7 Things You May Not Know About the Mercer Museum -

By Jake DiBlasio and Christian Brady

Have you ever wondered what everyday life was like in the past? The Mercer Museum offers a fascinating journey through history, housing artifacts ranging from large items like whale-capturing boats to small everyday objects like knives. Founded by Henry Mercer, the museum aims to preserve history and provide visitors with a glimpse into the past. With a wealth of exhibits to explore, here are 10 intriguing facts you may not know about the Mercer Museum.

1. Artifacts and tools in the Museum are Numbered for a Catalog

If you look closely at some of the items, they have numbers like 1317,409, and 1651!

That’s right! Artifacts in the museum are meticulously numbered and cataloged, providing visitors with comprehensive information about each piece’s age, purpose, and more. While there is an online catalog available, it only represents a fraction of the vast array of items housed within the museum. Here is a link to the online catalog.

2. The Objects are Displayed in a Unique Display to Encourage People to look at Items from a New Perspective.

This was a whale boat that you could have looked at from the bottom floor to get a different perspective of the object.

When you walk into the main part of the seven-floor museum, items are mounted everywhere including from the ceiling. Henry Mercer did this because he wanted people to see objects from a new point of view. For example, kitchen tables and chairs are mounted to the ceiling of the museum, encouraging people to look at those objects from below, something most people don’t do in their everyday life.

3. A Horse and cart were Used to Help Hang Objects in the Mercer Museum.

Attached is also a picture from the bottom of the whale boat like said above!

During the museum’s construction, there were very limited methods available for hanging objects, including large items such as a Horse Cart. The builders of the museum devised a solution by utilizing a horse-driven wheel to operate a pulley system for displaying these objects. This method allowed for the placement of items high up, like the chairs on the ceiling, as well as heavy items like the boat, enabling them to be exhibited in the manner envisioned by Henry Mercer.

4. Unveiling the Evolution of Hat-Making: From Custom Fitting to Velcro Adjustments

Hats have become such a staple in many individuals’ lives that we tend to forget how much used to go into making one. When you go to the store now, you buy your hat and adjust the Velcro, and it fits your head. However, it used to be a much more complicated process that included getting your head fitted for the hat and a long manufacturing process to ensure it fit properly. This is one of the many examples of how items have evolved over time.

5. Deer Antlers used to Make Pipes.

Pipes used for smoking were very common in the past and are still used today. The main difference is that pipes are now commonly made out of ceramic, briar, and other more common materials. In the past, it was much harder to use those materials to create a pipe. Instead, antlers from deer and other animals were used to make pipes. People would carve the antlers with a knife to try to achieve the desired shape and design for proper smoking.

6. Explore the Bake Oven from the 1700’s in the Museum.

On the fifth floor of the Mercer Museum, you can find a bake oven that was used during the 1700s. This item is particularly intriguing due to its size. The bake oven occupied a significant amount of space and differs greatly from the ovens used today, which are much smaller. This serves as another excellent example of how everyday items have continued to change and evolve over time.

7. Family-Friendly Fun: Exploring the Children’s Exhibit at the Mercer Museum

The Mercer Museum is clearly designed for people of all ages to learn about our past, but to make it more engaging for young children, there is a children’s exhibit on the 6th floor tailored for kids aged 3 to 8. activities tailored just for them. Upon arrival, kids can embark on an adventurous scavenger hunt, tracing Henry’s dog Rollo’s footprints throughout the museum, ensuring an interactive and immersive experience. Additionally, two specially designed rooms await young explorers, offering hands-on, spaces where children can let their curiosity run wild and engage with exhibits featuring vibrant colors in a fun and interactive manner.