One Of America's Most Unique Museums Is An Eclectic, Quirky And Interactive Pennsylvania Castle

There are several castles that dot the Pennsylvania landscape. These royal structures serve a range of purposes, from Stokesay Castle, where weddings and other special events take place, to Buhl Mansion, which has been converted into a luxurious guesthouse and spa. While the structures are monuments to key periods in United States' history, harkening as far back as the Industrial Revolution and the burgeoning years of the nation's independence, none quite capture the exciting nature of America's past like the Mercer Museum and Fonthill Castle in Doylestown, Pennsylvania.

Completed in 1916, the grand six-story structure is filled to the brim with artifacts of everyday life from the pre-industrial age. Every corner of this unique museum is stacked wall-to-wall with over 40,000 historic treasures including fascinating objects like tools for an apothecary, equipment for surveying and navigation, and weaponry for hunting and defense. The museum takes 'stepping into the past' literally, as it has also recreated entire rooms that you can peruse, such as its fully stocked kitchen exhibit and an 1800s general store stocked with a variety of authentic store wares. The castle is only a 45-minute drive north of Philadelphia and a one-of-a-kind historic Pennsylvania museum with a massive collection that will make you "ooh" and "aah" at every turn.

The museum also features unique objects from various crafts, trades, and industries. As you step into the main hall of the museum on the first floor, make sure to look up where you will see a real-life whaling boat and a man-powered fire engine hung from the rafters. Punch and Judy puppets also reside at the museum, perhaps the quirkiest items on site.

When historian and archaeologist Henry Chapman Mercer built the museum, his curiosity was sparked from a fascination with historic objects, which he believed told humble stories that divulged deeper meanings and uncovered the heart of a particular tale. In keeping with Mercer's vision to preserve meaningful stories, the museum is offering $25 tours of its The Doan Gang: Outlaws of the Revolution exhibition. This intriguing series tells the story of a Bucks County gang of loyalist brothers, their rumored hideouts, famed hangouts, and cloak and dagger operations.

At $30 for adults and $10 for youth, you can also enjoy an evening tour of Fonthill Castle. It's hardly an under-the-radar Pennsylvania museum, as each year more than 30,000 visitors flock to see Mercer's beautiful, high-quality tiles that adorn the manor's walls. The more than 1,000 prints rival another unique Pennsylvania arts garden, depicting iconic scenes from American life and nature, recognizable by their signature colors including, blue, green, and lilac. 

Approaching the castle for an evening tour also provides a chance to witness the National Historic Landmark, with its eclectic mix of architectural styles, in the light of the setting sun. Tickets are non-refundable and it is recommended to purchase them in advance. Fonthill Castle is just a 5-minute drive from the Mercer Museum on E. Court Street.

The Mercer Museum and Fonthill Castle have timed-entry, starting at 10 a.m. and ending at 5 p.m., from Tuesday to Sunday. General admission tickets are $20 but are discounted for students at $15 and $17 for seniors. While the ground floor of the museum is fully accessible and climate-controlled, the castle section of the museum offers only partial accessibility due to narrow passageways, and rooms may experience fluctuations depending on what the weather is like outside.

If you want to dive even deeper into the world of Henry Mercer, you can partake in an immersive tour at The Moravian Potter and Tile Works, which keeps the legacy of his Moravian tiles alive. There you can watch expert craftspeople as they shape Mercer tiles from Bucks County clay on daily tours (except Monday) for $15. If just watching doesn't satisfy your curiosity, you can also make your own 3-by-3 inch tile using the same traditional methods during an hour-long guided session for $75. Wonderful gifts are also available for purchase including a candle holder, a mosaic coloring book, and an assortment of glazed tiles featuring different land animals. The museum is on the same grounds as FontHill Castle, with an entry point on Swamp Road.