PENNSYLVANIA - museums - Brief Article

Magazine Antiques, April, 2000

COLUMBIA: Wright's Ferry Mansion, Cherry and 2nd Sts., 17512. Pennsylvania English Quaker house built in 1738 with superlative collection of Philadelphia William and Mary and Queen Anne furniture and English ceramics, needlework, metals, and glass made prior to 1750. May-Oct; Tues, Wed, Fri, and Sat 10-3 (last tour begins at 3). (717) 684-4325.

COLUMBIA: The National Watch and Clock Museum, 514 Poplar St., 17512. There is a center of time. And it's Columbia, Pennsylvania. Home to the new National Watch and Clock Museum. Experience a fascinating journey through nearly every era since man has measured time, featuring over 12,000 timekeeping treasures from virtually every corner of the globe. Museum Shop. Tues-Sat, 10-5; Sun, 12-4. (717) 684-8261, fax: (717) 684-0142. http://www.nawcc.org

GREENSBURG: Westmoreland Museum of American Art, 221 N. Main St., 15601. From smoky cityscapes and rural splendors, to heroes of history and toys from yesteryear, see it and more at the newly renovated Museum. Collections: 18th to 20th centuries, Southwestern Pennsylvania Painters, Decorative Arts. Museum Shop with coffee bar, $3 suggested donation. Wed-Sun 11-5, Thurs until 9, closed Mon, Tues & Holidays. (724) 837-1500, fax (724) 837-2921, www.wmuseumaa.org, email: info@ wmuseumaa.org May 7 - July 23 The Frame in America: 1860-1960; Aug 6 - Oct 22 Face-to-face: 20th Century Portraits.

HARRISBURG: John Harris/Simon Cameron Mansion Museum, 219 5. Front St., 17104. Lincoln's first Secretary of War enlarged this c. 1766 limestone home erected on the Susquehanna River by the founder of Harrisburg. Cameron dropped the floors three feet and installed 14-foot mirrors from Paris. The mansion beckons with exquisite furnishings: clocks, toys, paintings, china, silver, rotating exhibitions and more. Please call to arrange a guided tour. (717) 233-3462, fax (717) 233-6059.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY: The Department of History & Cultural Arts presents:

Audubon: Mill Grove/Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary, Pawling and Audubon Rds., 19407. John James Audubon's first home in America (1803-1806). Now a museum, the house features examples of every major work ever published by the artist/naturalist. 175 acres with nature trails. A National Historic Landmark. Museum Shop. (610) 666-5593.

Pottstown: Pottsgrove Manor, Rte. 100 and West King St., 19464. Home of John Potts, colonial ironmaster and founder of Pottstown. Newly restored. Distinguished for its early Georgian architecture (1752), fine furnishings, and recently discovered slave quarters. Museum shop. (610) 326-4014.

Schwenksville: Pennypacker Mills, Rte. 73 and Haldeman Rd., 19473. 1901 colonial revival mansion of former Pennsylvania Governor, Samuel W. Pennypacker, on landscaped architect-designed English natural setting; 175 rural acres; walking trails, 18th- through 20th-century furnishings and Pennypack-er family memorabilia. Exhibit gallery. Museum shop. (610) 287-9349.

Worcester: Peter Wentz Farmstead, East of intersection of Rtes. 73 and 363 on Shearer Rd., 19490. Georgian mansion with German details, built in 1758. Twice used by Washington as headquarters during Pennsylvania campaign of 1777. Reconstructed stone barn houses equipment and farm animals typical of the period. Museum Shop. (610) 584-5104.

ALL SITES: Open year round. Closed Mondays and major holidays. Hours: Tues-Sat 10-4, Sun 1-4. There is no admission charge, but donations are suggested.

PHILADELPHIA: Cliveden of the National Trust, 6401 Germantown Ave., 19144. One of Philadelphia's finest historic house museums, Unparalleled family collection of 18th & 19th century Philadelphia furniture and decorative arts in situ, including examples by Affleck, Reynolds & Gostelowe. Georgian-style house on six landscaped acres, site of the Battle of Germantown in 1777. A National Trust Historic Site. April-Dec, Thurs-Sun 12-4. (215) 848-1777, fax (215) 438-2892.

PHILADELPHIA: Historic Houses of Fairmount Park. Nestled in the wooded hills of Philadelphia's Fairmount Park are seven spectacular 18th- and 19th-century mansions that form the country's finest group of furnished historic homes. The Park House Guides offer year-round tours exploring history, architecture and decorative arts, as well as the special Park House Yuletide Tours (November 30- December 6, 2000). For information: (215) 684-7926.

PITTSBURGH: Clayton, The restored home of industrialist Henry Clay Frick, 7227 Reynolds St., 15208. This late Victorian mansion showcases the art, architecture, furnishings, and decorative arts acquired by the Fricks in the 1880's and 90's. Decor changes with the seasons, special holiday display in December. 5.5 acre complex includes art museum, car and carriage museum, greenhouse, and cafe. Guided tours. Tues-Sat 10-5, Sun 12-6, closed Monday. (412) 371-0600, fax (412) 241-5393.