Fonthill - Doylestown, Pennsylvania - mansion built by archaeologist Henry Chapman Mercer

Located in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Fonthill is a 44 room concrete mansion build by millionaire businessman and archaeologist, Henry Chapman Mercer. Mercer began construction of the castle in 1908, when he was 51 years old, and completed construction in 1812. It was meant to be both his home and a showplace for both his own tiles and those he had collected over the years. The elaborate structure is now operated as a museum by the Bucks County Historical Society.

Henry Chapman Mercer, the architect and builder of Fonthill, was one of the founding members of the Bucks County Historical Society. Born in Bucks County and educated at Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania, Mercer acquired a degree in law and passed the bar in Pennsylvania, but never practiced law. Instead, he followed his interest in pre-historic artifacts into a career as an archaeologist. While he participated in archaeological digs throughout the world, he developed a special fascination for pre-Industrial Age American artifacts, and especially the examples of Pennsylvania pottery that he found. He used the themes and styles from that pottery in creating architectural tiles, known as Moravian tiles, which became famous throughout the world.

Fonthill and its accompanying estate consist of the concrete mansion, the Mercer Museum and the Moravian Tile Factory. Known as one of the fathers of the Arts and Crafts movements in American architecture, Mercer always intended that his home would be a showplace for his tile works, and that the Mercer Museum would be a showplace for the artifacts he had collected over the years.

One of the most interesting facts about the Fonthill Estate is that, unlike so many of his wealthy contemporaries, Mercer actually participated in the building of Fonthill and its attendant buildings, working with a small group of artisans and builders. He chose to work with reinforced concrete because of its flexibility and its durability, and the Fonthill buildings stand as testament that concrete can be beautiful.

Mercer occupied Fonthill until his death in 1930, at which time it was taken over by the Mercer/Fonthill Trust. In 1976, the Bucks County Historical Society took over administration of Fonthill and the Mercer Museum. Fonthill was accredited as a museum by the American Association of Museums in 1992, and achieved the status of National Historic Landmark in 1985.

The Bucks County Historical Society operates and manages a number of programs at Fonthill, including scheduled tours of the estate and the tower itself, Behind the Scenes tours for adults, craft demonstrations and talks on various aspects of American folk culture and architecture. Fonthill also offers programs for youth, children and families, as well as educational programs for people of all ages. The activities at Fontill include an annual Folk Festival that features contemporary artisans and performers. Each winter, the estate offers Winter Wonderland tours of the estate decorated for the holidays and a free Holiday Open House with refreshments and entertainment.

Fonthill is open daily year round with the exception of Christmas and New Years Day for guided tours only. Admissions range from $4 for students to $10 for an adult ticket, and there is special pricing available for groups. For more information about Fonthill, contact the facility at 215-348-9461.