Tuesday, April 30, 2019

Font Hill Castle

It was the home of Henry Mercer, a wealthy and quirky guy from Doylestown, Pennsylvania (his childless aunt left him eight million in today's dollars).  Henry built his home out of poured concrete and decorated it lavishly with the clay tiles he designed and sold.
Font Hill Castle
 I oohed and aahed through the whole castle and just couldn't stop taking photos.  You're the lucky (or unlucky [it's for you to decide]) recipient, Viewer Dear (and I might point out that the choice is totally yours--whether to accept the title of "recipient"[aka Viewer Dear])!

Ergo, nothing unlucky* about it!
Home of Henry Mercer

You have only to recall, Viewer Dear, that the man who lived in this castle was the one who later built the seven-story museum that HM and I toured yesterday.  Here are some final clips from the top floor just to refresh your memory:


















And now we are at Henry's castle.  In this building our only option is a guided tour (unlike the self-guided tour of the museum) and our small group of about ten people is introduced to the guide.

Questions are welcomed! She assures us; though the HM is standing behind me, I can see the grimace on his face, as he contemplates my excess of curiosity.


No more comments from me, Viewer Dear.  You are setting out on a mini-guided-tour without the shuffling along in person, climbing the narrow winding stairways, and listening to everything the long-winded guide had to tell us about Henry Mercer and his day (though I hung on most every word, the HM was ready to call for an escort out of the place long before she was finished!)











If you choose, Dear Viewer, to scan the post, skip the clips, skim the details,
here are a few spots in the castle for your quick perusal:

Henry put Tiles Everywhere
Tiles Everywhere, Didn't I say?
Tile-Covered Walls
Tile-covered Ceilings
Entering the Library, there stood Henry himself!  Though I was pleased and excited to see him, he seemed, Viewer Dear, very indifferent to my presence.

Henry Installed Two Highly Modern Bathrooms
Henry's Deathbed Pharmaceuticals


Thus ends this tour, Dear Viewer.
Tomorrow we will take a look at the tile manufacturing business.
Come along if you wish.
****************

*Only unlucky in that you may wish to be right there, traipsing along on the tour,
seeing everything close up, hearing every word  (I do recommend a visit in person).

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