This past New Year's Eve, I spent a memorable day with my family
visiting The Mercer Museum in Doylestown, Pennsylvania.
It was a trip back in time, amid the dust and the rust,
which left us with an appreciation for the past and how far we've come.
Completed in 1916, this 6-story "castle" is constructed entirely of concrete.
It was designed by Henry Mercer to store his extensive collection
of tools and trappings from American life in the 18th & 19th centuries.
Who was Henry Mercer?
Called a true Renaissance man, he was
an Artist,
an Architect,
an Antiquarian,
an Archaeologist
and an Anthropologist.
How's that for an "A" list of titles?
The museum's exhibits represent over 60 occupations, trades and crafts of the time.
A Conestoga wagon, a stage coach, and an antique fire engine.
Blacksmithing and tinsmithing.
A printing press and a cider press.
Even a hangman's gallows!
Sharing my photos with you today - enjoy!
Making the most of the grand space, items like these
horse-drawn carriages are suspended in the Central Court.
A whaling boat with harpoons. A yellow sleigh to the left.
Even the high ceiling serves as a display area
for chairs, trunks, cradles and such.
Redware Pottery.
Hat Making.
The Horn & Tortoise Working display features
these decorative tortoise shell combs.
The penny-farthing. Read my post about them
HERE.
We found the building's architecture, with its
dramatic windows, winding staircases, and tucked-away alcoves,
just as intriguing as the artifacts housed within!
Wallpaper Tools.
On this hotel sign, notice the number 10282.
Each item in the museum had been assigned a
hand-painted number for cataloging purposes.
About 40,000 items are exhibited in 55 rooms.
Items from a schoolroom.
Healing arts.
Baking Utensils.
Gunsmithing & Weapons.
Henry Mercer with Rollo, his favorite dog.
The Mercer Museum is located at
84 South Pine Street
Doylestown, PA 18901,
Bucks County.
To learn more, visit their
website.
