Henry Mercer's Buildings

I am finishing up a magazine submission on the intriguing
Henry Chapman Mercer.  

I've shown inside photos of his buildings and tile work previously, 

but his tile work and creative building style extends outdoors as well.

Outside of the Moravian Pottery and Tile Works 

where his handmade tiles are made 

there are interesting kiln stacks. 

They line the roof top.
Each one is a piece of art.

One of the reasons Henry Mercer went into the tile business 

is because he appreciated pre Industrial Revolution hand-made work. 

He didn't like everything matchy-matchy so to speak.

His castle-home, museum, and tile factory all reflect that fact.

I appreciate that about him. 

It makes life so much more interesting. 

It helps to have a very rich aunt support your interests! 

Um, Henry had the rich aunt, not me! 

Below is his castle home, 

designed and built by Henry Mercer. 

And he received no training in architecture or construction. 

He was trained in the law, but never practiced it. 

He built in concrete to prevent his collections of
early Americana from being destroyed by fire.
He really must have been a genius.

Made of Stone

The Mercer Museum 

in Doylestown, PA is built entirely of concrete. 

Henry C. Mercer 

was keenly interested in preventing the loss 

of his collections to fire which made concrete 

his building material of choice. 

The museum is full of wonderful nooks and crannies.
I just LOVE it.

I have spent much time getting to know the late Henry C. Mercer 

in preparation for an article I am writing.  

So you'll be seeing more of his life and collections...

If you'd like to see his Cigar Advertising Collection 

on my other blog, click here. 

Eventually I will have museum photos here. 

But as of this post, I am still working on that. 

Cigar Advertising

Recently, I have been spending a lot of time 

getting Mercerized.... 

that is, learning experiencing the history of Henry C. Mercer (1856-1930.) 

He was quite an amazing man - 

and had the foresight to leave behind a tangible legacy. 

I just LOVE that. 

One of his passions was the collecting of 

pre Industrial Revolution Americana. 

In Doylestown, Bucks County, PA 

there is an entire museum dedicated to his collections. 

(And pinch me...you are permitted to take photos!) 

But today, I am just going to give you a peek 

featuring his Cigar Advertising figures. 

Printer, Mercer Museum