james a. michener art museum

HighMooring

Are favorites, so this museum is a must visit - wonderful collection of paintings, in an interesting layout. Personally could look at the winter scenes all day long.

j9mitchell

Enclosed by beautiful old stone prison walls, the Michener Art Museum is one of the unique places to visit in Doylestown, the lovely county seat of Bucks County, Pennsylvania. It houses a permanent collection of the famous New Hope impressionists, a Nakashima reading room, and a delightful assortment of other pieces by local artists. Look for surprising special exhibits as well: in the recent past these have featured haute couture worn by Princess Grace of Monaco and stunning photographs of children from around the world. Outside there is always a sculpture exhibit framed by the towering stone walls. There is a fine gift shop and small cafe on the premises. It's easy to spend an enjoyable couple of hours in and around this museum.

BetsyLeeK

The old county prison was transformed, inside and out, into a showcase for art and sculpture. New exhibits all the time. A permanent section is dedicated to American Impressionists, several of the most famous being Doylestown and Bucks County natives. Lovely museum shop and cafe.

DonnaandCraig

Creatively uses an old stone prison, renovated into a contemporary art museum to feature a collection early 20th century impressionists paintings from artists of the “New Hope School,” a Bucks County movement. The museum has a collection of contemporary art and photography, and exhibits change throughout the year. The museum also hosts traveling exhibits from other institutions.It’s located just across the street from the Mercer Museum and is a short walk from the train station and the center of Doylestown, where there a numerous dining options.

laurar391

I am an art student, watercolor. This museum impressed me with its displays of artists that are famous in the Bucks County traditions. They paint the most beautiful landscapes of local scenes that the visitor rarely sees and they are authentic. Unusual palette. These artists for sale in the fancy galleries of New Hope. Don't miss the sculpture outdoors. Better use than the prison it was.

Luchiroth

I loved everything about this museum. i can spend days there and never get bored and i am not into Art and used to find Art Museum's boring. The realism, beautiful nature themes, lighting, colors make this art come alive and fill you with excitement and contentment. i just love it.

rockford86

What is amazing about this place is that it is built in the former quaker prison. The layout is so cool.Their is always an outdoor installation year round, so you can enjoy the art in the various seasons.The regular exhibits are worth the price of admission/donation. Most of the work is by local artist. The paintings are rotated periodically. The collection is fairly extensive. And throughout the year you will find special limited exhibits. One exhibit featured Grace Kelly. The Prince of Monaco, her son, came for the opening. It is truly a gem in the middle of the cultural center of Doylestown.Worth the trip if you live anywhere in the Philadelphia area.

AviCa

Just across from the Mercer Museum is this great regional art museum, named after local son, famous James A. Michener.It IS an old stone prison-turned art museum.

JudyL103

An hour and a half is probably enough to see it all. But their exhibits are nice and interesting. Currently they have some very interesting sculptures by Steve Tobin including a short film on his work. I would recommend a special trip to this museum

Brian85usa

Very nice small museum with frequently changing exhibits. Small enough so you don't get overwhelmed. Good place to hold a function

rljustice

Dont miss the James Michener exhibit. Can you believe the Uffizi Gallery collection was hosted here?? Grab a sandwich in the cafe and enjoy the outdoor patio. Many Bucks County artists are well represented.

KarenV201

Nice gift shop, nice cafe with indoor and outdoor seating, scavenger hunt/workbook for kids (ask at the front desk), the sculpture garden (with fountains!) is good for kids to run around. Nice museum, room dedicated to James Michener, various temporary exhibits. Walkable to the center of Doylestown. Right next to the public library.

kellyn118

Well worth the trip. Two new exhibits of contemporary sculpture and photographs were going on as well a room full of wonderful paintings by artists who had lived locally in Bucks county and painted in the impressionist style of the time. There is a selection of modern crafts from the permanent collection, a cafe and a lovely outdoor sculpture garden.

65philipj

Doylestown, county seat of Bucks County, has several museums worth seeing, three of them related to Henry Chapman Mercer. A fourth, across the street from the original Mercer Museum, is the James A. Michener Art Museum. Their collection features works by regional artists of a very high level: George Nakashima, David Ellsworth, a whole school of impressionist painters centered in New Hope in the early 20th century. Currently they have a show that was "crowd-curated": they asked regular visitors to vote for their favorite works in the museum's collection, and have displayed those works in a small gallery. Adjacent is a very well designed interactive exhibit where you can pick your own list of favorites. An easy drive (or train or bus ride) from Philadelphia, this museum is a must for visitors to the area.

643jenniea

Ok…so as kids, we'd race to the top of the Mercer Museum and stretch our necks at all angles at the windows in hope of peering over the tall stone wall and spotting "bad guy prisoners" exercising in the prison yard. Now it's a stunning art museum and tribute to many fine Bucks County artists and traveling exhibits. Don't miss it!