Current and Upcoming Exhibits
Turning Points: Civil War, 1863-1864
Now Through August 25
One hundred and fifty years ago, America was deeply divided and embroiled in a Civil War. Though the conflict pitted North against South, even communities above the Mason Dixon Line were not unified in their outlook on the Civil War and its aims. The Mercer's new exhibit examines how local citizens in Bucks County and the nearby Delware Valley navigated the war's most pivotal years.
The 350 square foot exhibit contains more than 300 artifacts, documents and images from the Mercer's collection that tell the story of citizens like Benjamin "Big Ben" Jones, a freedom-seeking former slave who settled in Bucks County. Visitors can participate in the exhibit by casting a vote in the 1864 Lincoln-McClellan election, exploring a camp tent to see how soldiers lived, and trying on period reproduction clothing. Turning Points is included with Museum admission.
Download Turning Points Brochure
Join us for the following Civil War Related Programs. For more information, visit
our Calendar of Events
Special Presentation: Medical Men and Women of the Civil War
Saturday, April 27, 2 pm
Spin the draft lottery wheel and find out the fate of a soldier who served in the Civil War.
"We are Coming Father Abraham:" Abraham Lincoln and the Songs of the Civil War
Sunday, April 28, 2 pm
Ladies' Night Out-North Meets South
Friday, May 3, 7-10 pm
Turning Points Lecture Series: "Come in Out of the Draft!" Military Conscription and the Civil War Draft RiotsLadies Night Out-North Meets South
Sunday, May 5, 2 pm
Turning Points Lecture Series: Women in the Civil War
Sunday, May 19, 2 pm
Make and Take Craft Activity: Civil War Dominoes & Playing Cards
Sunday, June 9, 1-4 pm
Turning Points Lecture Series: Copperheads and Black Republicans: The Election of 1864
Sunday, June 9, 2 pm
Learn about the variety of roles women played during the Civil War.
Turning Points Lecture Series: Civilians in the Civil War – From Homefront to Warfront
Sunday, June 23, 2 pm
Turning Points Lecture Series: African Americans in the Civil War – The Path to Freedom
Sunday, July 14, 2 pm
Turning Points Lecture Series: Dark Tales – Civil War Prisons and Prisoners
Sunday, July 21, 2 pm
Genealogy Workshop: Researching Your Civil War Ancestor
Sunday, July 28, 1-4 pm
Turning points Lecture Series: Gettysburg-Aftermath and Commemoration
Sunday, August 4, 2 pm
Civil War Apprraisal Day
Saturday, August 10, 10 am-2 pm
Civil War Doylestown Walking Tour
Friday, August 23, 5:30 pm & 7 pm
We are extremely greateful to the following sponsors who have provided vital funding to make this extraordianry exhibition and programming possible.
County of Bucks, Office of Commissioners
Penn Color, Inc.
Mission Appeal Donors-2012 Coctails at the Castle Gala
Adopt an Artifact Campaign Contributors
The First Niagara Foundation
David and Dorree Wickman
Friends of the Bucks County Historical Society
The Mystery of the Mayan Medallion
September 21, 2013 – January 12, 2014
Mercer Museum
An archaeological team has mysteriously disappeared from a dig site in Palenque, Mexico! They had been investigating a long-standing rumor that a priceless jade medallion is buried in the temple there. However, something horrifying has scared them off. Luckily, in their haste to escape, they managed to leave behind a video with clues and a warning to all who come after. Now, young archeologists must uncover the mystery of the dig site and find the priceless treasure. The Mystery of the Mayan Medallion invites families and school groups to learn more about the sophisticated Maya civilization, recognized for its advanced writing and mathematical systems, and knowledge of astronomy. In this immersive exhibit, visitors translate glyphs, discover which rainforest animals are poisonous, learn how the Mayans recorded dates, make rubbings from a sarcophagus, and interpret a “battle” mural. Exhibit components include archeology, biology and astro-mathematics field stations, an observatory and a tomb. The Mystery of the Mayan Medallion has been developed by the Arkansas Discovery Network, a statewide museum partnership operated by the Museum of Discovery, Little Rock, Arkansas. The Arkansas Discovery Network was established through a grant from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation.
Under the Tree: A Century of Holiday Trees and Toys
November 23-January 4, 2014
An annual museum tradition that captures the excitement of Christmas from a child’s point of view. Amidst trees decorated to the tastes of earlier eras, from the 1860s to the 1960s, visitors discover an array of toys and games like those that once delighted children on Christmas mornings. Exhibit features decorations and toys from the Mercer Museum and major private collections, with new objects on view each year.