Mercer Museum

Address:	84 S Pine St, Doylestown, PA 18901, USA
Phone:	+1 215-345-0210
Site:	mercermuseum.org
Rating:	4.6
Working:	10AM–5PM 10AM–5PM 10AM–5PM 10AM–5PM 10AM–5PM 10AM–5PM 12–5PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 26

Scott Potter

This museum is one of a kind! It is a giant multi-story building built more than a hundred years ago. It is made of poured concrete! Henry Mercer collected amazing apparatus of work implements that had been used through the centuries that he saw were disappearing from use in the eighteen-hundreds. When his collection got giant he decided to make a museum to have them all displayed in so people would forever be able to see what people did all their work with in the future. He was very worried about fire so he made the entire museum with no lighting and lots of windows. The wole thing is out of poured concrete. Later when electricity came they wired the building. You can spend most of the day here checking out the building and the absolutely amazing collection and its significance. This is a must-see tour if you are anywhere near it and you have a interest in history at all.

Annette Seidenglanz

Self-tour Henry Mercers collection of pre Industrial technology on 9 floors in another of his concrete "castles". Be prepared for a convoluted warren of display rooms linked by small stairways up to the very top. Astonished by the enormous open atrium that opens up to the top floor ceiling where large conveyances like a whale boat and a wooden wagon hang from hooks on the ceiling and walls. There is an elevator that can accommodate about 4 people which can be a help when you are ready to leave or want to see a particular exhibit. Best in show: a room full of hundreds of the cast metal plates from small heating stoves that served as Mercers inspiration for his tile narratives. Travelling exhibits in a first floor gallery and a small shop. Not recommended for elderly, disabled or energetic young children.

A Private User

This museum has a truly remarkable collection of artisans tools from the late 19th and early 20th centuries housed in an equally remarkable building (one of the earliest examples of reinforced concrete construction). Its a trip in a time machine. It is a world without antibiotics, electronics or electricity, automobiles, airplanes, or plastic. You can almost hear John Phillips Sousa striking up the band while fine ladies promenade in their floor length dresses and feathered hats. Must see.

Ling Huang

The concrete structure made it strong and long lasting. There were colonial tools, wagons, bicycles, boats, furnitures and other artifacts hanging on every wall, ceiling and by the railings. A lot of them are organized by usage in packed rooms. It would be better to see more detailed intro with a QR code scan.It looked and felt like a magical place inside. There is even a gallows on the 7th floor.

Joe Patitucci

I dont think there is another place like this in the world. Mercers collection of early American industrys tools fills the 7 story structure that he designed and built of concrete. An elevator takes you to the top floor and you walk down, a gallery at each level circling the central space which contains complete boats, a stage coach and hundreds of examples of tradeworkers tools and equipment.

Jesse Mee

A very unique museum, and certainly a worthwhile place to visit. It is fun to get a look into the life of earlier Americans. My favorite thing about the place is probably the building itself, there are so many nooks and crannies to explore with interesting and odd architecture. The sections made for kids are pretty poorly done, but otherwise its a nice museum.

Bob Steck

Very cool collection of things from "days gone by". Enjoy trying to figure out how some of these things were used in some cases and reminiscing in other cases. If you are over 60, you may recognize many of the things displayed, if you are younger than 60 you may learn a lot about how far we have come with our every day living.

Ray Rice

An incredible in depth look at pre industrial America, especially the early 1800s. The six story castle was built specifically to showcase this era in American history by Henry Mercer, and its unique layout provides a sense of adventure that even my younger children (3 and 4) were interested in exploring.

Brad Miller

Great way to spend a couple hours looking at the tools that were once used by each trade. They have each trade separated into different rooms, then all the tools used for that specific trade. The building itself was probably my favorite as its unique and maze like towards the top.

tom slab

its an interesting place to go to just dont go on a hot day. a nice boring rainy day in the summer when its not that hot and yer dont mind wasting a few bucks. I never knew there were that many professions in the old days. so many exhibits feels like you can walk it for 3 hours.

TJ Donahue

Took my son here specifically for the LEGO Castles exhibition and had time to go wander through the rest if the museum. He had a blast making his way around and I was amazed by the vast collection of items they had as well as the architecture of the museum itself.

Hyewon Lim

Unfortunately my visit to the town was during a holiday week, so I didnt get to enjoy the inside. However the entire town seemed to be very relaxing and historical and I love to come back for the real experience next time!

Andrew Springer

One of the coolest places in Doylestown. The collection is frequently switched out to show more of the stuff Mr. Mercer collected over his lifetime. The story of this place and the collection is fascinating.

Bill Gaboda

The Mercer Museum is and architectural marvel, created entirely of fast concrete and packed with all the ephemera of past ages. Its historical and fascinating, like time travel to the past.

Alex Villani

Amazing collection! A solid snap shot of turn of the century life! Dont forget to climb to the top to see the gallows! Really interesting stuff in there; a must for any history buff!

Pam LaFond

We had a wonderful day. So much history that is displayed perfectly. I also enjoyed the 3 hours we spent in the library looking for information on my gggrandfather and his family.

Aaron Bos-Wahl

Wow, fascinating place! Ive never seen anything quite like it. Well worth the admission price. Blake was an excellent tour guide with a trove of history to share. Beautiful!

Jeff Yablon

A very cool collection of stuff. SERIOUSLY, very cool. However, a rotten "museum". Unhelpful staff, and guidance/documentation that is hard to find when it exists at all.

Dan Cea

They beautiful castle is as much as an exhibit as the exhibits inside it. Walk through the narrow hallways and winding staircases to find the next hidden treasure.

Philip Frank

The Mercer Museums poured concrete structure is as interesting as the eclectic collection of tools housed within. Definitely worth a visit to Doylestown.

Stacie Williamson

This is a marvelous place..... a great chapter in American history. So happy I stopped here. Doylestown had fabulous eateries & shops. A perfect day.

Jon Kollmar

Really cool museum in an interesting yet eccentric structure. Its a history lesson of how things were done. Tools, transportation, implements etc.

Nadine Knospe

I absolutely love this place. I am planning another trip there because of all the things that is there!! When you go dont forget to look up!!

Benjamin Kemp

Its worth the visit just to wander around the building. An impressive collection of stuff. Lots and lots of stuff.

Lisa Barwise

Loved this experience!I have lived in the area for 24 years, and cant believe what I was missing all of that time.

J Ian Galiyano

A fantastic place fill with unique knick knacks from a local collector in the 19th century. Great for families.