The Museum
After a century of use, the antiquated prison was closed on June 18, 1985. That same year the warden's house was placed on the National Register of Historic Buildings and Sites. For many years the Bucks County Council on the Arts (predecessor to the James A. Michener Art Museum) had searched for a place to build a museum, and this historic location seemed to be the perfect setting. In 1987, the Bucks County Commissioners leased the buildings to the Michener Art Museum, a private, non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of Bucks County's artistic legacy. Prison buildings and cells were demolished, but the warden's house and control building were converted to exhibition and office spaces. The Museum was named in honor of the Pulitzer Prize-winning author, who is a Doylestown native, and was opened to the public in September 1988 at a ceremony that was presided over by Mr. Michener and his wife Mari.
Erected by the James A. Michener Art Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Man-Made Features. A significant historical date for this entry is June 18, 1985.
Location. 40° 18.497′ N, 75° 7.594′ W. Marker is in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, in Bucks County. Marker is in the outdoor entrance corridor
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Site (here, next to this marker); The Expansion (here, next to this marker); Corporate Business Partner Entrance Courtyard and W.B.U.X. Sculpture Garden (here, next to this marker); Bucks County Jail (within shouting distance of this marker); The Mercer Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); Last Hanging (within shouting distance of this marker); Thinking Green (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Doylestown Agricultural Works (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Doylestown.
Also see . . . James A. Michener Art Museum History. (Submitted on March 4, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 4, 2018. It was originally submitted on March 4, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 240 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 4, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
