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PENNY LOTS SPECIAL FONTHILL ANNIVERSARY EDITION 2012 Newsletter of the Bucks County Historical Society Vol. 26 Number 2 Fonthill Centennial Issue Byers’ Choice Caroler® his issue of Penny Lots house. Informing our research of Henry Mercer commemorates Fonthill’s are the notebooks and meticu- T In celebration of its centen- 100th anniversary. It was May lous records kept by Henry nial Fonthill announces the 1912 when Henry Mercer Mercer. Also included is creation of a Byers’ Choice moved into his castle creation. information on some current Caroler® depicting Henry In this newsletter, we’ll share projects indicating the ongo- Chapman Mercer along with Mercer’s own account of the ing care of the complex prop- his dog, Rollo. Byers’ Choice innovative and experimental erty as the Bucks County Ltd. of Bucks County is well construction of Fonthill, new Historical Society continues known for its Carolers which research on the workers of its stewardship of this are sold around the world. Fonthill, and Mercer’s inspira- National Historic Landmark The figurine will be for tion for components of the for future generations. sale exclusively at Fonthill Castle and Mercer Museum Shop beginning in May. The The Building of “Fonthill” at cost of the Caroler will be $70 Doylestown, Pennsylvania, for Henry Mercer and $20 for In 1908, 1909 and 1910 Rollo; they may be purchased separately. BCHS members Byers’ Choice Caroler® of Copy of a typewritten description found among the receive a 10% discount. For Henry Mercer in tweed pants and papers of Henry Chapman Mercer information contact the Mer- matching vest; he is holding a tile representative of the Moravian everal sketches and mem- cer Museum Shop at muse- Tiles he designed and produced. Soranda in my note books [email protected] Rollo is at his side wearing a show that the building of or 215-345-0210 x 130. complementary scarf. “Fonthill” was first consid- ered definitely during my visit to New England in the sum- AAA Names Fonthill a mer of 1907, and that the cheerful fronting of certain ‘Travel Gem’ houses, overlooking Commer- onthill Castle has been se- section of its winter 2012 cial Street, Boston, running N. Flected by AAA’s magazine issue. Home & Away is distrib- N. E. by 1 point East, were Henry Chapman Mercer Home & Away as one of the uted to 1.1 million household in front of the fireplace in studied for this purpose. Fonthill’s Saloon. Mercer died at “uncommon travel gems” pro- members of the American Au- …continued on page 13 Fonthill in 1930 aged 73. filed in the Travel Treasures tomobile Association. Henry Chapman Mercer’s Fonthill, completed in 1912; photograph by Rosemary Taglialetela. Natural Beauties Being Developed by H.C. Mercer Intelligencer Newspaper, June 5, 1908 street, is being fenced in. “slicking up” process, such as Reclaiming the Old “Fisher Farm” Only a tramp over the tract is employed in bridges of this will give a full idea of the work structure. Edison, the Wizard, East of the Borough being done. There are so many suggested something of this Interesting Experiment in Erecting a Reinforced changes and such a variety of kind, but his idea of having Concrete House of Magnificent Proportions – improvements that a written giant molds has not met with a Making the Farm a Spot of Beauty description would hardly do great deal of approval. them full justice. And the work Speaking of that Mr. Mercer o quietly that the public are found in different parts of is still going on. said, “The plan of building Sknows almost nothing the tract, which is magnifi- about it Henry C. Mercer in cently located and attractively developing the great natural undulating, and all of the nat- beauties of the old “Fisher ural beauties are being Farm,” east of the County Seat reclaimed from the ravages of on Court street, some distance man. Woodland, creeks and from the borough line, and try- springs are being cleaned of ing an interesting experiment the refuse accumulated in in building a reinforced con- them for years; a large quarry crete house four stories high. has been turned into a finely It is more than the Fisher terraced nook with a spring at Farm which is being devel- the bottom; a very old house oped. It is several small is being restored and pre- adjoining properties on which served; and the whole tract, are found a number of excel- which really takes in nearly all lent springs, one of which a of the land bounded by East large one, is the beginning of street, the Lumberville Road, Fonthill under construction ca 1910. Note original farmhouse Cook’s Run. Beautiful groves Swamp Road and East Court on left being absorbed into Mercer’s own architectural design. Concrete House houses with giant iron moulds Fonthill Recognized with Award As for the reinforced con- is not feasible, because it The Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia has an- crete house, that is an experi- would only result in plain, little nounced its 2012 Preservation Achievement Awards. The ment. “I haven’t any precedent bits of dwellings, all of the Alliance is giving an award to the Bucks County Historical for it,” said Mr. Mercer Thurs- same style of architecture. Society for its outstanding service in preserving and pro- day. “I am simply following There is a difference in con- tecting one of the region’s most significant cultural assets .... out my own ideas, and it may structing a house as we are Fonthill. The Special 100th Anniversary Recognition Award be a failure. Some of the doing it here for there is is being presented on the occasion of Fonthill’s 100th experiments I am making the greatest latitude for an anniversary. The Preservation Alliance is a non-profit would hardly be safe for an expression of individuality. organization which promotes the appreciation, protection and architect to suggest if he cared Another advantage will be the revitalization of the Philadelphia region’s historic buildings, anything for his professional cheapness in constructing an communities and landscapes. The awards are being presented reputation. In making them enduring dwelling and men at a luncheon to be held in Philadelphia in May. myself I run the whole risk.” must eventually come to this Certainly the beginning scheme if timber continues to Fonthill Castle does not suggest failure. As increase in price.” onthill, Fonthill Museum…Fonthill Castle. As part of yet, of course, the foundation Incidentally, Mr. Mercer has Fthe re-branding process for the organization, Fonthill will walls are all that have been constructed gigantic gate posts, now be marketed as ‘Fonthill Castle’ to more accurately constructed, but they are heavy patterned after a sketch made reflect the appearance and experience reflected in the house. and strong and give an impres- by him in Yucatan, and these Although known locally as ‘Fonthill’ that one word does not sion of endurance which even will be of the rough concrete describe what the site is or what one might expect. ages could hardly effect. The construction. A new joint logo has been developed combining Mercer upper part of the structure will All these things are interest- Museum and Fonthill Castle. A special centennial logo has be more difficult, for every- ing, but above all is the fact been developed to recognize this important year. Visit the web- thing, even steps, will be of that a garden spot, one of the site www.fonthillmuseum.org to learn more about special tours reinforced concrete, and an most beautiful in this part of (Intimate Henry, Building Henry’s Castle Tour) and events. interesting fact about the exte- the county, is being preserved rior will be the absence of any as a county seat. ■ 2 “Henry Chapman Mercer’s Fonthill is perhaps one of the greatest of the individual American Arts and Crafts dwellings. It was totally created by an individual; and his eccentricity- and genius- is visible throughout.” –Richard Guy Wilson, Architectural Historian, University of Virginia excerpted from A&E’s America’s Castles, 1987. Mercer’s Tiles Provide Robert P. Leiby, Jr.’s Legacy ob Leiby was passionate about Henry Mercer’s museums. Inspiration Today BAfter he retired from banking, he looked for an organization to become involved with- he chose Fonthill. As a volunteer guide Tile by Sarah Gilbert, 12th grade, he enjoyed sharing the many facets included in Fonthill’s tile exhibit of Henry’s life and house with from February to March 2012. Students from Central Bucks High visitors from all over the world. School East created tiles inspired Bob also volunteered at Fonthill’s by Henry Mercer’s many tile Old-Fashioned 4th of July, at the designs. Our thanks to teacher Ann Huuki for facilitating the Mercer Museum’s Folk Fest and important project. as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Bucks County Historical Society. Bob left a lasting legacy by From Frank Swain’s scrapbook creating a Charitable Remainder Plus Ultra Tile in Fonthill. April 14 – 10 [1910?] Int [Intelligencer] Trust with the Bucks County Plus Ultra, More Beyond became Mercer’s motto. isitors to Henry C. Mercer’s wonderful concrete palace on Historical Society as the benefici- VEast Court street have their attention attracted to two things ary. Mr. Leiby chose this vehicle for tax purposes. In addition, besides the house and the building operations if they make their Mr. Leiby made provisions for BCHS in his will. As Bob visits on week days. One is a large rooster which answers the pur- explained some years ago about his planned gift “If you, like me, pose of a watch dog and comes aggressively at visitors in an have received many hours of enjoyment visiting these museums attempt to intimidate them, or attacks their feet if his bold and why not create a trust with them.