Imagining Yesteryear

In my imagination I could have lived here,
in old times.

But that is what is great about imagining.
I still have my flush toilet and modern day conveniences
in my reality. 

I only have to leave those nice things briefly
while I think about the people and times of yesteryear. 

And like some sort of time travel...
poof, here I am back where I belong. 

Cuddled up on my couch
in a my warm modern day home.

Moravian Pottery and Tile Works
Doylestown PA
Keeping the work of Henry C. Mercer alive.

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.

Moravian Tile Works

Forgive me... 

I am still on my Henry C. Mercer obsession. 

(The man is fascinating.)

This week the focus is on his tiles.  

In his early 50's, Henry Chapman Mercer started producing the tiles 

for which he is known today.
They have been purchased and installed around the world.



His style and designs were inspired by his large collection of
German Stove Plates.
You can see the similarities in the designs.
Below is a sample stove plate.



The tiles were made by hand -
as Mercer was a proponent of the Arts and Crafts Movement.

Today, his Moravian Pottery and Tile Works still exists
in Doylestown, PA and produces the tiles
in the same manner of Henry C. Mercer.






Visiting one of his buildings
is like visiting tile heaven.