Discover 11 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Doylestown (United States). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: James A. Michener Art Museum, Fonthill, and Mercer Museum. Also, be sure to include Moravian Pottery and Tile Works in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Doylestown (Pennsylvania).
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James A. Michener Art Museum
Museum in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. The Michener Art Museum is a private, non-profit museum in Doylestown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, founded in 1988 and named for the Pulitzer Prize–winning writer James A. Michener, a Doylestown resident. It is situated within the old stone walls of a historic 19th-century prison and houses a collection of Bucks County visual arts, along with holdings of 19th- and 20th-century American art. It is noted for its Pennsylvania Impressionism collection, an art colony centered in nearby New Hope during the early 20th century, as well as its changing exhibitions, ranging from international touring shows to regionally focused exhibitions.[1]
Address: 138 S Pine St, 18901 Doylestown
Fonthill
Museum in Doylestown Township, Pennsylvania. Fonthill, also known as Fonthill Castle, was the home of the American archeologist and tile maker Henry Chapman Mercer, in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. Despite sometimes being referred to as Fonthill Castle, it is a large house and not a castle.[2]
Address: East Court Street & Hwy 313, 18901 Doylestown
Mercer Museum
Museum in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. The Mercer Museum is a museum located in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, United States. The Bucks County Historical Society operates the Mercer Museum, as well as the Research Library, and Fonthill Castle, former home of the museum's founder, archeologist Henry Chapman Mercer. The museum was individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972, and was later included in a National Historic Landmark District along with the Moravian Pottery and Tile Works and Fonthill. These three structures are the only poured-in-place concrete structures built by Mercer.[3]
Address: 84 S Pine St, 18901-4930 Doylestown
Moravian Pottery and Tile Works
Museum in Doylestown Township, Pennsylvania. The Moravian Pottery & Tile Works is a history museum located in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. It is maintained by the County of Bucks, Department of Parks and Recreation. The museum was individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972, and was later included in a National Historic Landmark District along with the Mercer Museum and Fonthill. These three structures are the only cast-in-place concrete structures built by Mercer.
Handmade tiles are still produced in a manner similar to that developed by the pottery's founder and builder, Henry Chapman Mercer. Tile designs are reissues of original designs. Mercer was a major proponent of the Arts and Crafts movement in America. He directed the work at the pottery from 1898 until his death in 1930.
Mercer generally did not affix a potter's mark to tiles made while he directed the work at MPTW. Following his death, there were several marks used to indicate that a tile had originated at MPTW. When the Bucks County Department of Parks and Recreation took over the MPTW as a working museum, all tiles made by the museum were impressed on the obverse with a stylized "MOR," the words "Bucks County" and the year of manufacture (see illustration).
The reproduction tiles made today are made using Mercer's original molds, clay that is obtained locally and has properties similar to those of Mercer's original source, slips and glazes that follow Mercer's final formulations, although some have been modified to reduce the lead and heavy metal content to less toxic levels.
The Tile Works is one of three cast-in-place concrete structures built by Mercer. The others include Fonthill, which is located on the same property and served as his home; and the Mercer Museum, located approximately one mile away.
The Moravian Pottery and Tile Works offers workshops and an apprenticeship program to teach the art of handcrafting ceramic tiles and mosaics.[4]
Address: 130 E Swamp Rd, 18901-2451 Doylestown
National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa
Shrine in New Britain Township, Pennsylvania. The National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa, known also as the American Czestochowa is a Polish-American Roman Catholic shrine near Doylestown, Pennsylvania, founded in 1953. It houses a reproduction of the Black Madonna icon of Częstochowa, Poland. The heart of Poland's third prime minister, Ignacy Jan Paderewski, is also preserved there.[5]
Address: 654 Ferry Rd, 18901 Doylestown
James-Lorah House
James-Lorah House, also known as the Judge Chapman House and VIA House, is a historic home located in Doylestown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. It was built about 1844, and is a 2 1/2-story, stuccoed townhouse dwelling with a medium gable roof. It has a 1 1/2-story rear wing with a high gable roof and end chimney. The house features eyebrow windows and marble entrance steps. It was built for Henry Chapman, who served in the U.S. House of Representatives. It was the birthplace of Henry Chapman Mercer on June 24, 1856.
It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.[6]
Address: 90 N Main St, 18901 Doylestown
Doylestown
Doylestown Historic District is a national historic district located in Doylestown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The district includes 1,055 contributing buildings in the central business district and surrounding residential areas of Doylestown. They include a variety of residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings and notable examples of Late Victorian and Federal style architecture. Notable buildings include the Intelligencer Building, Lenape Hall, Hart Bank, County Jail, Henry Lear House, Charles E. Meyers House, John Barclay House, Meredith Shaw Mansion, and Shive's Hardware Store. Located in the district and separately listed are the Fountain House, James-Lorah House, Mercer Museum, Pugh Dungan House, and Shaw Historic District.
It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.[7]
Aldie Mansion
Museum, Event space
Address: 85 Old Dublin Pike, 18901-2468 Doylestown
Pugh Dungan House
Pugh Dungan House is a historic home located in Doylestown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. It was built about 1830, and is a 2 1/2-story, five bay, stuccoed brick and fieldstone dwelling in the Federal style. It features a single bay, pedimented portico supported by Doric order columns. A two-story rear porch was added in the mid- to late-19th century.
It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.[8]
The Fountain House
Building in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. The Fountain House is located in the borough of Doylestown, Pennsylvania, in the central commercial district. The four-story building is steeped in local history and is a major landmark of the Bucks County area. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.[9]
Address: 57 West Court Street, Doylestown
Bucks County Republican Committee
Address: 115 N Broad St, Doylestown