How Much Does A Mercer Museum Cost?

ByScarlett Evans

The Mercer Museum, located in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, is a museum dedicated to showcasing American artifacts from pre-industrial times. Founded by Henry Mercer, the museum opened in 1916 and contains over 40,000 tools, textiles, ceramics, furniture and other objects dating from colonial times to the early 20th century. The exhibits are arranged thematically, providing visitors with a glimpse into early American life through Mercer’s unique vision and collection. With its impressive six-story concrete castle design and massive collection, the Mercer Museum stands as a one-of-a-kind window into the past. It continues to educate and inspire visitors over a century after first opening its doors.

History of the Mercer Museum

The Mercer Museum was founded by Henry Mercer, who was an American anthropologist, archaeologist, ceramicist and tile-maker. Born in 1856, Mercer had a lifelong passion for studying early American life and crafts. After attending Harvard University, Mercer went on to establish the Moravian Pottery and Tile Works in 1898.

Mercer was fascinated by early American tools and handicrafts that were quickly disappearing with industrialization in the late 19th century. He began collecting tens of thousands of pre-industrial American artifacts, with the idea of creating a museum to preserve this history and craftsmanship. In 1908, Mercer began constructing a concrete building to house his collection in Doylestown, Pennsylvania.

The Mercer Museum opened its doors in 1916, with the purpose of showing the evolution of early American craft and industry. The museum’s unique design and architecture was also overseen by Henry Mercer himself. Today, the Mercer Museum contains over 40,000 artifacts relating to pre-industrial American history.

Exhibits at the Mercer Museum

The Mercer Museum displays over 40,000 tools and artifacts from pre-Industrial America that founder Henry Mercer collected during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The museum’s permanent exhibits showcase Mercer’s expansive collection across three floors of gallery space.

Visitors can explore exhibits on topics ranging from Early American crafts to 19th century household objects and machinery. Some highlights include rare antique furniture, carriages, cast-iron stoves, clocks, ceramics, textiles, and everyday household tools used in early American life.

Special rotating exhibits are also displayed throughout the year. Upcoming temporary exhibits for 2023 include “Quilt National ’23” showcasing contemporary quilt art and “Made in Bucks County” celebrating local history and culture. More details on current and upcoming exhibits can be found on the museum’s website.

With its vast and diverse collections spanning over 300 years of pre-industrial history, the Mercer Museum provides a one-of-a-kind look into early American life and material culture.

Museum Ticketing

The Mercer Museum offers several ticket options to visit its unique collection of early American tools and artifacts. Standard museum admission is $15 for adults, $13 for seniors, and $7 for youth ages 6-17. Children under 6 are free. Family packages are available starting at $30 for 2 adults and up to 4 youth.

museum admission ticket prices range from $7 for youth to $15 for adults

Members of the Mercer Museum & Fonthill Castle receive free admission. Membership levels range from $60 for an individual to $125 for a household. Members also enjoy reciprocal admission benefits to over 300 other museums around the country.

Group rates for 10 or more guests are $12 per adult and $5 per youth. School groups, scout troops, and other educational groups can visit for just $5 per student. Reservations are required for all group visits.

Special exhibition tickets may have an additional fee. Check the museum’s website for current special exhibits and pricing.

Membership Options

The Mercer Museum offers several membership options that provide a range of benefits and access. Membership helps support the museum’s preservation and education initiatives.

An Individual Membership costs $60 per year and includes unlimited free museum admission for one adult, discounts on most programs and events, a subscription to the museum’s magazine, and reciprocal benefits at over 1,000 other museums across North America.

The Dual Membership costs $75 per year and provides the same benefits as the Individual Membership but for two adults living at the same address. This is a popular option for couples who frequently visit the museum.

For families, the Household Membership costs $90 per year. It provides unlimited free admission for two adults and up to four children or grandchildren under 18 living at the same address. This allows the whole family to regularly visit and enjoy the museum.

The Contributing Membership starts at $125 per year and includes all Household Membership benefits plus reciprocal admission to over 300 participating Time Traveler museums nationwide. Higher contribution levels provide additional benefits.

Seniors aged 65+ can join as Senior Members for $50 per year. This individual membership level provides senior admission benefits.

Members also get discounts on summer camps, classes, birthday parties, facility rentals, and purchases in the museum store. Overall, a museum membership provides great value for regular visitors.

Special Events

The Mercer Museum hosts many special events throughout the year that allow visitors to experience the museum in new and exciting ways. Some examples of popular recurring events include:

Spring Fest – This annual springtime event held in May features live music, crafts, food, and activities for all ages. General admission prices apply.

Candlelight Tours – Offered select evenings in December, these tours allow visitors to explore the museum’s galleries by candlelight. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for youth ages 4-17.

Haunted History Tours – Half-hour haunted history tours are offered in October and tell spooky tales from the museum’s past. Tickets are $14 for adults and $10 for youth ages 4-17.

The museum also hosts monthly Hands-On History days that feature special crafts and activities. These are included with regular admission. Special events allow visitors to engage with the museum in memorable new ways.

Accessibility

The Mercer Museum strives to make the museum experience accessible to visitors of all abilities. The original Mercer Museum building is partially accessible by elevator, with approximately 65% of the building accessible for those with mobility limitations (Mercer Museum – Hours & Admission, Directions & Parking). The new wing, including the changing Exhibition Gallery, is fully accessible. There are elevators providing access to all floors and accessible restrooms available. For specific questions regarding accessibility, visitors can contact the museum ahead of their visit.

Fonthill Castle, also part of the Mercer Museum experience, has limited accessibility due to its historic nature. The site has steep stairs and narrow, uneven passages throughout. Fonthill Castle may not be suitable for those with mobility issues or who cannot climb stairs. There is a virtual tour option available to view Fonthill Castle remotely. More details on Fonthill Castle’s accessibility can be found on their website (Fonthill Castle – Hours & Admissions, Directions & Parking).

Visitor Policies

The Mercer Museum has several key policies that visitors should be aware of before their visit:

All visitors must have a ticket to enter the museum. Tickets can be purchased online in advance or at the box office on the day of your visit. Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult. Teenagers ages 13-17 may visit without an adult but cannot supervise younger children (source).

Service animals are permitted at the Mercer Museum in accordance with ADA regulations. All other pets are prohibited (source).

Photography is permitted for personal use only. Tripods, lighting, and other professional equipment are not allowed without prior permission from museum staff.

Food, beverages, and chewing gum are not permitted inside the galleries. A café is available for visitors to enjoy food and drinks.

Smoking, including e-cigarettes, is prohibited inside the museum. Designated outdoor smoking areas are provided (source).

Wheelchairs, scooters, and strollers are available to rent for mobility assistance. Visitors may also use their own wheelchairs and strollers.

Nearby Attractions

The Mercer Museum is located in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, which has many other interesting attractions and activities for visitors. Here are some other popular nearby places to visit:

The Michener Art Museum showcases American art, including paintings, prints, photographs, and folk art. It is located just 2 miles away from the Mercer Museum.

The County Theater is a restored Art Deco movie theater in downtown Doylestown that shows classic and independent films. It is about a 10 minute walk from the Mercer Museum.

Right across the street is Fonthill Castle, the former home of Henry Mercer which features 44 rooms built in various architectural styles.

The Pearl S. Buck House in nearby Perkasie offers tours of the Pulitzer Prize-winning author’s historic home and farm.

Outdoor enthusiasts can visit parks like Nockamixon State Park for hiking, biking, fishing, boating and more.

Contact Information

The Mercer Museum is located at 84 South Pine Street in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00am to 5:00pm. The museum is closed on Mondays and some major holidays.

To contact the Mercer Museum:

Visitors looking for more information or to confirm hours of operation can call the main museum phone number or check the museum website.

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