For 95 Years, the Bucks County Historical Society has

been gathering information on day to day life and the

historical occurrences that give the county its distinct

nature.

On the afternoon of January 20, 1880, Gen. W. W. H.

Davis gathered together several friends in the library

room at Lenape Hall, Main and State streets in

Doylestown, the building which now houses Weisbard's

Drug Store, to discuss founding a historical society.

A constitution and by‑laws were drafted and the

Bucks County Historical Society was eventually

chartered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on

Feb. 23, 1885.

Forty-two people were listed as charter members,

among them John Wanamaker of Philadelphia.  The

other members were drawn from townships and

boroughs throughout Bucks County, and included

several from Bellfonte, Newbold and Newton.

Writing of the early days of the society, Dr. Henry C.

Mercer said, “The society could scarcely afford to pay

for its printing, its inscriptions, or its show cases; it

borrowed its room and its chairs, storing the over-

crowded and heterogenous, but impressive mass of ob-

jects comprising its collection in the cellar and official

chambers of the courthouse at Doylestown.”

Under the charter the society's purpose is “the promo-

tion and encouragement of historical study and

research, particularly the discovery, collection, preser-

vation and publication of the history, historical records

and data pertaining to Bucks County.”

Josiah B. Smith of Newtown, the first signer of the

historical society constitution, presented the first paper

before the group.  His topic was “Early Settlement of

Newtown Township.

The second paper was “Solebury Copper Mines” by

John S. Bailey of Buckingham.

From these initial presentations, the society has gone

on to research, present and publish hundreds of papers

relating to Bucks County living.

Before a building was erected at the turn of the cen-

tury, meetings were held at different locations

throughout the county.  Two well attended sessions in

the 1800's were held at Durham Cave and on

Buckingham Mountain.

The society has built its library grounds, and artifacts

collection on the contributions of members whenever

possible.

Dr. Mercer in later years made major contributions,

with the erection of the Mercer Museum adjacent to the

society's building at East Ashland Street and Pine

Street, Doylestown.

The largest benefactors were William L. Elkins and

his son, George W. Elkins, who, impressed with the

earnestness of other contributors and the society's ef-

forts, donated $18,000 to construct a building.  The

money previously raised was left to purchase the land

and for operating expenses.

After considering several sites, the society bought

land on the southern slope of the hill in Doylestown.  The

tract adjoined one bought for $1,000 by Edward

Longstreth for the society.

The Elkins Building, a red brick structure, was built

in 1904 and is serving the society and the public today.

If you are a “reputable person” that the society deems

fit, you may join the roster of Bucks Countians and

others who are dedicated to preserving the traditions,

artifacts and history of Bucks County. — Cecilia K.

Malin.