For Mercer, archaeology and history held far more interest than law. He served as Curator of American and Pre-historic Archaeology at the University of Pennsylvania Museum from 1894 to 1897. Mercer possessed an insatiable appetite for knowledge, with past worlds and empires being a favorite topic. His many interests included collecting America’s pre-industrial tools, as well as European artifacts. By the turn of the century, he could be found combing Pennsylvania for Germanic/ Moravian (religious) inspired pottery to add to his personal collection. At that time, many Moravians had settled around the Lancaster and Bethlehem areas of Pennsylvania.

By the turn of the century, he could be found combing Pennsylvania for Germanic/ Moravian (religious) inspired pottery to add to his personal collection. At that time, many Moravians had settled around the Lancaster and Bethlehem areas of Pennsylvania. It was through the pursuit of acquiring pottery that Mercer developed a lifelong passion of architectural ceramic tiles – an art that made him famous as a tile maker extrodiaire.

In 1908, Mercer began building Fonthill, his shadowy, medieval, concrete castle in Doylestown, filling every nook and cranny with his magnificent handmade tiles as well as 1,564 foreign tiles from his collection (including 33 Babylonian tablets embedded and displayed in ceramic). Employing between 8 to 12 laborers, Mercer fashioned Fonthill into a home like none other – one that consists of 44 rooms, (including ten bathrooms and five bedrooms) 32 stairwells, 200 windows, 18 fireplaces, and 21 chimneys and air vents.

Mercer chose concrete for all of his building projects for multiple reasons. He wanted to use a material that was virtually fireproof as well as lending itself to his fanciful use of rounded corners and crevices – rooms flowing from one to another without harsh, sharp edges. His method of pouring concrete forms from ceilings to columns, walls and even furniture, was ingenious. When adding doors, Mercer opted for charming storybook forms, many arched-top, wooden plank designs with black iron hardware.

Although Fonthill offers all of the modern conveniences including electricity, running water, an Otis elevator, and steam heat, fixtures are cleverly intertwined into the grand scheme of Mercer's highly imaginative manor. There are eleven different ways to enter and exit Fonthill so walking though is an intriguing exploration. Rooms literally sweep into one another with a surprise at every turn. Mercer's use of natural light throughout the castle is an architectural delight and acclaimed by professionals even today.

The artisan's sense of humor and devotion to his beloved Chesapeake Bay retrievers is also visible throughout his home. A stairway in the Columbus Room was dedicated to Rollo, one of Mercer's canine companions, with the dog's paw prints proudly embedded in concrete.

In each and every room and on just about every imaginable surface, Mercer's beautiful three-dimensional tiles, all made of Bucks County clay, tell story after story -- from Dickens literature and biblical lore, to fairy tales and historical events around the world. Mercer appeared to particularly love Christopher Columbus and his New World voyage. Mercer borrowed many designs for his tiles from European decorative cast iron stove plates and over the years, he amassed over 600 plates for his personal collection.

Mercer, who was quite the eccentric, never married. He lived a hermit-like existence, didn't like to be photographed, took a couple of naps each day, preferred riding his bicycle instead of driving a car, and refused to live his life by anything other than Eastern Standard Time. He enjoyed fiddles, art, books and cigars. A staunch wildlife advocate, Mercer greatly objected to embellishing women's hats with bird features. He was so dedicated to preserving wildlife that he established an arboretum on Fonthill's rolling acreage in order to create an avian sanctuary.

In 1910, Mercer designed and built his Moravian Pottery and Tile Works on the grounds near his home. Mercer's tiles decorate such public spaces at the Pennsylvania State Capitol Building in Harrisburg , the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, and the Rockefeller estate in New York. Although Mercer passed away in 1930, the business still operates today and continues to offer the public Mercer's incredible designs.

Fonthill and the Moravian Pottery and Tile Works, as well as the Mercer Museum (also built by Mercer in 1913) are all National Historic Landmarks and should not be missed by anyone who appreciates history, mystical journeys and unforgettable handcrafted art. To make reservations for your one-hour guided tour of Fonthill or to inquire about upcoming special events, call 215-348-9461. Fonthill is open Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, $4.50 for senior citizens and $1.50 for children. The Moravian Pottery and Tile Works is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Please ask about tour rates.

DIRECTIONS: Fonthill and the Tile Works are located on Route 313 in Doylestown, PA. Motorists should exit the PA Turnpike at the Willow Grove Interchange (#27) and follow Route 611-north to the Doylestown exit. Drive through scenic Doylestown and turn right onto Route 313 (Swamp Road).