Henry Chapman Mercer
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Henry Chapman Mercer (b. June 24, 1856, Doylestown, Pennsylvania - d. 1930, Bucks County, Pennsylvania).
The Bucks County Historical Society now owns Fonthill, which is open to the public, as is the Mercer Museum. The Moravian Pottery and Tile Works is owned and operated by the Bucks County Department of Parks & Recreation. These three buildings make up "the Mercer Mile". All three buildings were designed and constructed by Henry Mercer in the early part of the 20th century.
Henry Mercer is well known for his research and books about ancient tool making, his ceramic tile creations, and his engineering and architecture. Major accomplishments included the assembly of the collection of early American tools now housed in the Mercer Museum, and for his tile work which makes up the floor of the Pennsylvania State Capitol Building in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and many other noteworthy buildings and houses.
Henry Ford stated that the Mercer museum was the only museum worth visiting in the US, and the Mercer Museum was apparently Henry Ford's inspiration for his own museum, The Henry Ford, located in Dearborn, Michigan.
Henry Mercer wrote extensively on his interests, which included Archeology, Early tool making, German stove plates, and ceramics.
He died in 1930 at Fonthill, the house he designed and constructed from reinforced concrete in 1908-1912.
[edit] Publications by Henry Mercer
- The Bible in Iron
- The Lenape Stone
- Ancient Carpenters tools
- Guidebook To The Tiled Pavement In The Pennsylvania State Capitol
- The Hill-caves of Yucatan
Many books and articles have been written about Henry Mercer and his work:
[edit] Publications about Henry Mercer
- Henry Chapman Mercer and the Moravian Pottery and Tile Works by Cleota Reed
- Design and Construction Techniques of an American Vernacular Architect: The Work of Dr. Henry Chapman Mercer 1982 MIT Master of Architecture Thesis by Kurt Eichenberger
