Show Stopper with Historic Charm

The Village Improvement Association of Doylestown is pleased to announce the selection of Mearns Mill Manor as the site of the 2021 Bucks County Designer House & Gardens. Located at 545 Almshouse Road in Ivyland, this wonderful 1870s mansion is owned by the Heritage Conservancy.

Period charm and architectural detail abound in the house, which contains seven bedrooms and three bathrooms and features original hardware. Most rooms have fireplaces.

This historic property provides a fabulous venue for designers and landscapers to work their transformative magic, returning the house to its former grace and splendor. With extensive grounds and over 5,200 square feet of interior space, the home is a perfect setting for them to display their talents.

About Bucks County Designer House & Gardens Tours This year marks the 46th annual Bucks County Designer House & Gardens event. Mearns Mill Manor will be open for tours daily from May 2nd to May 30th. To safeguard visitors, admission to the house will be by timed tickets purchased in advance. Social distancing and COVID -19 screening protocols will be in place.

The home's third floor will house a selection of unique boutiques.

This month-long event is the largest fundraiser held by the Village Improvement Association of Doylestown (VIA), a non-profit women's organization. Since its founding in 1895, the VIA has dedicated its efforts to improving the health and welfare of the Central Bucks community. It founded Doylestown Hospital in 1923 and continues to govern this nationally recognized award-winning healthcare system. Other VIA programs support veterans and those in need, provide academic scholarships, and support the historic James-Lorah Memorial home in Doylestown, a house and museum listed on the National Register of Historic Places. More recently, in 2019 the VIA began to focus on the local impact of the opioid epidemic, addressing mental health issues and babies born with neonatal abstinence syndrome.

In 2021, proceeds from Mearns Mill Manor will benefit the Women's Diagnostic Center at Doylestown Health.

To learn more about the VIA, or for information about membership in the organization, please go to www.via-doylestown.org.

Covid Precautions

As you’ve read in our About Us page, the Village Improvement Association founded and still governs Doylestown Hospital and the Doylestown Health System. We have always worked closely with the Hospital staff to ensure our visitors’ and volunteers’ safety, now more than ever. All of our procedures have been reviewed by the Hospital’s safety and infection control staff.

Tickets: Tickets can be purchased online through the link on the Bucks County Designer house & Gardens’ website. All tickets will be $30, which is our standard advance sales and senior price.

Unfortunately, because of the need for online purchases and timed tickets, we will not be able to offer additional group discounts or our usual Memorial Day Salute to the Troops benefit.

Arrival: We will be using a NO CONTACT CHECK-IN at our welcome Desk. Our volunteers will scan your printed ticket or eTicket.

Your Tour: For your safety, we will limit large groups to four people at a time. All tours will follow a time-scheduled sequence. You will have plenty of time to see each room while still maintaining social distancing. We will also have hand sanitizer throughout the site.