Thinking Green
Green Roofs: A Long History
Green roof technology is not new. As far back as the 4th century, ancient writings mention the Hanging Gardens of Babylon in the Middle East. Sod and thatch roofs have also been used in Europe for centuries. An improvement to the sod houses of old, the Mercer Museum's green roof completed in 2011, incorporates the best of the old with the latest in green roof design.
What is a Green Roof?
Today's green roofs are specially constructed waterproof structures reinforced to hold planting medium and plants. These structures not only help to maintain inside temperatures but also help to reduce water pollution. Rain that would normally run into storm drains gets absorbed by the plants, and returned to the atmosphere keeping the water cycle in balance.
The Mercer Goes Green
When the Mercer Museum built its new addition in 2011, the roof of the building was specially designed to hold a variety of sedums, a plant family which can tolerate harsh roof conditions.
Under the Roof
What lies inside this unique building?
The Mercer Museum houses a vast collection of artifacts related to everyday life in pre-industrial America as well as Bucks County history. Henry Mercer's unique display methods force visitors to look at familiar, everyday objects in
this page online
[Image captions, from left to right, read]
• Mercer Museum Central Court
• Cross Section of a Green Roof
• Close-up of Sedums in Bloom on a Green Roof in Philadelphia
Erected by Mercer Museum, Borough of Doylestown, Bucks County Conservation District, and PA Dept of Environmental Protection.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Man-Made Features. A significant historical year for this entry is 2011.
Location. 40° 18.518′ N, 75° 7.686′ W. Marker is in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, in Bucks County. Marker is at the intersection of Ashland Street and Donaldson Street, on the right when traveling east on Ashland Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Doylestown PA 18901, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Mercer Museum (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Site (about 400 feet away); The Museum (about 400 feet away); The Expansion (about 400 feet away); Corporate Business Partner Entrance Courtyard and W.B.U.X. Sculpture Garden (about 400 feet away); Bucks County Jail (about 500 feet away); Last Hanging (about 500 feet away); Doylestown Agricultural Works (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Doylestown.
Also see . . .
1. Green Roofs on Historic Buildings (National Park Service). (Submitted on April 10, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. A History and Definition of Green Roof Technology with Recommendations for Future Research. (Submitted on April 10, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. Mercer Museum, Doylestown PA. (Submitted on April 10, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 10, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 294 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 10, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
