What: Fonthill Castle
Where: 525 E. Court St.
Doylestown, PA
Who: Recommended for Ages 5 and Up
Fonthill Castle was the home of Henry Chapman Mercer, an archaeologist and tile maker who lived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The castle represents an early example of poured-in-place concrete, a technique in which concrete is poured directly into molds to create structural elements including floors, walls, decorative elements, and more. The home is a showplace for Mercer's business, not only in the building itself but also in the built-in furniture and various examples of tiling located throughout the space.
The home is quite large. There are 44 rooms and 200 windows. It is also full of numerous twists and turns, narrow corridors, and many staircases, making it unsuitable for anyone with mobility issues. It is also full of objects and artifacts that Henry Mercer collected on his travels making it unsuitable for young children with grabby hands. There are also numerous books, as Mercer was an avid reader.
If you want to visit this fascinating location, access is only available by guided tour. The tour takes approximately 1 hour. Basic tours are available Tuesday through Sunday, and advance reservations are recommended. Special tours, including a Behind the Scenes Tour, and other events are periodically held at the castle. The former is a more extensive tour that goes beyond the basic tour. There are also online exhibits for those unable to visit in person.
And that's our view. For more information or to register for a tour, visit www.mercermuseum.org/visit/fonthill-castle
Tune in tomorrow for Theater Thursday.
All pictures used in this post are our own. Any concerns regarding image usage can be addressed here.
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