Philadelphia, PA - The Moravian Pottery & Tile Works – This working history museum in Bucks County welcomes visitors to watch the production of decorative tiles using methods employed by Henry Mercer’s crew beginning in 1898. A video and self-guided tour cost $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, and $3 for children ages 7 to 17. 130 E. Swamp Road, Doylestown, (215) 348-6098, www.buckscounty.org/mptw
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When Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter traveled to The Vatican to visit Pope Francis in 2014, he presented the pontiff with a gift: a set of handcrafted Mercer tiles from the Moravian Pottery and Tile Works in Doylestown.
The mayor is one of many who’ve discovered the inimitable work done at this “working history” museum. Handmade tiles are still produced in a manner similar to that developed by the pottery’s founder and builder, Henry Chapman Mercer, and reproductions are done using Mercer’s original molds and clay that’s obtained locally.
A National Historic Landmark, tours of the site are offered every half-hour and consist of a brief video followed by a self-guided walk through the facility. Visitors will see original installations, various exhibitions, and selected aspects of current tile production.
Finally, don’t miss May’s Moravian Pottery and Tile Works Festival, which brings 50 artists, dealers, and collectors of handmade tiles to the living history plant.