Bucks Commissioners To Decide Fate Of Moravian Tile Works

DOYLESTOWN, PA — Local stakeholders continue to express concern regarding the fate of the Moravian Pottery and Tile Works, a working history museum and national landmark in Doylestown Township.

Bucks County commissioners are scheduled to vote Wednesday on a 30-year contract with The TileWorks of Bucks County, a nonprofit corporation formed "specifically for the purpose of continuing the mission of the museum," according to Executive Director Katia McGuirk, who said the county will continue to own the entire facility and all of its historical artifacts.

"The County will exercise robust oversight at all times, and it will appoint one of the trustees of the nonprofit organization,"McGuirk said in a statement. "Moreover, the nonprofit plans to retain two of the long-time employees of the museum in order to maintain continuity of operations. The nonprofit will have a license to operate the museum consistent with its historical purposes and as a National Historic Landmark."

The museum will remain open for tours, classes and workshops, and historic tiles will still be made in the arts and crafts tradition, she added.

Running the museum reportedly costs the county about $500,000 a year, which likely serves as the commissioners' primary motivation for finding an outside group to manage the center. Along with Fonthill Castle and the Mercer Museum, the historic site is one of three concrete structures built by archaeologist Henry Chapman Mercer in Doylestown.

While county officials have endorsed McGuirk's organization, the Bucks County Historical Society has voiced objections to the agreement, arguing that the museum would be better served under its nonprofit umbrella, which is already responsible for running the Mercer Museum and Fonthill Castle.

Doylestown Mayor Ron Strouse issued a statement last week asking the commissioners to "give careful consideration" before making a final decision on the the future of the Tile Works.

"It is difficult to understand how a successful plan for the long-term future of the Tile Works can be made without including the Bucks County Historical Society in that planning and execution," Strouse said. "They bring to the table the professional credentials, accreditation of the American Alliance of Museums, and affiliation with the Smithsonian Museum. They are the professional interpreters of the Henry Mercer legacy. They have the history of breathing life into historic institutions, and making them appealing and attractive, and destinations for today's residents and visitors alike."

The commissioners' meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday. Click here for the agenda. The meeting will be live streamed on the Bucks County Government Facebook page and archived for later viewing.

Be the first to know what's happening in your town and area. Sign up to get Patch emails and don't miss a minute of local and state news: https://patch.com/subscrib