You have supported and been a part of Mercer Museum & Fonthill Castle programs and events, which is why we are reaching out in our time of need.
The Bucks County Historical Society (BCHS) connects the people of our communities with each other through shared history, innovative exhibits, tours, and educational programs that attract more than 75,000 people annually. Your participation helps BCHS care for five historic properties, including the Mercer Museum and Fonthill Castle and grounds. We safeguard 65,650 artifacts, 80,000 items in our archives, and 22,000 research books.
Committed to the safety of our visitors, volunteers and staff, we closed the Mercer Museum & Fonthill Castle and grounds on March 13. We have maintained all of our full and part-time staff, and provided them with remote access to continue doing their jobs.
Our team of professionals has created new ways to keep connected to you and our communities, offering online educational services such as Mercer Museum & Fonthill Castle drawing pages, historical crossword puzzles, video tours of the castles and the collections, research opportunities using our online database, assistance with genealogical research, and community dialogue about best historical books to read and favorite memories of the castles.
We are facing a significant loss of revenue during this crisis – revenue that we need in order to fund our year-round services. Adding to this major strain is the new national and state directive calling for public sites to remain closed through April 30.
Our trustees and staff are working hard to secure local, state and federal relief for which we qualify. We are thankful for our community advisors who have stepped up to guide us through these processes, and provide suggestions to help BCHS.
Now we ask for your support.
Remaining focused on your immediate needs and those of your loved ones is paramount. If there is a chance you can provide a donation, at any level, please consider a gift to help the Bucks County Historical Society. The recently passed CARES Act provides new tax benefits for charitable donations made today and in the weeks and months to come. Learn more about these benefits at aam-us.org/2020/03/27/museums-included-in-economic-relief-legislation/.
We recognize that recovering from this pandemic, and the economic, psychological and physiological toll it has taken, will not be swift or simple. We believe our museums will have a role to play in that recovery – as community centers, as learning places, and as places of comfort, contemplation and beauty. We want to be there for the community, and offer these spaces, as soon as possible once the crisis has passed. Will you consider making a gift today?
