Nonprofit To Take Over Operations Of Famed Moravian Pottery & Tile Works

Bucks County’s famed Moravian Pottery and Tile Works will be operated by a nonprofit organization, removing the financial burden from taxpayers.

At their Wednesday meeting, the Bucks County Commissioners approved a 30-year license, management, and services agreement with the new group, TileWorks of Bucks County, which will be led by well-known ceramic artist Katia McGuirk, who previously worked at the Moravian Pottery and Tile Works.

The TileWorks of Bucks County nonprofit is run by a board featuring those with knowledge of ceramics, management, county government, and the law. Bucks County Controller Neale Dougherty will be on the board.

The county will retain ownership of the Moravian Pottery and Tile Works facility in Doylestown Township but will hand over the operation to TileWorks of Bucks County. Officials have said the facility in recent years has been cost taxpayers as much as $500,000 per year under the operation of the parks and recreation department.

The facility is a working museum that has been run by county employees.

Under the agreement, TileWorks of Bucks County will be entitled to revenue generated from the operation of the site and sales of tiles, but the nonprofit will reimburse the county for mowing the lawn, removing snow, and delivery clay for tiles, which is obtained from Lake Towhee Park in Upper Bucks County.

McGuirk, who has 40 years experience with ceramics and is a self-taught tile maker and installer, said she has put together a team who will run the facility. They have experience with ceramics, including working and running the facility.

The new nonprofit will design a path forward for the facility to continue making tiles, be a good steward for the historic site, and promote educational opportunities, McGuirk said.

The Moravian Pottery and Tile Works is one of three sites built by famed archeologist and tile-maker Henry Chapman Mercer. He built the neighboring Fonthill Castle and nearby Mercer Museum, both of which are operated by the Bucks County Historical Society.

Mercer ran the facility until his death in 1930. After that, a business partner owned the site and later another entity ran the business until hitting hard times. The county obtained the site in the mid-1960s.

McGuirk, who has worked with other nonprofits, schools, and the county nursing home on tile projects, called the tile works site Mercer’s “greatest contribution to Bucks County.”

The artisan said the new operational plan for the facility will take the site from “surviving to thriving.” She said part of the business plan is to expand current operations and make sure the facility is sustainable.

The Bucks County Historical Society has suggested their nonprofit be included in discussions to operate the pottery and tile works. The group added they operate Mercer’s two other sites.

“There is efficiency in having all three Mercer sites operating under one administration. It would enable better coordination of programming, preservation, public access, communication, marketing and many other activities,” the group said in a statement.

Bill Goldman, a Doylestown-based attorney and member of The TileWorks of Bucks County board, said the facility will have a bright outlook with McGuirk involved. He pointed to her experience and work to create tributes following September 11, 2001 and for fallen soldiers.

There were other public comments both in support of the agreement between the county and TileWorks of Bucks County, while others asked the commissioners to consider involving the Bucks County Historical Society or tabling the vote.

News on the potential of the county handing over operations of the institution came to light late last year, but details were scarce until recently.

McGuirk said she first approached the county about the facility in 2018 and discussions grew over the years.

Commissioner Bob Harvie said he and his peers thought long and hard about the decision. He said there are numerous clauses built into the contract if the county wishes to end the nonprofit’s operation of the site.

“I think it’s just a bright future ahead,” he said.

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