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Friends of BCHS

Friends of the Bucks County Historical Society

The Friends of the Bucks County Historical Society (BCHS) is a group of community members with a shared interest in history, culture, and the arts.  Formerly known as the Women’s Committee, the group was founded on May 11, 1967, as a volunteer auxiliary group with a commitment and dedication to support the mission of the Mercer Museum and Library & Fonthill Castle. The group officially changed its name to the Friends of the Bucks County Historical Society to better reflect its growing membership.

The Friends of BCHS provide educational programs four times a year at no charge to the public.  Presentations have focused on topics of local and national interest, as well as many visits from first-person interpreters.  Beyond programs, the Friends of BCHS have sponsored a variety of fundraising events over the years, including bus trips, masquerade balls, card parties, tavern nights, musical performances and more.

For additional information or to join the Friends of the BCHS, call Eileen Shapiro, Development Coordinator, at (215) 345-0210 ext. 132.

2021 Programs

Previous Programs:

Friends of BCHS Fall Program

Tuesday Mourning:

A Personal Account of the Terrorist Attack on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.

Mercer Museum (84 S. Pine Street, Doylestown)
Learning Center
 
Monday, September 20, 2021
Two sessions available
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Free – Advanced Registration Required
 
To commemorate the 20th anniversary of 9/11, Lisa Kristin Soren, a member of the Friends of BCHS, will weave a narrative describing events that led up to the terrorist attack, what unfolded on the morning of September 11, 2001, and the aftermath from her personal experience. 
 
At the time, Ms. Soren was employed by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and with the Office of Policy and Planning. Following the attack, she served as the Office’s staff liaison with the Port Authority’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM). 
 
To mark the 20th anniversary of that infamous day, we are all reflecting on what we experienced individually, as a community, and as a nation. The presentation will allow time for personal reflections. 
 
This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Bucks County Historical Society and is open to the public free of charge. All donations received support future programs.

Friends of BCHS Quarterly Meeting
Virtual Lecture: The Private Henry Mercer

This multimedia presentation by BCHS Vice President of Collections and Interpretation Cory Amsler touches on some of the lesser-known aspects of Henry Mercer’s daily life at Fonthill Castle – his intimate and personal relationships, his interactions with household staff, his political and social positions, and his private concerns and passions.

Click here to view this program on YouTube. 

Check back for more programs.

Friends of BCHS Bylaws

At their March 2021 board meeting, the Executive Board of the Friends of the Bucks County Historical Society voted to recommend revisions to the group’s bylaws. Members of the Friends of BCHS may review the bylaws prior to a vote to approve them at the May Quarterly Meeting.
 
Admission Fees for Mercer Museum Admission Fees for Fonthill Castle

ROLLO'S FACTS

In addition to installing his own Arts and Crafts tiles in Fonthill, Henry Mercer incorporated Persian, Chinese, Spanish and Dutch tiles.
Rollo's Fact 4
WHO'S ROLLO?

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Please note that Fonthill Castle will close early on Saturday, October 23, 2021. The last tour will take place at 1:30 p.m. Please see our mask recommendations here.
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