by Zamir Garcia, AIA, LEED AP
An artisan in the Arts & Crafts movement and avid collector, Henry Mercer built a studio, home, and Museum in Bucks County that are unique to his personality and showcases his collection and creations. While his studios educate and enlighten visitors, recent renovations to his Museum will give visitors reason to make a return trip to view objects in the Museum’s collection that have never been seen by the public, and to experience traveling exhibitions.
Mercer (1856-1930) was a historian and archaeologist who recognized the importance of collecting and preserving everyday objects before they were made obsolete by the Industrial Revolution. Often described as an “eccentric,” Mercer designed and built three poured-in-place reinforced concrete buildings in his hometown of Doylestown, PA. His home, Fonthill, was built in a blend of the Medieval, Gothic and Byzantine styles in 1908-1912 and used as a showplace for his collection of tiles and prints produced during the Arts & Crafts movement. The second building, the Moravian Pottery and Tile Works, sits on the same property and still produces tiles in the same style as under Mercer’s direction. The 6-story concrete castle, the Mercer Museum, was completed in 1916 and sits just one mile away from his home. A central atrium displays the largest objects in his collection, including a whale boat and stage coach, while concentric floors house smaller items in niches and alcoves.
Additions were recently completed to the Mercer Museum to further it’s the mission to “cultivate among its audiences a broad appreciation and awareness of the past, helping people find stories and meanings that both sustain them in the present and aid them in approaching the future.” Mercer’s buildings stand as a testament to the beauty of simplistic, utilitarian design, but the new addition incorporates contemporary, sustainable elements, but keeps with the style of Mercer’s architectural taste. The exterior is poured-in-place reinforced concrete. While typically seen as a heavy, massive material, it is given a lighter, contemporary feel in the new wing through the use of extensive daylighting and views throughout. An expanded outreach and exhibition area was added adjacent to the new entry way and a new grand changing exhibition space allows the Museum to showcase objects in their collection that have not been seen in years, or in some cases, ever.
The Mercer Museum is important for American culture by showcasing historical items that are no longer a part of everyday life but stand to educate future generations. The Museum now has the ability to feature changing exhibits to share items in their vast collection, and also host traveling exhibits in the new state of the art gallery. These new spaces expand the Museum’s capabilities and usher it into a new era to ensure the 65,000 annual visitors will see something new and exciting with every trip.
The first exhibition, “A World of Things: The Mercer Museum A-Z” is on view through November 27. Be sure to check out the special exhibit calendar for future shows. For more information on the Museum, click here.
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