judy spent her early childhood in Southport, CT, before ultimately moving to Pennsylvania. She graduated from Tower Hill School and Bennett College (NY), and studied at the Art League of New York. In 1961, Judy married the love of her life, John Andrew Herdeg, and they settled on her parent’s land in Mendenhall, PA, .

Judy committed her life, in partnership with John, to 18^th century decorative arts and American history. Their lifelong passion started in 1963 with the reconstruction and restoration of the William Peters’ House, a 1750’s Georgian brick structure which, through their efforts, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This house, their family home for the next 60 years, was the impetus for a lifetime of research, scholarship, collecting and landscape design, with an emphasis on native flora and plants introduced before 1775. In partnership with John, they published a book on their collection, The Stories They Tell…from the Herdeg Collection through The New England Historic Genealogical Society.

Also a philanthropic leader in her community, Judy was an active member of many organizations committed to the preservation and celebration of American history and culture.  In 2022, The Winterthur Museum & Garden recognized Judy and John with the Museum’s highest honor, the Henry Francis du Pont Award, for over 40 years of leadership and service. Similarly, The Garden Club of Wilmington awarded Judy the Ethel Hallock du Pont Award for Horticultural Achievement. Some highlights of Judy’s lifelong career include her involvement in the restoration of Wilmington’s Grand Opera House and her years as Chairman of The Delaware Antiques Show.  Later, in her role as Head Regent of Gunston Hall in Virginia, she oversaw a re-focusing of their collection to highlight George Mason’s life and his contributions to American Democracy., She also led the planning, construction, and fundraising efforts for the George Mason Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Judy’s other societies and clubs include the New England Historic Genealogical Society, the National Society of Colonial Dames of America in Delaware,  The Garden Club of Wilmington, The Brandywine Chapter of the Embroidery Group of America and nationally, The General Society of Mayflower Descendants, and The Alden Kindred of America.  She enjoyed and valued the camaraderie of many lifelong friends through the West Chop Club of Martha’s Vineyard, the Vicmead Hunt Club.

Judy’s greatest accomplishments grew from projects that combined her passion for research with her dedication to craft. She immersed herself in classes at the Royal School of Needlework, a summer camp for embroiderers in New Hampshire, and attended weekend classes up and down the East Coast. She created a variety of stunning artwork and needlework that culminated in her masterpiece, a painstakingly detailed historical “casket” celebrating her family, her home, and her craft. Due to her skill and dedication, Judy was selected to work as an embroiderer of the Plimoth Jacket, an historically accurate reproduction of a 1620s embroidered English waistcoat, now on display at the Plimoth Plantation Museum.

By her friends and loved ones, Judy will be remembered for her Yankee spirit of resilience, resolve, and grace. She grew up enjoying horseback riding, tennis, gardening, camping, and the spirit of the American West. Her family lovingly recalls the hours and days she spent cooking family holiday meals of wild game, her signature chestnut soup, and historically accurate figgy pudding. Judy loved sitting in her orangery, surrounded by native fruit trees, treasured antiques, and hundreds of pap boats, documenting family genealogy and returning lost people and objects to the historical records.

Judy is survived by her three children and their spouses: Judith (Leli) Leland Herdeg Wilson and her husband Bill, Andrew Carpenter Herdeg and his wife Maggie, and Fell Coolidge Herdeg and his wife Cara, and seven grandchildren: Molly and Abigail Wilson, George and Ceci Herdeg, and Emma, Benjamin, and Sam Herdeg. The Herdeg and Wilson families are extremely grateful for the dedication and loving care provided by Judy’s caregivers and Bob Blackburn.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to the H. F. du Pont Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library (c/o Philanthropic Office, Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library, 5105 Kennett Pike, Winterthur, DE 19735); Gunston Hall, Historic Home of George Mason, (Gunston Hall, 10709 Gunston Rd, Mason Neck, VA 22079); Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (“Textiles—in memory of Judith C. Herdeg” / Development Department – MFA Boston 465 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02115)