This photo and caption were published in The Intelligencer, Community News section on April 27, 2015. It features a window treatment that was recently reproduced by Hearth & Hedgerow Ltd. for Fonthill Castle. Fonthill is Henry Mercer’s unique home which was constructed between 1908 and 1912 in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. Funds to complete the reproduction were raised by the Pennsylvania State Questers and the Fonthill Questers Chapter.
The original window treatments were removed during the 1970’s – 1980’s. This photo of the original was taken after removal. As you can see decades of sunlight faded the Verdure Tapestry and Brown Corduroy Trim that Mercer had used to fabricate the original design.
Kathy Appel of Hearth & Hedgerow Ltd. worked with Ed Reidell, Cory Amsler and Sara Good from the Bucks County Historical Society to source materials. A new tapestry featuring the same design motifs as the original Verdure and a matching brown corduroy were specified. Kathy then created a work order that the fabricator could follow to be sure the new piece was the same size as the original.
Many of the docents at Fonthill Castle are excited to have this particular treatment restored in the Terrace Bedroom. It directly relates to the interpretation of how Mercer used this space. We highly recommend a visit to Fonthill – it’s a fascinating place!