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    Mercer Museum

    4.4 (66 reviews)
    Open 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

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    Take a guided tour of the Doan Gang: Outlaws of the Revolution immersive exhibit. The time will fly by and you'll learn more about what life was really like during the Revolutionary War than you could possibly imagine!

    Cement mixer that built this incredible building.
    Dubs T.

    Best $20 a person, educational and visually outstanding and the history of the place the man that built it and the people that maintain it and work it. Everyone was so nice. It was extremely clean very well taken care of. We'll be gone again.

    Mercer museum display
    Brittany W.

    The museum had enough spaces for parking, clean bathrooms, and a cute gift shop. They had an exhibit on the ground floor that was interactive and fun. The actual castle part of the museum has so many different things to look at it was a bit overwhelming but fun to see and interesting to be able to see so many different things from the past. There is NO AC which was dreadful. And they say NO food or drink in the museum which is also difficult because it was so hot and humid inside. There are stairs and elevators that can be used to move up and down.

    Eleni J.

    I don't know why this place isn't more well-known than it is now. It's amazing, one of the best museums I've ever been to and I've been to a lot of museums. It's not gigantic like many National museums/galleries, but Mercer is very unique. The exhibitions, the general layout and setting are one of a kind--it's much more than seeing artifacts but you got to walk in a real castle too. If you find Fonthill Castle amazing, then Mercer is even more mind-blowing. Plan ahead and spend a whole day in Doylestown for these two spots--I wish I had more time so I could have visited the tile manufacturer too; well I guess I will have to come back to Doylestown again.

    Alexis B.

    Did you know there are two castles in Doylestown, Pennsylvania? I didn't! But I visited both last weekend! One of them is the Mercer Museum. According to Wikipedia, Henry Mercer was a "gentleman anthropologist." I've also seen him described as an archeologist and a businessman (he owned Moravia Tile Works, also in Doylestown and also available to tour). Mercer collected pre-industrial tools (tools used by sixty different crafts and trades) and then built this six-story reinforced concrete castle to house his collection. It's a wild sight, especially because the collection is arranged in the most chaotic, wild, fun way (chairs on the ceiling, whaling boats hanging from an upper floor, etc). It's almost too much - there's so much to look and to read about. But that's what makes Mercer Museum such a unique place to visit - I've never been anywhere else like it. If you're in the area, I recommend taking in all that Henry Mercer left to Doylestown (Fontill Castle and the Tile Works in addition to Mercer Museum). This one interesting, strange man really left a lot to and for Doylestown, and I'm so glad I learned of these places and have experienced some of them (I'll be back in Doylestown to visit the Tile Works next)!

    Amy E.

    Wonderful piece of history right in our backyard. Something to see everywhere you look. The tiles were my absolute favorite and the gallows were... interesting & creepy & sad. The stoves and furnaces were so intriguing as well. Lots of fantastic designs. Love that we FINALLY came here after so long. A must visit if you are in the area!

    Doan exhibit
    Christina F.

    Wow, seven floors of antique artifacts in a castle! Went during the Doan Gang Exhibition (our local revolutionary outlaws) and saw that first. We were happy with the exhibit. Great information and interactive elements throughout the exhibit. We then went on through the self guided tour of the castle. Mesmerizing. To think that Henry Mercer had this vision to create such rooms of collections. Allow yourself plenty of time to enjoy. Helpful docents will gladly answer questions and give you interesting facts. Good parking, bathrooms, children's room, history library. Right across the street from the Michener Museum, and Bucks County free library.

    Leena S.

    Mercer Museum is built in the same reinforced concrete style as Fonthill Castle by Henry Mercer. The museum spans 6 stories and has an overwhelming impressive collection. The building itself with its 6 floors and winding staircase is amazing enough. I'm not sure what I enjoyed more the Fonthill Castle Tour or the Mercer Museum. The museum is very impressive with over 50,000 items as well as special exhibits. Although we only spent a little over an hour here, you could literally spend hours upon hours if you went through and read the history on each displayed item. I highly recommend the Mercer Museum! While you are there, grab a bite to eat in downtown Doylestown.

    Kelly N.

    Went to this area for a day trip and we were looking for things to do, we decided to go to the mercer museum. We actually had no idea what the museum was going to be about neither one of us have ever heard of Henry Mercer. The parking lot is very big, and we had no trouble finding a spot. The admission is $15 per person, which I think is a fair price. We actually really enjoyed ourselves my boyfriend more so than I, but it was probably a place I wouldn't have gone without him suggesting it. We learned a lot and saw many awesome things on each level! I am really glad I did it and recommend this museum to anyone, even people with kids they had an interactive thing for kids that they went around and punched a card at certain stations.

    The best view in the house is from the floor!
    Maryellen K.

    Wow. Just wow. Who knew a treasure trove of U.S. history was hiding in plain sight in Doylestown? Loved how the massive collection is fancifully displayed hanging from the rafters and tucked into little alcoves and rooms. Exploring history through the tools people used makes this concrete castle seem less like a stuffy museum and more like an engaging launchpad for discovery and discussion. The elevator makes most of the collection accessible to wheelchair users. A huge shout out to docent Gloria who recommend we lie down on the floor to fully appreciate the artifacts suspended from the rafters and walls.

    Nicole K.

    Great display of history! It was fun learning about the background of all the artifacts there. There's a library you can also go in and sit in. It kind of reminded me of scenes from Harry Potter. Definitely a cool experience in Doylestown!

    Osula L.

    I came here by car on a Friday morning in late June 2022. They had a free parking lot and, at the time, had ample parking. I reserved my ticket online and it $10 for students and $15 for adults. From start to finish, the museum took about 40 minutes to complete. The interior looks pretty cool when you walk in and is pretty interesting if you find old farming tools and antiques interesting. I think the content is interesting to look at but is probably only worth $10 instead of $15 for an adult. I wouldn't recommend going out of your way for this place. If you're looking for someone to so in town, you should do a guided tour at the Fonthill Castle instead. The people at the museum is very nice though. I purchased my entry time slot for the wrong date but they still let me in at no additional cost.

    Gorgeous
    Miche

    I visit this place once a year and it's quite thrilling to see!! Real seasoned artisans creating an art that has been around since the beginning of time! Making these beautiful tiles in the middle of BUCKS COUNTY PA! By all means book your ticket online first... In advance. Don't miss out ! The tours are very cool and educational. Tour guides take you around , they know a lot and you can see how tiles are used decorate and how they tell a treasured story. See them around FONTHILL castle just meters away !! Also check out their gift shop it has different things than at FontHill fyi !!!

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    5 months ago

    Another treasure in Doylestown that is often overlooked. Amazing look at our local history!

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    This museum was awesome, so much history and stuff to look at. it'll definitely take you a few hours and well worth it

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    Review Highlights - Mercer Museum

    We actually had no idea what the museum was going to be about neither one of us have ever heard of Henry Mercer.

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    Fonthill Castle - Fonthill Castle

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    4.6(89 reviews)
    1.0 mi

    Amazing property, it is a hidden gem. Went with my family for the tour and everyone enjoyed it!read more

    Wow. What a unique, random gem and historic property. What is Fonthill and why is there a castle in…read moreDoylestown, Pennsylvania? Fonthill Castle was the home of archeologist and tile maker Henry Chapman Mercer. (Also in Doylestown are two more Mercer buildings you can tour - the Mercer Museum and the Moravian Pottery and Tile Works building, the business Mercer ran and where most of the tiles in the castle were produced.) Henry Mercer seems like he was an interesting guy, and you can see that in his home - 44 rooms, 18 fireplaces, 200 windows, who knows how many staircases...! And designed and decorated in a way I've never seen anywhere else. The castle is an early example of poured-in-place concrete building and is a mix of Medieval, Gothic, and Byzantine architectural styles. And there are, of course, Moravia tiles (and some historic and international tiles that he collected during his life) throughout the house - almost more than you could imagine. We visited last Saturday to experience their "Fonthill Castle Holiday Lights Meander Experience," which allows you to visit the castle through a self-guided experience (there were staff in various rooms who were happy to answer questions) and enjoy a series of Christmas trees on display throughout the home. I definitely enjoyed the experience but am definitely planning a return visit to see the castle in better light (not at night in the dark - which was perfect for the Christmas tree experience) - they offer 60-minute guided tours though the house for most of the year! The castle is pretty wild, and I look forward to visiting it again and experiencing it in a new way. If you are interested in architecture, art, crafts, the Arts and Crafts design movement, or just quirky, unusual places, definitely add Fonthill to your list and check it out!

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    Michener Art Museum - Community Quilt

    Michener Art Museum

    4.5(37 reviews)
    0.1 mi

    I visited the Michener Art Museum a few weeks ago on a Saturday when my husband and I were in…read moreDoylestown. It was my first visit, and I really loved it. The Michener isn't huge, but it's a lovely museum. It's located inside a historic 19th century prison building, which sounds like it wouldn't be beautiful - but it is beautiful: stone walls, an arched entry, a courtyard. It's named for the novelist and Doylestown resident James A. Michener, who established the endowment for the museum and donated significant funds and some paintings from his private collection to the museum, which opened in 1988. As a regional art museum, it collects both historic and contemporary American works, with a focus on the art of the Delaware Valley. Its permanent collection includes nearly 4,000 artworks, including works by famous Pennsylvanian artists. I happen to love Wharton Esherick and George Nakashima and was thrilled to see their work in the museum! I wish we'd had more time so that I can could read for a bit in the Nakashima Reading Room - don't miss it. The museum also has a small outdoor sculpture garden, a small gift shop, and a little cafe if you need a coffee. And on top of all that, their staff are friendly and helpful AND they have great exhibits! We visited for an exhibit currently at the museum - "Anila Quayyum Agha: interwoven" (I had seen her work at a gallery in Houston about a decade ago and was thrilled to find another opportunity to see her work) - but really enjoyed their permanent collection as well. A small but charming and regional art museum with an impressive and unique permanent collection and great exhibits. Definitely check it out if you're in the area!

    Yes. THAT James Michener, Pulitzer prize-winning author who spun tales of far-away places. He was…read moreborn in Doylestown. Built on the site of the inhumane Bucks County Jail, not only is the art museum diverse, the grounds are fascinating. Before entering, you'll see sculptures and an imposing stone wall -- the site of the last man hanged in Bucks County. Exhibits are on one beautifully-designed level. Most of the artists and/or subjects celebrate the creativity of the region: paintings, sculptures, works that could be called "installations." With the exception of the Mona Lisa (and a few other pieces) I'm not a fan of Renaissance or religious art. Works here span the 1800s to present -- a lot of contemporary -- which may be why I soaked in everything I saw. Doylestown isn't as well known as New Hope ... but, what a charming town with beautiful old homes and good shopping. After going through the museum -- it takes an hour or so -- you may want to walk to Main Street and enjoy a coffee or spot of lunch. We lucked out and inadvertently timed our visit on the same day as Doyletown's popular art show. A stellar afternoon!

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