A couple days ago, I decided it was time to check out something a bit different- enrich my mind rather than another outing involving food & drink (as much as I LOVE doing that!).  Browsing the internet, I came across the Mercer Museum with its description as a “Castle Full of Treasures” & was immediately intrigued.  I have been to many museums in NYC & Philadelphia, but rarely do I visit those in my own backyard. I decided to give it a go. 

The Mercer Museum aims “to cultivate among its many 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.”  The magnificent cement castle is impressive in itself, but you barely notice the building once surrounded by what's inside.  I love the way the museum overflows with objects, covering the ceiling; walls; and every nook & cranny of the labyrinth of a building.  The museum lets you be the archeoligist studying the many sources gathered & you can take from them as little or as much as you can imagine.  What I found fascinating was getting a first-hand look at the complexity of every day life before the Industrial Revolution. There are rooms of objects dedicated to what we take for granted today- making apple cider, preserving meat, getting water.  Many of the crafts that are now considered art forms were necessities back then and it is a valuable lesson to see how hard people worked to enjoy such comforts. 

Make sure you climb all the way to the top because my favorite part would have to be the 5th floor Native American exhibit.  After getting a snap shot of colonial life in our area, the centuries of  Native American history is a stark contrast.  When we visited, there was also a special exhibit housing the history of art in Bucks County with some stunning landscape & portrait paintings. 

I have a feeling that the Mercer Museum is one of those places were each time you visit, you take something else away from it.  It's an enriching & fun way to spend an afternoon, AND its just a few blocks away from Main Street in Doylestown, where the eating and drinking activities can resume. Enjoy!

Mercer Museuminfo@mercermuseum.org

84 South Pine Street
Doylestown, PA 18901
215-345-0210

Mercer Museum Hours
Monday-Saturday 10 am – 5 pm
Sunday noon – 5 pm

Mercer Museum & Spruance Library Admission: 
Mercer Experience
(Mercer and Fonthill Museums) Adult $15.00, Youth $8.00
Adult $ 9.00
Senior (age 62 and over) $ 8.00
Youth (age 5-17) $ 4.00

Please note: The Mercer Museum is not heated or cooled; plan to dress appropriately for the seasons.

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