Fonthill’S Anniversary Treasure at and Revitalization of the Philadelphia Region’S Historic Mercer Buildings, Communities and Landscapes

July-December 2012 Newsletter of the Bucks County Historical Society Vol. 26 Number 3 Preservation Alliance Recognizes Hunt for Fonthill’s Anniversary Treasure at and revitalization of the Philadelphia region’s historic Mercer buildings, communities and landscapes. The Alliance notes that Fonthill Castle “is one of the Philadelphia region’s most dis- tinguished historic properties.” “We are extremely appre- ciative of the Preservation Alliance’s recognition of our stewardship of Fonthill Castle,” notes Bucks County Historical Society Executive Director, Douglas Dolan. “It is gratify- ing to be acknowledged by our

Photo by Scott Spitzer Photography. Spitzer Scott by Photo colleagues in historic preserva- The Hunt for Treasure. Visitors L to r: Edward Reidell, Fonthill Site Administrator, Doug Dolan, BCHS tion who understand the chal- enjoy a previous installation of this Executive Director, and Bill Maeglin, Chair, BCHS Board of Directors, lenges we face in preserving engaging traveling exhibit, on view receive the 2012 Preservation Achievement Award recognizing Fonthill’s 100th at the Mercer through September 21. anniversary at the Preservation Alliance’s awards ceremony in Philadelphia. our National Historic Land- marks and sharing their stories urrently on view at the he Preservation Alliance of significant cultural assets, with the public.” Mercer Museum is the Greater Philadelphia pre- Fonthill Castle. The Special Fonthill is offering a series C T traveling exhibit, The Hunt for sented its 2012 Preservation 100th Anniversary Recogni- of programs this year to Treasure! Developed by NRG! Achievement Awards in May. tion Award recognized the mark its 100th Anniversary. Exhibits, this highly engaging The Alliance gave an award to occasion of Fonthill’s 100th The new Building Henry’s and interactive family exhibit the Bucks County Historical anniversary. The Preservation Castle Tour continues through features four themed areas: Society for its outstanding Alliance is a non-profit September 3, 2012 and is sunken treasure, buried treas- service in preserving and pro- organization which promotes offered daily in addition to the ure, detecting treasure and the tecting one of the region’s most the appreciation, protection regular guided tour. ■ modern treasure hunt. Through video and hands-on compo- nents, visitors will experiment “Apron Archaeologist” with metal detectors, take part in a treasure hunt game, learn EllynAnne Geisel to how underwater remote oper- ated vehicles (ROVs) operate, Appear at Mercer try their hands at safe-crack- n conjunction with the opening of the exhibit, ing, and hoist a pirate flag. IThe Apron Chronicles: A Patchwork of To complement the exhibit, American Recollections, the show’s originator the Museum has added numer- and curator, EllynAnne Geisel, will appear at the ous artifacts to the show, both Mercer Museum this fall. Although her precise from its own holdings as well itinerary is still being developed, Geisel is as private collections in the expected to be in the Doylestown area for area. Among the borrowed several days for media interviews, appearances objects on view are a silver and special program presentations. ingot from a Spanish treasure Opening the weekend of October 6-7, The Apron ship lost off of Grand Bahamas Chronicles explores the American experience as Island about 1525; coins from seen and read through nearly 50 images, text in story Photography Bigley/APS Steve the Atocha, another galleon “Apron Archaeologist” Ellyn Anne Geisel in One of …continued on page 14 Her Apron Creations. …continued on page 12 “Making History” Donor Recognition Celebration n May 17, a celebration was held in the OGreat Hall of the Mercer Museum to honor the donors to the “Making History” campaign. Bill Maeglin, Chair, Board of Directors, announced the official end to the campaign, stating that the original fundrais- ing goal of $10M was surpassed by $2M, to make the total funds raised $12M.

Enjoying the evening are from l to r: Jay William D. Maeglin, BCHS Belding, BCHS Truestee, John Mauro & Board Chair thanks donors. BCHS Trustee, Grover Friend.

Donor Elizabeth H. Gemmill, Esq. with, BCHS Executive Director, Doug Dolan. Artistic ironwork donated by Christine and Noel Figueroa of Elm Grove Forg evokes the experience within the Mercer Museum.

Cocktails at the Castle serves tradition with a twist! n Friday, October 12, join us as Othe Mercer Museum unveils our new fall gala – Cocktails at the Castle: A Savory Exploration to Benefit the Mercer Museum. In keeping with the tradition of our Savory Sampler, the evening includes food and beverages prepared by our area’s finest restaurants, wineries, and breweries. But now as you wind your way through the castle, you will experience the museum’s collection in a whole new way! In addition, you will be able to bid on unique experiences and spectacular items at silent and live auctions. So save the date and look for your invitation this summer! For information, call 215-345-0210, ext. 132.

Please remember the Mercer Museum and Fonthill Castle in your estate plans. Call our Development Office for information at 215-345-0210, ext. 129.

2 The Building Of “Fonthill” At Doylestown, Pennsylvania, In 1908, 1909 And 1910 Copy of a typewritten description found among the papers of the late Dr. Henry Chapman Mercer (Continued from previous newsletter)

EILINGS AND ROOFS wind, on large drawings and then C— For the flat ceilings in turned upside down and pushed the cellar, platforms of boards into the sand. We feared sagging sawed to fit were placed be- of vault forms and the falling of tween the beam troughs and heavy tiles set in this manner, but these levels covered with earth. no such bad results followed. Later, for upper rooms, the plat- When we pulled out the forms were made very roughly platform props, the platforms of rails covered with grass under collapsed and tons of earth and the earth layer, and then about sand fell, exposing the tiles, after two inches of yellow Bucks which the loose sand was County sand was spread over washed off with a hose and the earth. The roof terraces and when dry brushed and shellaced flatter roofs were also so treated, between the tiles. but on the very steep roofs of the tower and east gable carpets INTERIOR FINISHING— only were spread over the CEILINGS:YELLOW ROOM The interior walls were not boards except on the east room furred. Sometimes they were ceiling, where, in spite of the compound was used for the steeple were not necessary as plastered with lime and sand steep slope, the earth and sand roofs or walls except Dycker- the surfaces under them were mortar or with cement and then layer was used as described. hof’s imported waterproof already waterproofed. shellaced with yellow shellac or The vault forms were made cement for the large west ter- tinted with a clay wash colored of heaps of earth spread over race. Otherwise, on the advice DECORATIONS—In the with dry paints. The panels in piles of boxes and overlaid as of Mr. Robert W. Lesley, based hall and Saloon clay troughs for the Pine Room, Dormer Room, before with sand, producing a on experiments then made with groins and borders and clay im- etc., were adapted from those at series of carefully graded lime, we used ten per cent. (to pressions of stoveplates were Haddon Hall, the Library pan- mounds resting on the platforms the volume of dry cement) of used in casting the ceilings. Oth- els were original and colored as before. This process began in powdered slacked lime used by erwise tiles were pushed face with water color paint sprayed the crypt of the tower where no plasterers and called “Limoid” downwards into the sand crust with shellac. The Morning sand layer was used. In the to waterproof the five-inch so as to project about a quarter Room was paneled with old Library the earth mounds were concrete layer on all roofs and of an inch on the backs. The tile Doylestown doors of varying raked into semi-circles or terraces. This was very success- and cement pavements were set dates and styles between 1760 ellipses and the sand overlay ful. Only one roof, namely, that after construction. A method of and 1850. carefully smoothed. All worked in the Smoking Room, ever casting designs or pictures upon The painted door in the Li- well notwithstanding the diffi- leaked, and that cured itself ceilings in colored cements was brary was made by outlining the culty of scalloping the wall probably by crystallization in twice dried successfully in the pattern with a cautery and was forms to meet the slopes of about two years. The large water cellar of the Saloon, but not at- copied from Froissart’s Chroni- these mounds, and cleaning or tank, resting directly on the ceil- tempted later. The ceiling tile cle and taken from my old room washing out the column forms ing of the Wind Room was thus work pictures, inscriptions, at Aldie. The iron balcony rail- from down-fallen earth and waterproofed, notwithstanding designs, etc., cast as described ings were patterned after those sand. Having heard of serious warnings from one of the directly during construction tried seen in an old second-class hotel condensation of moisture in a builders of the swimming first in the crypt and next in the in Genoa, those of cement in the recently built house in Canada pool at the Racquet Club in Library, was very successful. Saloon and outer terraces were we decided to cast a very porous Philadelphia, then recently built The elaborate and probably taken from the porch of San undercrust on all further ceil- and lined with tar paper. This overworked pictures in the Marco at Venice. The rhymed ings. This consisted of Portland Fonthill tank, however, sprang a Columbus and Bow Rooms, English mottoes on the stair- cement 1 part and fine sifted slight leak several years later, which may be called adaptations cases are original. Several in cinder 6 parts. Three inches of but again cured itself in a year or of our mosaics with patterns Latin are from old house door- this was spread wet over all the two. The same thing happened modeled in relief and no back- ways in Genoa. “Non Omnia ceilings under the re-enforcing with the tank at the pottery. No ground were designed in August sed bona et bene” from No. 15 irons and then about five inches cracks have thus far appeared in and burnt and set before frost. (black numbers), Via del of regular concrete was super any of the roofs or ceilings. The The tiles were laid first with Campo, “Non domo dominus posed. No waterproofing roof tiles on the tower and much difficulty, owing to the …continued on page 12 3 Recent Acquisitions – The Hinkel & Biehn Shoe Store n 2003, the Mercer Museum structed a new, much ex- Ireceived the gift of a panded store on the same West mammoth c. 1909 electric cash Broad Street site, in order to register that once served the accommodate a growing busi- owners and patrons of the ness. This building still stands Hinkel & Biehn Shoe Store in today. Harry W. Hinkel oper- Quakertown, Bucks County. In ated the establishment until he continuous use until the store died in 1932, when his son, H. closed in 1966, the register is a Tobias Hinkel, took over the security behemoth that once store. H. Tobias Hinkel’s off- even frustrated a heavy-handed spring, Harry T. Hinkel – the robbery attempt. donor – recalls working at the Recently, the grandson of store in his youth. The busi- the proprietor who originally ness ceased operation in 1966. acquired the cash register for Due to the meticulous his shoe store – and the great- descriptions that the donor has grandson of 19th-century provided of the shoe store’s shoemaker Tobias Hinkel who operations, and the detailed founded the firm – donated identifications of photographs additional artifacts to the and artifacts, the Hinkel & museum documenting the his- Biehn establishment is proba- tory of one of Quakertown’s HINKEL & BIEHN SHOE STORE INTERIOR, WEST BROAD STREET, QUAKERTOWN. bly one of the best documented Faintly visible in the center of this image are the chairs used to seat landmark businesses. Harry T. customers while trying on shoes. One of these chairs is among the objects businesses in the County! The Hinkel, and his wife Peg of donated to the Mercer Museum recently by Harry and Peg Hinkel, along Museum is very pleased to be Doylestown, contributed a with many other items documenting the history of the Hinkel & Biehn firm. the custodian of this piece of number of advertising items, Bucks County history. shoemaker’s tools, photo- about 1858. His original trade footwear for retail sale. In In addition to the Hinkel & graphs and postcards, and sign hangs in the shoemaking 1885 Hinkel entered a part- Biehn materials, the Mercer is even one of the chairs in exhibit at the Mercer Mu- nership with his brother-in- also strongly indebted to donor which early 20th-century cus- seum. In 1870 he moved into law, Milton A. Biehn, selling David Long for contributing an- tomers once sat to have their Quakertown, continuing to shoes in a shop built by Biehn other large group of artifacts, feet sized and shoes fitted. manufacture his own boots on West Broad Street in Quak- images and documentary mate- Tobias Hinkel launched the and shoes, but also supple- ertown. rials related to local history. original shoemaking business menting his own production In 1909, Tobias Hinkel’s While Mr. Long’s gift is in Rich Hill, Bucks County with commercially-made son, Harry W. Hinkel, con- extremely diverse, and too extensive to list in detail here, among the items are a set of 1950s-60s photos of the Vargo Dragway in Bedminster, Bucks County; a set of molds from the mid-20th century Pennsbury Pottery Company in Mor- risville; and photographs from the early years of the Fairless Works/U.S. Steel Corporation plant in Falls Township. One final recent acquisition of note is a Notenbuchlein – a manuscript tune book – with a fraktur bookplate inscribed to Samuel Landes, a singing student in the Bedminster School, and dated 1816. The tune book was given by Barbara Althouse in memory of Esther Landes Althouse, and joins two other

MANUSCRIPT TUNE BOOK AND BOOKPLATE OF SAMUEL LANDES, Bedminster School, 1816. Gift of Barbara Althouse items of family fraktur given in in memory of Esther Landes Althouse, 2011. 2010 by the same donor. ■

4 Nature Club Donates Tree to Fonthill n honor of Fonthill’s 100th Anniversary celebra- Ition, the Doylestown Nature Club has donated a cherry tree to be planted on the grounds. But why choose a cherry tree when there are so many native varieties to choose from? Perhaps it is not too surprising that the answer comes to us from Henry Mercer’s papers. When Henry Mercer began to purchase the various pieces of property that make up the grounds of Fonthill one of the sections had been a farm. In addition to the farmhouse, barn and various outbuildings, there were also fruit trees on the property. L to r: Margarite Quinn with “Henry Mercer” (C. Jameson Bradley) and Fonthill Site Administrator, Ed Reidell. Of these fruit trees it was a cherry tree that was destined to be the n Memorial Day, during Fonthill’s “Construction Day” setting for an important, if sad, event Oprogram, State Representative Margarite Quinn pre- in Henry Mercer’s life. Shown here is one of Henry sented a Citation on behalf of the House of Representa- In the spring of 1916, Mercer Mercer’s original “Everlasting Tree Labels,” originally tives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to Fonthill wrote, “Dear old Rollo died under designed for the arboretum Castle congratulating the site on its 100th anniversary. Ad- the cherry tree in front of that was being established on ditional citations and proclamations in honor of Fonthill’s Fonthill…The cherry blossoms were the grounds of Fonthill, for a sweet cherry tree (Prunus centennial and Henry Mercer’s castle-like home have come not yet out on that sad day. May I avium). It is interesting to note from the Senate of Pennsylvania sponsored by Senator meet you again where they are in full he uses the common name of Chuck McIlhinney, the Bucks County Commissioners, and bloom, dear Old Boy!” Mercer even “crab cherry” instead of “sweet cherry” or “ox-heart the Borough of Doylestown by Mayor Libby White. penned a map of the cherry tree cherry” to describe this fruit under which his beloved dog died. tree. It was under one of these But before and after Rollo’s death, trees in front of the house that It’s a Dog’s Life! his devoted owner enjoyed the pres- Rollo died. ence of these old cherry trees. In his booklet, “The Trees of Doylestown,” Mercer describes the Sweet Cherry (Prunus avium) as “best known in the forms of the “Pie,” “Ox-heart” and “Black” Cherry.” Mercer goes on to describe the trees beauty, “the magnif- icence of its white bloom, which gladdening the road-side when the Meadow Lark sings his spring song, only yields to those blossoms which the Japanese wonder at on April 7th.” He even took advantage of the delicious fruit of the trees. In one of Laura Swain’s house bills is the entry, “boys picked cherries 2 afternoons.” The cherry trees in front of Fonthill did not last long after Henry Mercer passed away. In September 1930, Frank Swain wrote to Dr. B.F. Fackenthal, “The cyclone that passed over here this evening completely snapped off two feet from the ground, one of the ancient ox-heart cherry trees on the circle.” Only three years later he wrote again to Dr. Fackenthal, “On Saturday night May 20 one of the worse storms since 1911 passed over Fonthill & as usual did enormous damage to the trees, especially the largest & oldest and on that part where the lawn is mowed around the house - Many of these trees were planted by Mrs Haller Gross for Dr Mercer & many by Dr. “SHELLBARK” ON HIS TRICYCLE Doylestown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania Mercer as his favorite trees and for these I am very sorry. 3 of the Late 19th-century Balm of Gillead [sic], several very fine Carolina Poplars a huge Gift of Walter Corson, 1916 Silver poplar & the largest wild cherry around here and two of the visit to the general store of Walter Corson on State Street in largest very old Ox heart Cherry Trees on the circle.” (italics added) ADoylestown in the 1880s or 1890s might have included a Unfortunately, Ox-heart cherry trees are a difficult heirloom glimpse of the Corson family’s celebrated dog, “Shellbark.” Not variety to find theses days. After much searching and discussion only did Shellbark work the treadmill to grind coffee in the Cor- between the staff of Fonthill and the Doylestown Nature Club, it son store, he also performed tricks on the tricycle. Walter Corson has been decided to plant a Black Cherry tree (Prunus serotina) donated the treadmill and tricycle to the Mercer Museum in 1916 near the site of the tree that Rollo died under. While not a fruit and 1919 respectively. Affixed to the treadmill (built by Corson tree, the Black Cherry is a native tree to this area and a favorite about 1876) was a picture of Shellbark astride his “trike.” ■ of birds. We think Henry Mercer would approve. ■ 5 The Story of the Long White Baby Dress By Carol Jones or approximately 150 years, from sterilized by boiling, and fading or bleeding col- Faround 1790 to 1940, long white ors could be avoided. Whites were also consid- cotton dresses were everyday and special ered to be safer for infants because dyes were occasion garments for both male and female thought to be potentially poisonous. infants of middle and upper class families. The The baby’s mother often created dresses for gender-neutral dresses were indeed the “small her newborn. Dresses were also often made and white uniform” of their time. These dresses, given as a gift by a family member or friend. whether lovingly handmade or expensively Museum donor documentation reveals that bought, were treasured and often handed down creators included mothers, grandmothers, aunts, to later generations. dressmakers, and even fathers of the infant. During the nineteenth and into the twentieth Towards the end of the 1800s, ready-made century, gender distinctions were obscured dresses became available. in clothing for infants. Long dresses signified A home sewer could purchase fabric and infancy for both boys and girls. Perhaps ornamentation from dry goods stores or mail males and females wore dresses because order catalogs. Long white baby dresses were women were chiefly responsible for childcare, sometimes made up from parts of adult clothes, or because of the ease in changing diapers. such as women’s lace or embroidered petticoats. Still another explanation refers to an ancient Some creators of the dresses used their wedding custom of dressing boys and girls alike to gown and veil. Home sewers could create deceive evil spirits that were thought to harm patterns from purchased garments by copying male children. existing garments. By the end of the nineteenth Infants wore long dresses for several century, an abundance of periodicals, pattern reasons. They were necessary to keep the baby warm at a time when central heating was nonexistent in most homes. Another functional aspect of the long dresses was that they hindered a crawling baby from getting too far from the watchful eyes of the caregiver. Dress length also provided an expression of status, both for the display of needlework skill by the creator and as a symbol of Victorian affluence. White was regarded as the traditional color of babyhood because of its association with purity and innocence. Easily drafting methods and commercial patterns were stained and soiled, white clothing made it available to the home sewer. From the Mercer Museum’s obvious which conscientious mothers kept their Most of the white embroidery work was done collection, 98.00.318, circa 1850-1860. This dress is an children clean. White garments were also as a cottage industry. The earnings were extremely example of Ayrshire embroidery. considered easiest to wash since they could be low, and conditions were unhealthy. Frequently, the workers would strain their eyes working in dim light. Some of the workers would bathe their eyes with whiskey for the relief and the temporary “The North Star” Crew Visit the sharpness it gave to their vision. Ayrshire work, or white embroidery worked Mercer Museum on white cotton, was popular from around 1820 to 1870. It was named after Ayr, Scotland, where 3rd from Left: Thomas Phillips (writer & it originated. Ayrshire work was done on the director of “The North Star”) Melissa Jay, (Mercer Museum Education Coordinator), bodice, the center front skirt panel, and the short and Clifton Powell (lead actor) pose with sleeves of infants’ dresses. In addition to com- the rest of “The North Star” movie entourage pleted dresses, kits could be purchased to be and Benjamin Jones' shoe. “The North Star” is a film being produced in Bucks embroidered by the home sewer. Ayrshire work County based on the story of Ben Jones declined by the 1860s, when the hand embroi- and Moses Hopkins and the Underground dery machine was invented. Railroad. Research for the film was done in the Mercer Museum's Library. For The idea that all long white infant dresses more information on the movie, visit: were christening/baptismal gowns is a myth. http://thenorthstarmovie.com/home/. Infants wore long white dresses as everyday …continued on page 7

6 continued from page 6 white baby dress occurred in the times. The analysis of nine- housework. The difficulty of apparel and nightgowns. It the twentieth century, as atti- teenth century infants’ dresses caring for the dresses was not cannot be assumed that a long tudes toward children paral- helps uncover the nature of the an issue for Victorian society. white baby dress is a christen- leled changes in their everyday lives of children and Just as the study of the ing gown unless documenta- clothing. Dress reformers and their parents’ perceptions of objects that Henry Mercer tion states that it was used in social and economic changes them. Freedom of movement collected gives us insights this way. While it is likely that were strong contributing in- and comfort in children’s gar- into pre-Industrial Revolution the most ornate dresses were worn as christening gowns, many of these fancy dresses The idea that all long white infant dresses were worn as everyday clothing. Evidence of this is shown were christening/baptismal gowns is a myth. in elaborate dresses with significant signs of wear, includ- fluences to the changing styles ments were not priorities. times, the study of long white ing patches and repairs. of infants’ dress. Beginning Nineteenth century baby baby dresses gives us insights Conversely, many of the around the end of World War I dresses also communicate into the lives of nineteenth cen- plainer dresses were in fact children’s clothing became something about the makers’ tury women and children. created and worn as christen- more practical and comfort- lives because the dresses reveal ing gowns. In addition, a dress able. Further, the twentieth much about Victorian attitudes. Carol Jones is the Mercer that was created for every day century experienced a democ- The long white infants’ dress Museum’s curatorial assistant. use may have been used as a ratization of clothing due to was a reflection of the female’s She studied hundreds of nine- christening gown by later gen- mass produced ready-to-wear. status in the nineteenth cen- teenth century long white baby erations. Fashion expresses the spirit tury. Victorian women were dresses for the subject of her The demise of the long of a society and is a mirror of not as yet “emancipated” from master’s thesis. ■

Questers Group Makes Gift to Adopt-an-Artifact Campaign he Mercer Museum continues to raise funds for the much- Tneeded conservation treatment of eighty or more Civil War artifacts and artworks in the collections. These materials will be incorporated into a 2013 exhibit focused on the Civil War as experienced here in Bucks County and the Delaware Valley. Recently, the Fonthill Questers presented the Museum with two checks totaling $1500 to support the conservation of a Civil War officer’s frock coat in the Mercer collection. The contribution includes a $750 Pennsylvania State Questers grant, matched by an additional $750 from the local chapter. The Museum and Histor- ical Society are extremely grateful for this gift. The coat to be conserved belonged originally to Mahlon Yardley, a local attorney who served first as a lieutenant in the 104th Pennsylvania Infantry and later as Provost Marshal of Pennsylvania’s 5th District, based in what is now the Frank- ford section of Philadelphia. Yardley fell ill with Typhoid Fever during the Peninsular Campaign in 1862 and was soon after Fonthill Questers officers Pam Lahr (right) and Barbara Burnett assigned to the recruiting service while he recuperated. In present Mercer Museum V.P. for Collections Cory Amsler with a check April 1863 he was promoted Captain and took on the duties of in support of the Museum’s Adopt-an-Artifact Campaign. Provost Marshal, which included rounding up deserters, over- continue to await adoption. A gift entitles the donor to a seeing the draft, and mustering new recruits. Yardley never “certificate of adoption,” plus recognition in museum catalog returned to the field, and never fully recovered from his ill- records and in label copy for the 2013 exhibition. Gifts can ness. Serving as an internal revenue service collector after the be made in the name of the donor, on the part of a group or War, he died just shy of his fiftieth birthday in 1873. organization, or in memory of a loved one – or even a Civil The Museum and Library maintain several other objects in War ancestor. Can you help? the collections related to Yardley, whose importance lies This is an opportunity to help preserve key pieces of largely in the role he played locally in his recruitment efforts local and regional history. For more information on objects in and in enforcing the Civil War draft. Following its conserva- need of adoption, go to the Mercer Museum website, tion treatment, Yardley’s coat and other artifacts will be www.mercermuseum.org under Join and Support. Or, featured in the planned 2013 exhibit. contact the Museum’s Vice President for Collections and More support for the Adopt-an-Artifact program is still Interpretation, Cory Amsler, at 215-345-0210 ext. 127, or needed, and many objects, documents and works of art [email protected].

7 Collections on the Road! he Mercer Museum’s loan program continues to be strong and Ta great source of pride, traveling to prestigious institutions and educating audiences young and old. Visit our artifacts at the following institution: National Constitution Center, Philadelphia, PA. “The Story of We, the People,” July 2012 – January 2013 This exhibit explores the voting process at local and national levels, and the history of democracy in the United States. The Mercer Museum is lending two artifacts to this exhibit; an early 20th century metal ballot box used in Northampton Township and a ca. 1980 Voting Machine Demo, also used in Bucks County elections. For more information on these two artifacts, please visit our on-line catalog RolloPAC and search accession numbers MM2007.02.001.1-2 and MM2009.07.002

Women’s Baseball Exhibit Coming to Mercer he traveling exhibit, Line history has been made and discov- TDrives and Lipstick: The Un- ered. Curator Kovatch is consider- told Story of Women’s Baseball, ing adding some additional will be making its final stop on a materials to the show for its final five year tour at the Mercer Mu- venue at the Mercer Museum. seum over the coming winter. The Of course, Bucks County and exhibit’s title and subject matter the Delaware Valley have their own may immediately conjure up im- regional baseball history – includ- ages of the 1940s-era All American ing women’s baseball. Delving into Girls Professional Baseball League materials acquired when the Mer- – the subject of the popular 1992 cer Museum conducted research for film, A League of Their Own. How- a sports history exhibit in the early ever, women’s baseball actually 1990s, several pictures of Agnes began with the creation of a Vassar (“Aggie” or “Ginger”) Robinson College team in 1866. Less than a re-surfaced. Robinson, who grew decade later, women were being up in Edgely and Morrisville, paid to play ball, and a surprising Bucks County, went on to play number of women were included baseball in the early 1930s with the on 20th-century men’s teams. New York Bloomer Girls, a barn- Line Drives and Lipstick docu- storming women’s baseball team ments this lesser known side of that traveled across the country America’s baseball history, and fea- challenging both men’s and tures both images and artifacts women’s teams alike. drawn from one of the nation’s In conjunction with hosting the largest collections of women’s traveling exhibit, the Mercer Mu- baseball memorabilia. The show seum will be unearthing more local was curated by Saint Mary’s Col- baseball history – both men’s and lege Archivist John Kovatch, and women’s baseball – and will mount features additional commentary by a companion exhibit. So next win- Barbara Gregorich, author of ter, when everyone is getting anx- AGNES (“GINGER”) ROBINSON. Growing up in Lower Bucks Women at Play: The Story of ious for spring training to begin, County, Robinson punted for the men’s football team at St. Women in Baseball. In the years visitors can get a good early dose of Ann’s Parish in Bristol, ran track at Morrisville High School, played baseball in Trenton, and went on to catch and play since the exhibit first began to America’s national pastime at the third base for the New York Bloomer Girls in the early 1930s. travel, even more women’s baseball Mercer. ■

8 Exhibit Stitches in Time: Exploring Embroidered Samplers September 8 – November 15, 2012

hen we look at sam- symbolism, one must exam- Wplers several questions ine a group of samplers from come to mind… the same general location and Where did the patterns time period, and similarities come from? Is there symbol- will begin to emerge. ism behind the design Stitches in Time will elements? examine over 50 samplers Who made it and where from the Mercer Museum’s did she live? How did she permanent collection, many learn to stitch? of which have never been We can sometimes answer exhibited, as well as borrowed these questions with a casual pieces from premiere private glance at the sampler, as collections and prestigious some will include the local museums. We will com- maker’s name and the year pare 18th and 19th century stitched on it. Sometimes, Quaker samplers, exploring more information can be how they were influenced by learned such as the names of the English, and comparing her parents and siblings, the these pieces with Pennsylva- school she attended, or nia German communities and the name of her teacher. their methodology of teach- However, to learn where the ing and transference of style patterns originated and the Alphabet Sampler made by Susanna Twining 1809 and design.

The Wild World of Wizarding School at the Mercer Museum: On Film! f you are familiar with the supernatural creatures….. recreate the mythology that IHarry Potter book series and This is the beginning of the has been written to construct the now famous Hogwart’s mythology that Melissa Jay an in-depth background for School of Witchcraft and Wiz- and Heather Hicks of the mu- the entertainment of our dedi- ardry, then you will find the seums’ Education Department cated campers. The film will tale behind the premier Amer- have created to enhance the premiere on CBTV (Central ican School of Wizardry, The magical quality of The Wild Bucks Television, a station for Wild World of Wizarding World of Wizarding School the schools in the Central School at the Mercer Museum, Camp which takes place in Bucks School District). In the absolutely fascinating! It was July. For the past three sum- future, this film will be up- founded almost 100 years ago mers, this popular camp has loaded onto our new Mercer by an American wizard you been tuning into the imagina- and Fonthill YouTube site and The Wild World of Wizarding Camp may all recognize: Henry tions of children, ages 8-12, Facebook pages. We wish to Chapman Mercer. It is a little facts, he built a concrete castle utilizing the Harry Potter se- thank Nick Madson, student at known story to most in the Muggle community of ries as inspiration. This winter, CB South for working with us Doylestown residents that Doylestown to protect them. the Mercer Museum collabo- on this project. It is yet an- Mercer spent his life traveling The castle is well-protected rated with Central Bucks other creative step to help the world collecting many an- with a core of reinforced con- South High School to create a bring visitors to our museums cient, dangerous, and magical crete serving as a protective short film about our wizard- through new promotional artifacts. To secure these arti- charm against faeries and other ing school. The film helps media. ■

9 Three Letters from the Civil War he following are excerpts from three letters written by Ellen enjoyments her husband has he would like to share with her. I THart to her husband Samuel in July 1863. A member of the was very glad to hear you are so comfortably fixed and hope it Society of Friends (Quakers), Samuel Hart nonetheless enrolled may continue so though it is a different direction. One would in the 31st Pennsylvania Emergency Troops, a militia unit called suppose your services would long be needed… out during the Confederate invasion of Pennsylvania that I am writing at the back window in our room. George is culminated in the Battle of Gettysburg. Although Hart’s militia standing on the same chair amusing himself with scratching the regiment was only in service for a couple of months, and saw no fly screen and occasionally giving my spectacles, inkstand pen, actual fighting, Ellen had no way of knowing at the time whether or paper a grasp which puts them considerably askew so if her husband would come back safely. Her anxieties, and the the[e] has some difficulty in understanding this thee may guess responsibilities she was forced to take on in Samuel’s absence, are the cause. Poor little fellow. I often think his papa would like to readily apparent in her writing. She often references the couple’s have him at camp a little while at a time. There are so many of children, George and Lizzie. Her Quaker faith did not prevent her you with babies at home you can sympathize with one another. from including some rather militant language about what she Lizzie is tolerably well behaved, does not mind as well as she would like to do to local “traitors” and “Jeff Davisites.” To enhance might but children will be children. She sometimes says “I do readability, punctuation and capitalization have been added. wish I could see my papa.” When thee first went she slept with me and George in the little bed, but when he was sick I had to 7 mo. 2nd [July 2]1863 take him in too, she loves little brother in bed with us, but I My Dear Husband, think it would suit her better if she could be next to mother, and I was very much pleased to receive thy letter last evening. It if he finds she is touching me anywhere she gets a pretty good hardly seems as though they could be soldier letters we get them scratching from him… so quickly after they are started. The weather continues very dull I feel very anxious about you sometimes but do not let it for hay making though it has not rained to wet it, the men put it prey upon me as it did when you were gone two years ago. A up day before yesterday but it was so damp they could not haul it soldier’s wife is quite an ordinary affair now, not the curiosity yesterday. This morning early seemed very dull and misty, but the she was then. Thy photograph’s came yesterday. They are very wind commenced blowing and they have now gone for their third good indeed, equal to Gutekunst I think. The style of dress load. It is quite dinner time but they are not ready for it. We all shows very distinctly. I cannot say I fancy it exactly. I am staid quietly at home first day thinking very much about you. I willing for my husband to be [a] soldier when necessary, but I believe I nerve myself to hear any thing and think it will not affect, do not want it to be a profession with him…. but second day morning I took the cream out to the gate the first salute from J. Lovett was, “Well I supposed they were fighting at Harrisburg yesterday, a dispatch came to Doylestown to that effect July 25th 1863 last night at five o’clock.” I did not go in the parlor and scream My Dear Husband, loud enough for the neighbors to hear me but I felt very uncom- Thy letter of the 11th was received today. I told Sarah it was fortable. I tried to think such a thing could not be, but at the same quite like bread that had been baked a week. We have heard time I knew it very easily might after all that has happened of late. many stories of that march of yours from Carlisle. It will do to I went up town after dinner and before I started home they pre- talk to the children and grandchildren for many years to come. tended to say the last dispatch reported not fighting at four I hope you are more comfortably fixed and better supplied with o’clock. Our reports here are the rebs are retreating but it is only provisions than some of the men report though thee says noth- to get you from the entrenchments I guess to kill the more of you ing about that, perhaps thee is more accustomed to soldier life in an open field…I wish Governor Curtin’s next order would give than some. the women power to deal as they would like to with the traitors The New York riot seems to claim the particular attention of we have here. The bullets they would get in the army would be as the loyal ones at this time. I hope the Government officials may goose feathers compared to the battering they would get here. succeed in quelling it; according to the papers it raged fearfully You would see a general skedadling to the ranks for safety. An yesterday. It is feared by many their success may incite the Cop- army so imposing never before has been seen as we would drive perheads of Philada. to the same behaviour. The result is yet to out; it would strike terror to the hearts of all Jeff Davisites who be known. You I suppose will see the papers. I cannot give an would lay down their arms instanter. This is what the women account of their doings in this sheet with two children shaking would do. Mrs. Smith I hear will give rope enough to hang her and one or the other screaming about half the time, literary mat- cedar tree full and thinks she would sleep better at nights… ters get wonderfully interfered with when two or three children I am very much obliged to thee for sitting for thy Photograph… are in the programme. I know thee wants to see them… I am going to send a note [to] Silas Fries to see if the butter cannot We are doing quite as comfortably as we could expect with- come in the morning. It is so inconvenient to send it in the after- out thee; everyday we see how much thee is needed here but noon and now it is so warm I think it must get soft before it gets to will be quite content if thee gets home sometime safely…I wish the city. With much love to thee as ever thy loving wife, E. E. Hart thee could see me trying to write a letter. I think thee would willingly excuse all mistakes. I do not know what will become 7 mo. 5th [July 5]1863 of thy boy if thee never comes back. He is rather more than I can My Dear Husband, manage with his grandmother to humor as she does…Thee can Thy last came to hand last evening, just such a letter as does a wife’s heart good, and makes her feel that whatever …continued on page 11

10 Now Where in Congratulations to the the World is Henry? Bucks and Montgomery hat’s right, where has Counties’ Regional History THenry been lately? Traveling Henry has Day Winners! been traveling all over the globe this past year. His travels outside of the U.S. have taken him to Machu Picchu, Malta, Kenya, Beijing, Malaysia, Barcelona and Prague. Henry has also been trekking about the U.S. in Oregon, Col- orado, Florida, Maine, Minnesota, and New York City. If you would Traveling Henry in Malaysia like to take a Traveling Henry with you on one of your upcoming excursions please contact us at mmeduc@ mercermuseum.org. We will be happy to prepare Henry for a new adventure. Just make sure you take a photo of Henry on the trip. Join our Facebook page to get access to rarely seen photos, event updates, interesting and intriguing museum information AND to keep up with Henry’s many world explorations.

First Place Winners of the Senior Group Documentary category, continued from page 10 Ziya Morris and Maddie Hearn, from Pennridge High School. imagine thy son looking more like a drowned chicken than any- n Saturday, March 31, 2012 the Bucks and Montgomery thing else as he is eating or rather breaking an egg shell with his OCounties’ Regional History Day competition took place at teeth and has been running between home and grandmothers Ursinus College in Collegeville, PA. Over 502 students, in through a pouring rain without anything on his head, he has not grades 6 through 12, from schools in both counties, conducted had any nap today but I shall put him to the land of dreams extensive research on subjects related directly to this year’s pretty soon. designated theme, Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History. Our corn looks quite as well as others this early planted next Students from twenty-two schools came together to present their the fence looks very fine. Josiah’s is reported to be the finest be- History Day projects in the forms of exhibits, websites, tween Doylestown and Philada. Everyone gives the opinion our documentaries, historical papers, and performances. On April wheat is very fine and none of it has spoiled yet they hauled 25, the Mercer Museum & Library celebrated the winners of the what they cut this morning. The remainder is standing if it is regional competition at a reception and open house. clear tomorrow with the force they had today they think they Students who placed in all categories of the History Day can finish…. competition had the opportunity to show off their remarkable Lee is reported to have crossed the river again. Some of the projects to family members, teachers, principals, BCHS staff hopeful ones think you will soon be home. Port Hudson is also and board members, and many more. Visitors to this congratu- reported to have surrendered. I believe it is not confirmed latory event enjoyed refreshments and light fare while watching though many believe it. The draft commenced in Philada. students present their performances and documentaries and yesterday. All passed off quietly I believe. I have not heard viewing a display of exhibits, papers, and websites. Samantha anything to the contrary and I hope there will not be such a riot Barrett, Holicong Middle School (8th Grade), won in her cate- as they have had in New York. Last night or near morning I was gory, Junior Individual Performance at the Pennsylvania State awakened by the locomotive screaming to the full capacity of History Day Competition in May of this year. Her performance steam power. I wondered if the riot has commenced in the city was titled, “The Underground Railroad: A Perilous Journey to and the women and children were sent up here. But the cause Freedom.” Samantha went on to perform at the national History of it was a broken engine in the afternoon and they sent another Day contest at the University of Maryland in June. She had a up in the night to take the train this morning. I wish thee was wonderful experience and looks forward to next year! If you wish home. I must say farewell the man is waiting to take [the to view a full list of all of the winners of this year’s regional letter] to the office. We are well as of old thy affectionate wife, competition visit, www.mercermuseum.org/learn-and-do/ Ellen E. Hart. ■ national-history-day.org. ■

11 Booktenders Donates Proceeds to Mercer Museum ast September, Ellen Mager, owner of Booktenders’ LChildren’s Bookstore and Secret Garden, selected the Mercer Museum to benefit from the release of award- winning author Brian Selznik’s Wonderstruck! Mr. Selznik wowed the audience in the museum’s Great Hall, before answer- ing questions and signing copies of his book. Mr. Selznik previ- ously won the Caldecott Award for The Invention of Hugo Cabret, which was the basis for Martin Scorcese’s film, Hugo. The Mercer Museum was “wonderstruck” by the fantastic event, which raised over $1,000 to support children’s programs at the Brian Selznik at the Mercer Museum. museum. ■

THE BUILDING OF “FONTHILL” AT DOYLESTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA, IN 1908, 1909 AND 1910 continued from page 3 sed domino domus,” Via Pon- remained in doubt and some taldi, No. 6 (black numbers). fear as to the final result till All the tiles on the wall-faces the forms were removed. The were set in the usual way and flat towered roof and “Jersey not cast in during construction. Terrace” were afterthoughts. The heavy outer doors are made When the covering of wood- of oak planks from the old cov- work finally disappeared the ered bridge at Chalfont and general outlines from the east adapted from doors at Hornby seemed disappointing and out Castle, Yorkshire. The interior of proportion, but seen from doors of the same construction the west the building realized are backed with cross battens the literary and artistic dreams from doors seen by me in 1886, and memories of travel which at Durenstein in upper Austria had inspired its construction. and elsewhere on the Danube in Large numbers of sight- Austria. The door nails were seers visited the house in 1909 made in Doylestown by a black- INTERIOR FINISHING: DOOR DETAIL and 1910, since then as a few smith and the hinges and hinge etc., in the house are of modern of the height of walls, shape of visitors continue to come, hooks from old Bucks County French make and have greatly windows, roof-lines, steeples, leaflets were written to de- barns were found in neighbor- faded. Most of the prints chimneys, etc., were finishing scribe the tile work and inte- ing scrap iron heaps. The hook (engravings) were obtained touches. The construction was rior decoration for their prongs were extra forked for from George H. Rigby, the nowhere concealed. From first benefit. Referring to these casting into the walls. A few bookseller in Philadelphia. The to last I tried to follow the more minute descriptions I late paneled doors of about picture frames were generally precept of the architect Pugin. conclude with a motto, from 1850 were bought at a Philadel- adapted from old mirror frames “Decorate construction but the door of an old house, phia wreckage yard. of about 1840, and they and the never construct decoration.” (Vico deitro il coro della The staircases were all furniture painted to give color So little was outside ap- vigne, Genoa, No. 43, red.) plastered with round treads to the room. The floors were pearance considered that we “Intro spice et judica.” ■ over wire netting placed upon polished with damp white pine the original casting. sawdust slightly oiled with The Columbus Room was boiled linseed oil. HUNT FOR TREASURE AT MERCER continued from page 1 dedicated to my aunt, Mrs. T. B. sunk in a Hurricane off of Key knife once belonging to a Lawrence, nee Mary Chapman, OUTSIDE APPEARANCE West in 1622; samples of cargo prospector at the Dutch Flat to whom I owe my education —In general the house, like old from sunken 18th-century Mining Camp during the 1849 and travels, and all the rhymed barns, anthracite coal breakers, Dutch and English merchant California Gold Rush. tile inscriptions on the columns old houses in the country before ships; and armaments from The Hunt for Treasure! will and corbels are original and 1800, and, as I believe, like British and French warships. be on view through September refer to her, in gratitude for her many European castles, was Artifacts featured from the 21. See page 14 for informa- incessant encouragement and built from the inside, that is to Museum’s collection include tion about the Hunt for Treas- help in things good and worthy be used first and looked at mining tools, a c. 1900 deep ure Appraisal Day. Check the that I have tried to do since my afterwards, therefore with only sea diver’s helmet, iron safes museum’s Calendar of Events early youth. a secondary regard for outside and other security devices, and for other programs associated The tapestry woven curtains, construction. The establishment a gold mining pan and Bowie with the exhibit. ■

12 “Architectural Hardware” at Fonthill Edited and reprinted from the Mercer Mosaic-Winter 1989, Vol. 6, No. 1 Linda F. Dyke, former Assistant Curator, Fonthill hen we speak of the ar- the strap hinges, the door pulls, Thus, Mercer’s selection of Wchitectural hardware of and all the ¾” iron pipe railings ¾” iron pipe as the basic fab- old houses, generally it is the for the stairways and balconies.4 ric of his railings, with its sim- hardware of their doors which Rapp fashioned the curved, ple bent, pinched and bolted we have in mind. But houses iron “hangers” in which the cur- construction, is not only an in- may have many other functional tain rods rest (the rods them- stance of his ability to convert metal parts as well, such as rail- selves are iron pipe); and Fluck a material produced for one ings and radiators, light furnished certain of the compo- use to another, but also repre- switches and call bells, dampers nent parts for the two dumb- sents an attempt to recreate the and dumbwaiters. Shouldn’t waiters, installed in early 1911.5 appearance of similar railings these be considered too? 1 Mass-produced hardware seen abroad. This is especially true of items were purchased in two Similarly, the designs for his Fonthill, where the compo- local stores: Charles Shive’s, at wooden doors were based on nents of the heating and elec- Main and State and James Bar- nostalgic memories: trical systems, the drapery rett’s, at Main and Ashland. The heavy outer doors are holders and railings play such Among other items, the bills made of oak planks from the important visual roles. Promi- revealed that the two-inch brass old covered bridge at Chalfont nent and oddly assorted, they curtain rings (to fit over the and adapted from doors at demand our attention on every This railing in the Gallery is pipe rods) came from Shive’s, Hornby Castle, Yorkshire. The side. Railings made of com- fabricated from ¾” iron pipe that the rim locks used on most of interior doors of the same con- mon iron pipe, bent, pinched Mercer used throughout Fonthill. the doors from Barrett’s.6 Mer- struction are backed with cross and bolted together, rub elbows cer called upon these dealers, battens from doors seen by me with beautifully cross-battened blacksmiths were responsible with the four smiths mentioned in 1886 at Durenstein in upper doors, fitted with enormous for the wrought-iron work: above, for most of the metal Austria and elsewhere on the hand wrought strap hinges and Elmer E. Barnes, Clarence H. furnishings of his house. Danube in Austria…8 wrought, clinched spikes. Vin- Davis, J.W. Rapp, and Harry His choice of material and Like Janus, Mercer’s doors tage 1912 cast iron radiators, Fluck. The most notable con- design often seems whimsical. have two “faces.” Mercer copied tinted various soft hues, are tributions of Barnes, whose He attempted to explain the the raised, vertical molding surrounded by 17th century billhead describes him as a choice of some of these items strips with the large-headed Spanish tiles on one wall, and “general blacksmith,” and “or- in notes written around 1924. wrought nails to hold them fast the front door’s huge antique namental iron worker,” were a He explained that the designs from the Hornby door. The lock of European manufacture weathervane, many of the for two of the most striking fea- moldings of yellow pine were contrasts strangely with the andirons, and the massive- tures—the railings and the locally milled and Elmer standard-issue rim locks of the headed wrought “spikes” for doors—were drawn from Barnes’ 5-cent iron spikes used other doors around it. the doors, for which Mercer memories of similar ones seen to attach them to yellow pine Henry Mercer was respon- paid a nickel apiece.3 abroad. Of the former he wrote: planks. The long, strap hinges sible for assembling these To Davis, whose shop was The iron balcony railings forged by Clarence Davis were hardware elements which seem located to the rear of 34 West were patterned after those seen tunneled through the moldings to the modern eye so eccentri- Oakland Street, was given the in an old second-class hotel in of the “Hornsby” side of each cally selected. His writings and lion’s share of the commis- Genoa, those of cement in the door, while the Austrian-in- the records of the building’s sioned smith work for the Saloon and outer terraces were spired cross-battens of the op- construction begin to suggest house. He made the building’s taken from the porch of San posing side were constructed in an underlying rationale for second weathervane, many of Marco in Venice.7 a wide variety of pleasing, geo- their assemblage, shedding metric patterns, also secured by further light on Mercer and the Barnes’ nails, driven through contrast between his sentimen- and clinched on the other side. tal nostalgia and functionalist Especially formal doors, such as practicality. the pair between the entry hall First, the exhaustively com- and the Saloon, received Davis’ plete house bills for Fonthill, hand-crafted iron door pulls, carefully preserved and metic- rounded like a Suffolk latch. ulously entered into a ledger by The juxtaposition of the Frank Swain, Mercer’s assis- large antique lock on the front tant, reveal the people who cre- door and the common rim ated or sold the building’s Henry Mercer secured the front door of his castle with this massive rim locks used inside is easily 2 hardware. Four different lock from Munich. …continued on page 14 13 “ARCHITECTURAL HARDWARE” AT FONTHILL continued from page 13 “Hunt for explained. Mercer’s Bavarian worthy in the Conservatory, overall color scheme, Mercer brother-in-law, Baron Hubert where the six linked units shows his links to the Arts and Treasure” Fidler von Isarborn, selected which span the north wall at Crafts Movement of his day. the former in Munich, in the eye level have been painted in William Morris, in England, es- Appraisal shop of a German “schlosser- an alternating color scheme of tablished a company of artists Day! meister” (locksmith). He sent ivory, rose and gold. These col- and artisans, which included it along to grace the new ors were selected to echo and fabric, wallpaper and tile de- home.9 The design of the com- complement the colors of the signers, so that there could be mon rim locks, purchased at tiles which surround them, one homogeneity to the decoration Barrett’s, made them easy to of many instances in Fonthill of a room. Mercer was his own install on the other doors. of Mercer’s sensitivity to har- Morris & Co., designing his Saturday, While they were not elegant, monizing colors. own tiles and paneling, choos- September 15 they were functional and prac- The best example of his prac- ing his own draperies, tinting 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., tical, their square, boxy shape tice of integrating all of a room’s his hardware and his built-in Mercer Museum seeming to echo the square features into a planned color wooden elements to match. Ever wonder what your quarry tiles which so often scheme is the Library, where the In his description of the de- family heirloom or flea were their neighbors. pink and blue of the tiles is re- sign of his house, he quoted a market discovery is worth? Color is a surprising feature peated on the wall-paneling and precept of the previous cen- Experts from Alderfer’s of some of the hardware in on the case of the grandfather’s tury’s English architectural re- Auction & Appraisal will Mercer’s house. The iron rail- clock; and where the red of the former, A.W. Pugin, “Decorate be on hand to talk with ings are usually painted a rich balcony railing blends with the construction but never construct you about your treasure yellow, occasionally red (as in terra cotta and the tawny color decoration.”10 Mercer carried and provide verbal ap- the Library balcony), and the of the brocade tiles and concrete this concept to lengths probably praisals. Don’t like waiting radiators, too, have been tinted vaults above it. undreamed of by Pugin, as in lines? Avoid the wait various shades. The coloring of In his desire to integrate the Fonthill’s hardware demon- and reserve a time-slot the latter is particularly note- elements of the rooms into an strates again and again. ■ with pre-registration, Notes: please call 215-348-9461 1. A preservationist, Richard Pieper also suggested the broadening of 6. See bills dated April 8 and May 4, 1911, and July 31, 1912, from ext 210. Cost is $15 per the category in 1988, at the Interiors Conference, Philadelphia, Pa. Barrett’s, and March 8, 1912 from Shive’s. item, limit of 5 ($12 for 2. See Fonthill unbound mss. series 17, vols. 27-40, for the individual 7. Henry C. Mercer, “The Building of ‘Fonthill,’ at Doylestown, Museum members). The bills themselves, and Fonthill bound mss. series 3, v. 4, for the ledger Pennsylvania, in 1908, 1909, and 1910,” A Collection of Papers Read into which they were all entered by Frank Swain (BCHS Library). Before the Bucks County Historical Society, v.6 (1932), p.328. program benefits Mercer 3. All itemized in Barnes’ bill of May 11, 1910. 8. ibid., p.39. See “Hornby Castle, Yorkshire, the Seat of the Duke of Museum collecting and 4. See s. 3, v. 4, p. 155, 119. Leeds,” Country Life, July 14, 1906, p. 54 ff. and Fonthill bound mss. conservation initiates. Ex- 5. J.W. Rapp, bill of Dec. 20, 1911. The dumbwaiter bills are dated series 3, v. 1, p. 175, 189-191, for HCM’s working out of the Hornby January 3, 1911, by the Energy Elevator Company of Philadelphia; and Austrian door designs. clusions: firearms, stamps, Jan. 7 and 14 by Buckman & Co.; and Jan. 7 and 15, by Harry Fluck 9. The baron paid 140 marks for the lock, on April 9, 1912 (series 17, coins and oversized items. for “irons, rods and bolts for waiter.” bills; see also s. 4, v. 3, p. 122). 10. Mercer, “Building of ‘Fonthill,’” p. 329.

“APRON ARCHAEOLOGIST” ELLYNANNE GEISEL TO APPEAR AT MERCER continued from page 1 form, and 155 vintage aprons. was struck by the colorful and Apronisms: Pocket Wisdom for exhibit this fall. The exhibit arose from a col- revealing history woven into Everyday. She also creates The Apron Chronicles has laboration between self- the fabric of these vintage vintage designs for her received much national recog- described “apron curator” or icons. Since then she has gath- company, Apron Memories®. nition, with the work of Geisel “apron archaeologist” Geisel, ered more than 600 aprons and Her aprons have been featured and Loggia featured in Time and award-winning documen- apron memories from across in Vogue, and even worn by magazine, The New York tary photographer Kristina America. Many of these are in- actress Marcia Cross in her Times, CBS Sunday Morning, Loggia. The apron storytellers cluded in The Apron Chroni- role as Bree Van de Camp on and NPR’s Weekend Edition, featured in the show include a cles exhibit, and in the the ABC series, Desperate among other media. De- 111-year-old mother and her accompanying catalog of the Housewives. scribed variously as the only child, a Holocaust sur- same name. Geisel is the creator of “Prima Apronista,” “Empress vivor, a biology professor from In addition to the exhibit National Tie One on Day™, of Apronology,” or just as a Mali, Africa, and a pre-teen publication, Geisel is also the now celebrated annually on hardcore Elvis Fan, Geisel re- and her grandmother. Their award-winning author of, The Thanksgiving eve as an sides in Pueblo, Colorado and stories explore the people be- Apron Book: Making, Wearing opportunity to put the blogs for The Huffington Post hind the aprons and give life to and Sharing a Bit of Cloth “give” back in Thanksgiving when she is not traveling both the fabric and the exhibit. and Comfort, The Kitchen through an act of kindness. with the exhibit or promoting EllynAnne Geisel attests Linens Book: Using, Sharing The Mercer Museum expects her products. She is looking that she “first tried on domestic and Cherishing the Fabrics of to aide Geisel in promoting forward to her visit to armor” in 1999 while writing Our Daily Lives, and a this event locally during the Doylestown and the Delaware an article about aprons, and small companion gift book, run of the Apron Chronicles Valley this October. ■ 14 2012 Mercer Museum & Fonthill Castle Partial Calendar Visit our website at: www.mercermuseum.org for complete program information.

Programs at the Lego™ Robotics Workshop– Friends of BCHS A Summertime Meander Mercer Museum Advanced II NXT Quarterly Meeting Saturday, August 11 Monday-Friday, August 6– 10 Monday, September 17, 12:30 p.m. 1– 4 p.m. (last start time at 3 p.m.) Exhibit: Bold Patterns, Bright 8:30– 11:30 a.m. Colors: Graphic Pennsylvania Exhibit: The Apron Chronicles: Annual Beer Event: Quilts, 1850-1915 Lego™ Robotics A Patchwork of American A World of Beer Through July 29 Workshop-Intermediate Recollections Friday, August 17 – 7-10 p.m. Monday-Friday,Sold August Out 6-10 October 6 – January 13 Exhibit: The Hunt for Treasure! Fonthill Park Walk 12:30– 3:30 p.m Through September 21 Cocktails at the Castle Saturday, September 22 Caring for Family Treasures: Friday, October 12 1 p.m. Treasure! in Family History: A Preservation Workshop A Beginning Genealogy Workshop Mercer By Moonlight Tours A Fashionable Feast Saturday, August 11, 1– 3 p.m. Sunday, July 15 Friday, October 26 with Mr. Mercer 1–5 p.m. Lego™ Robotics Workshop- 7 p.m. & 8 p.m. Saturday, November 10 & Saturday, Advanced III NXT– Quest Friends of BCHS November 24 Lego™ Robotics Workshop-Basics Monday-Friday, August 13–17 5:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, July 16-20 Quarterly Meeting Sold Out 8:30– 11:30 a.m. 8:30-11:30 a.m. Monday, November 19, 12:30 p.m. Behind the Scenes Tours Lego™ Robotics Workshop– Basics Exhibit: Under the Tree: Saturday, October 27 & Saturday, Lego™ Robotics Monday-Friday, August 13–17 November 3 Workshop-Intermediate Sold Out A Century of Holiday Toys 12:30-3:30 p.m. 6:30 – 9 p.m. Monday-Friday, July 16-20 December 1– January 31 12:30– 3:30 p.m. Stories in the Mercer Park Mercer Museum Winter Wonderland Wednesday, August 15, Holiday Decorations at Fonthill Treasure! in Family Stories: Holiday Open House Noon – 1 p.m. December 1– December 31 A Folklore Workshop Tuesday, December 11 Saturday, July 21, 1– 4 p.m. A Town Full of Treasures: 7-9 p.m. Holiday Festivities for the Family Doylestown Family Walking Tour Sunday, December 9 Lego™ Robotics Workshop–Basics Saturday, August 25 – 6 p.m. & 8 p.m. Programs at Fonthill Noon – 4 p.m. Monday-Friday,Sold July Out 23– 27 8:30– 11:30 a.m. Exhibit: Stitches in Time: Bucks Archaeology Camp Fonthill Holiday Lights Meander County Needlework Samplers Monday – Friday Saturday, December 15 Lego™ Robotics Workshop– September 8 – November 15 July 23 – 27, 9 a.m. – Noon 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. Advanced I RCX (last start time at 8:30 p.m.) Monday-Friday, July 23– 27 The Hunt for Treasure! Medieval Camp 8:30– 11:30 a.m. Appraisal Day Event Monday – Friday Candlelight Holiday Tours Saturday, September 15, 10 – 2 p.m. August 6 –10, 9 a.m. – Noon Saturday, December 29 Stories in the Mercer Park 6:30-9 p.m. Wednesday, July 25, noon– 1 p.m. General Information Check out our new website at www.mercermuseum.org National History Day Mercer Museum & Museum Shop 84 South Pine Street, Doylestown, PA 18901-4930 Volunteer Needed! PHONE: 215-345-0210 FAX: 215-230-0823 HOURS: Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. The Education Department of the Mercer Museum & Library is in need of Sunday, noon–5 p.m. a National History Day Volunteer to assist with the planning, preparation, and Also at the Mercer Museum: Research Library implementation of our Bucks and Montgomery Counties’ Regional History HOURS: Tuesday-Thursday, 1–5 p.m. Day competition. The Mercer Museum coordinates the regional competition Friday & Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. which hosts over 350 students each year. History Day is a competition where Fonthill Castle students from area schools research and create projects in the forms of exhibits, East Court Street & Route 313, websites, documentaries, historical papers, and performances based on an Doylestown, PA 18901-4930 PHONE: 215-348-9461 FAX: 215-348-9462 annual theme. The theme for 2013 is Turning Points in History. An event of HOURS: Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. this size needs intense organization so help is essential! This position Sunday, noon–5 p.m. would include assisting with History Day mailings, correspondence, judge (Guided tours only; reservations suggested) recruitment, competition preparation, and assisting on the day of the competi- Members receive unlimited free admission to tion at Ursinus College in March. This position requires three hours per week Mercer Museum and Library & Fonthill Castle. from September through November and five hours per week from January to Penny Lots February. The hours through March and April will vary as needed. If you are Gayle Shupack, Editor Molly Lowell, Associate Editor interested in working with students and have a love for history education, please contact Melissa Jay, Coordinator of Education, at 215-345-0120, ext. 125 or at Penny Lots is a benefit of membership. Permission must be obtained to reprint any material. [email protected]. For more information about National History The Mercer Museum and Library & Fonthill Castle are Day please visit www.nhd.org. ■ administered by the Bucks County Historical Society.

15 Accredited by the NON-PROFIT American Association of Museums U.S. POSTAGE PAID DOYLESTOWN, PA 84 S. Pine Street PERMIT NO. 274 Doylestown, PA 18901

View online tours of the castles on the newly revised website at www.mercermuseum.org or follow us on Facebook & Twitter.

New Mercer Exhibits Plan your Holiday Party in Our New Spaces www.mercermuseum.org/visit-us/facility-use.org

Through September 21 Organized by NRG! Exhibits.

Bold Patterns, Bright Colors: Graphic Pennsylvania Quilts; 1850-1915 through July 29

Members visit Mercer Museum & Fonthill Castle Totaro Jeffrey by Photo for FREE all year long! Fonthill Castle celebrating 100 years in 2012