Leave Moravian Tile Works With Us: Bucks Co. Historical Society

DOYLESTOWN, PA — The fate of a treasured historical museum in Doylestown Township hangs in the balance as Bucks County officials decide what to do with the national landmark.

The Moravian Pottery and Tile Works Museum is currently under the ownership of Bucks County, which is losing about half a million dollars annually trying to run it. In light of that fact, county commissioners have plans to lease out the property to a nonprofit board run by tile artist Katia McGuirk for the next 30 years, The Intelligencer reports.

Handmade tiles are still produced at the museum, which was built by famed archaeologist and former Doylestown resident Henry Chapman Mercer, who passed away in 1930.

In response to the county's plans, the Bucks County Historical Society has issued a statement urging commissioners to leave the museum with them.

"It is our position that the Tile Works would be best served operating under the umbrella of the BCHS, a professionally-staffed organization that is experienced and eminently capable of managing historic sites and museum collections," the group said in a statement.

The BCHS, which is already responsible for operating the Mercer Museum and Fonthill Castle, said bringing the Tile Works under their purview would enable better coordination of programming, preservation and public access.

"Such an arrangement would also reunite all three of Henry Mercer’s National Landmark buildings for the first time since Mercer’s death in 1930. And, as a result, such an arrangement would best serve the people of Doylestown and Bucks County, who are stakeholders in making these three sites nationally-and internationally-prominent attractions," the statement read.

Any changes to management of the museum must be approved by the Bucks County Board of Commissioners. Their next scheduled meeting is at 10 a.m. on April 7 and will be streamed live on their Facebook page and archived on their website and YouTube channel for later viewing.

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