Michener Art Museum

Museum · Doylestown

Michener Art Museum

Museum · Doylestown

1

138 S Pine St, Doylestown, PA 18901

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Michener Art Museum by null
Michener Art Museum by Joe Vogan/Alamy
Michener Art Museum by Philip Scalia/Alamy
Michener Art Museum by null
Michener Art Museum by null
Michener Art Museum by null
Michener Art Museum by null
Michener Art Museum by null
Michener Art Museum by null
Michener Art Museum by null
Michener Art Museum by null
Michener Art Museum by null
Michener Art Museum by null
Michener Art Museum by null
Michener Art Museum by null
Michener Art Museum by null
Michener Art Museum by null
Michener Art Museum by null
Michener Art Museum by null
Michener Art Museum by null
Michener Art Museum by null
Michener Art Museum by null
Michener Art Museum by null
Michener Art Museum by null
Michener Art Museum by null
Michener Art Museum by null
Michener Art Museum by null
Michener Art Museum by null
Michener Art Museum by null
Michener Art Museum by null
Michener Art Museum by null
Michener Art Museum by null
Michener Art Museum by null
Michener Art Museum by null
Michener Art Museum by null
Michener Art Museum by null
Michener Art Museum by null
Michener Art Museum by null
Michener Art Museum by null
Michener Art Museum by null
Michener Art Museum by null
Michener Art Museum by null
Michener Art Museum by null
Michener Art Museum by null
Michener Art Museum by null
Michener Art Museum by null
Michener Art Museum by null

Highlights

Non-profit art museum dedicated to Bucks County art offers several galleries & a sculpture garden.  

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138 S Pine St, Doylestown, PA 18901 Get directions

michenerartmuseum.org
@michenerart

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138 S Pine St, Doylestown, PA 18901 Get directions

+1 215 340 9800
michenerartmuseum.org
@michenerart
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@MichenerArt

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Jul 11, 2025

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"This former prison (a distinction you'll notice in the old stone walls of the wonderful sculpture garden) is named for Doylsetown's favorite son: Pulitzer Prize-winning writer James Michener. The collection is largely paintings with a local angle (the Pennsylvania impressionist exhibit is quite impressive), but the Michener exhibit, showcasing his books and papers, is a must. It's an intimate space, yet surprisingly comprehensive." - Nancy DePalma

4 Best Day Trips from Philadelphia | Condé Nast Traveler
View Postcard for Michener Art Museum

Eunice trust

Google
I went on a Saturday it was nice! The place was one floor but nice to see. It was free if you had a BOA card for that day. I would visit again, it was different.

Joanna Reid

Google
Lots of Impressionist paintings if you like that sorta stuff. Great area to relax in downstairs for those who get overwhelmed which had books, headphones and fidget toys. As an autistic person I appreciated this, however I went around the time the museum was closing so it wasn’t too loud. Cool historical stuff of Micheners too. I really enjoyed my time here and the Keith Haring stuff in the gift shop.

Anastasia

Google
Excellent museum. The exhibit is mainly one level accompanied by an outdoor sculpture garden, but despite its smaller size this museum is full of life and personality. It’s a fantastic collection. All of the pieces are coupled with blurbs of text about the piece and/or the artist. Nice mix of contemporary and historical / classic artwork. Much of the art is local, focused on PA and even more specifically Buck’s County, which offers a unique and intimate perspective compared to other museums in the area. The museum itself was one a prison that has since been renovated, so there is another layer of local history. Staff is friendly. Entry fee of $15 is reasonable. Free parking at the public library right next door. Would love to visit again.

Blue Skies Above

Google
I like to support my local museums and this one is especially great. The exhibits they have are constantly rotating and the newly acquired pieces of art are always nice to see. They offer an area for the kids too in the main museum. There are always wonderful classes being offered.

rondom goose

Google
Great art, some cool interactive drawing/writing/building stuff as well. Be sure to go on the second Sunday of the month for free admission.

McMasters Photography & Video

Google
Holding a wedding at the Michener Art Museum is like stepping into a masterpiece itself. Surrounded by stunning works of art and architecture elegance and sophistication. The museum's unique blend of history and creativity provides an enchanting backdrop for couples to exchange vows and create lasting memories. Accompanied by their friendly staff Michener Art Museum offers a truly unforgettable wedding experience."

Bar Davi Studios

Google
Though small in size, this museum is well worth a visit. Beautifully curated exhibits with excellent written museum labels that go beyond description to include historical and cultural information. Ongoing exhibits focus on local artists. There is also a replica of James Michener's office. Wonderful sculpture area outside.

Joseph Dutko

Google
We were invited to attend an evening "Thank You" event at the reception hall in the Michener Art Museum. We had planned to visit the museum, but it never worked out until this event. It was easy to get to, there was plenty of parking, the walkways were easy to navigate & the grounds were clean. Our group had the museum to ourselves. We toured the spacious halls and display rooms leisurely, enjoying the art, photos, furniture, clothing and other displays at our own pace, it was pleasant not to be rushed. The reception room walls were glass, that was surrounded by high stone walls that were lighted by indirect lamps that added a warm feeling to the room. Our meal was catered, we had a delicious salmon that just melted in your mouth and there was a wide selection of beverages. It was a great evening which we thoroughly enjoyed. We will definitely come back to enjoy this museum once again.

Miche

Yelp
Absolutely wonderful experience. Tour with Friends from NYC sketch group. Fern Coppedge docent on two of her works. So glad to see all the different rooms ! Sarah Kaizar BIRD exhibit called RATE AIR! The detains were so beautiful. I was glad to catch the Never Broken: Visualizing Lenape Histories room! The Holly Wilson (Delaware Nation and Cherokee) piece really stood out for me. Each face in the sculptures were so unique. Nakashima room was still so special and beautiful. I spent time I the sculpture garden . Very beautiful especially with the autumn leaves around the sculptures! I loves sketching there too. Cafe had quiche today!! Loved it.

Jasmine S.

Yelp
I was a little leery about going to a former jail but the Michener was actually one of the most peaceful and serene museum experiences I've ever had! Walking up, there are a bevy of statues to welcome you in. The museum staff is friendly and advise you on all the open exhibits and the flow of the floor. Everything is on one level which makes it a breeze to navigate ! I came specifically to see the Keith Haring exhibit before it ended and it seemed many were here for that as well. The other exhibits include American modern art and American Impressionism. There is also a sculpture garden in the back which is a must see ! They accommodate families: there's a reading nook for kids and it's very spacious for being a smaller museum helping larger groups pass without it feeling congested. I would love to go back: they did an amazing job with the Keith Haring exhibit was a joy and I'm glad I was able to make it !

Gilbert G.

Yelp
My wife, 2 teenage sons (16 yrs, 14 yrs), and I came here in early July 2022 to see the Keith Haring special exhibition. It was easy to find free parking in the lot right next to the library (adjacent to the museum). On the walk to the museum entrance, you'll see a few outdoor sculptures. Admission fees can be paid at the front desk (towards the right near the gift shop). For the Keith Haring exhibition, it was well worth the $15 price of admission per adult. In addition, we explored the permanent collection. I'm not a fan of American impressionists. But we loved sitting in the wood chairs and the zen interior of the Nakashima Reading Room (do not miss this room!). My sons enjoyed a sculpture piece called "bat factory rejects" as they both play baseball, but they were not thrilled with the permanent collection. Without the special exhibition, I'm not sure that we would have made the 45-minute drive from central New Jersey. But the special exhibit was great and visiting the downtown area of Doylestown for coffee and gelato was a nice way to end our visit!

Courtney C.

Yelp
I recently went to the Michener for the first time since I was in elementary school - so its definitely been awhile. The Michener is relatively small so it's easy to walk through in an afternoon. I love that they have a lot of local artists. I went to view the Keith Haring exhibit which was really fun. I regret not going to see some of the last exhibits they had like Grace Kelly - but I cannot wait to see what comes after this month. The Michener also has really nice gardens and a very small gift shop with a small 'cafe'. What I also liked was that the entirety of the museum was accessible for my mom- what a win ! I'm sure I'll be back to check out future exhibits

Claire F.

Yelp
Beautiful museum!! I love the shoe exhibition, so gorg! I wish there was more clothing in the fashion exhibition though. Started off strong when cashier did not believe my friend was not a senior citizen, slay!

Meghan L.

Yelp
We had our wedding at the Michener. Our venue was simply gorgeous. We loved it from the second we saw it on our tour. It was different from all the other weddings we've been to and many of our friends and family were very impressed. Our guests couldn't stop telling us how great the venue was throughout the night. We agree! It is a hidden gem that we got lucky more people did not know about. Plus, it is affordable! My husband and I still can't get over just how reasonable everything at CBD was especially for the quality of food and service we received. We're so happy we found the Michener. We couldn't be more thrilled with everything. It really was the perfect night.

Christopher C.

Yelp
(I'm not qualified or able to tell anyone what is or is not a good art museum so I'm not even going to try. All I can bring to the table is what I thought about Michener.) Going back to front on this one. In retrospect my impression of Michener is that it's less an art museum as opposed to a building that offers a lot of classes and performances which incidentally also happens to have art as well. We came on a Sunday not long after they opened and things initially seemed very busy (note I say seemed). We got the counter to pay and the poor women at the register got confused really quick. I told her that we had two child admissions, one college student with ID and we wanted to use our Bank of America CC to make the last one free since Michener participates with BOA's first weekend of the month free museum program. She couldn't figure this out and after asking a colleague what to do she just gave us a map with the little plastic clip-ons to show that we "paid" and said to have a good time. Free is never a bad thing. Once the guided tour and jazz concert started things cleared out in a hurry. After that we had the place mostly to ourselves. The three things I remember were the giant sculpted heads from the Janis Project (Weird). A lot of decorative chairs and their permanent gallery of PA inspired paintings which seemed Bucks County-centric. www.michenerartmuseum.org/mam_exhibitions/frank-hyder-the-janis-project/ www.michenerartmuseum.org/mam_exhibitions/the-art-of-seating/ Overall the museum was enjoyable and after about 90 minutes we were done as honestly there is not that much to see. Had we paid the full admission price I probably would not be very favorable in my opinion of Michener but free is a strong persuader to not be so hard on something especially when you're not exactly sure that anything you saw was actually all that interesting. Plenty of free parking in a shared lot with the next door library and the usual needed info is below: Tuesday - Friday: 10 am to 4:30 pm Saturday: 10 am to 5 pm Sunday: 12 pm to 5 pm Closed Monday Members: Free Adult: $15.00 Senior: $13.00 College Students: $8.00 Ages 6-18: $5.00 Children under 6: Free

Matt S.

Yelp
Here for a wedding. Seems very nice. Hors d'ouevres were good, but I don't like the salad. High hopes for the entree. Bathrooms are clean.

Joan B.

Yelp
Wasn't sure if we wanted to go to this museum when we were in Doylestown PA but we found it to be a very interesting place. Well worth the time we spent there.

Alison R.

Yelp
Jazz Nite at the Michener - we've been attending these programs at the museum for the past 5 years. For the price of $45 you are provided with dinner courtesy of Havana restaurant in New Hope, wine available throughout the evening provided by Sandcastle Winery and beers provided by River Horse Brewing. Each evening a different jazz band plays from 8:30-11:00 and overall the band's have been outstanding. Last night's event was a Cuban Jazz band that was heavy on vocals and overall was the only show we did not really enjoy. But the Michener does a fantastic job with Jazz Nite and I encourage you to buy a ticket and experience what is usually an incredible night.

J J.

Yelp
Great place to spend a cool fall or winter afternoon. Bring headphones and do the self guided audio tour. Nice to experience culture, talent, and art in today's crazy world. A peaceful nice museum in a very cool historic old jail.

Lindsay S.

Yelp
I visit this very interesting Art Museum several times a year as it is a wonderful place to just get away for a couple of hours. It is always time well-spent and there are so many things to see and learn about. Whenever we have guests visiting us from other towns and states, we always take them to the Michener - and it never disappoints. This Museum is the 'jewel' in the center of Doylestown. I highly recommend becoming a Member of this Museum and to take advantage of all that they have to offer.

Monyca W.

Yelp
We went to this tiny museum mostly for the Jim Henson's Muppets exhibit, which was well worth the trip. It's a nice exhibit which gives some background as to Henson's early work as an artist and how he evolved into a puppeteer. I was a little confused by one mixed message... there were multiple signs reading "No Photography" in the Henson exhibit, but there was one big sign that read "The only rules are... there are no rules!" So, should I take that to mean I can take photos? We didn't spend much time in the rest of the museum, but we did spend a moment in the sculpture garden which was very peaceful. There's also a cute (tiny) gift shop and food stand, which has delicious cookies. Great for just after seeing the Cookie Monster! Good to know: There is another museum (Mercer) across the street. We didn't make it to the Mercer this time, but your receipt from the Michener gets you a discount at the Mercer.

Ford P.

Yelp
The Michener Art Museum is an exceptional art museum. They have a great permanent collection and a fascinating rotation of temporary exhibits. There's a beautiful sculpture garden, and a great event space. But that's not why I'm writing this. The Michener museum has educational programs for all ages that are just top notch. I send my son here for a couple weeks of art camp in the summer and they are just fantastic. They help your child develop creative thought (a vastly underrated skill in our educational system but highly prized in the real world), they instill a love of art and hey have fun. The instructors are attentive and highly skilled, and the CITs are wonderful. If your kid is shy or scared, they take he time to help them through it, unlike other summer camps I could mention. At the end of the week your kid comes home with an armful of work that you had no idea he or she was capable of. Worth every penny.

Dave L.

Yelp
This museum is a teeny bit smallish, but there's lots to see. Not sure about the latest exhibits, but there are a variety of pieces, in multiple types of media. Check out the Nakashima reading room. Japanese stylings, Zen simplicity. Peaceful, calming, quiet. (Kind of how I'd like my place to be.) Did you know you can browse their collections online?

E A.

Yelp
Really nice museum. I've been meaning to come here for a while, but was enticed by the special show on Fashion through the ages. We came to see the movie, Scatter my Ashes at Bergdorf Goodman's. The cost of admission to the museum is $18.00. Hmmmm. That seemed a little high (especially since we were only going to be at the museum a short while). But I thought with the viewing of the movie it would be worthwhile. And it was a lovely short visit. They have a really nice museum shop geared towards modern design. I don't know if I'd go back frequently, but if some event pops up that catches my eye I think I'd return. NOTE...............The Mercer Museum is directly across the street and certainly worth a visit once in a lifetime.

Gwendolyn P.

Yelp
This museum is located within the old stone walls of a historic 19th-century prison. Located in Bucks County it is a nice day trip if you are a Philadelphian desiring to spend a bit of time outside of the city. The museum houses 19th- and 20th-century American art. It is noted for its Pennsylvania Impressionism collection, an art colony centered in nearby New Hope during the early 20th century. The Nakashima reading room is really cool! I loved the bird pictures that I saw when I was there - not sure if this was a permanent or temporary exhibition.

Shari D.

Yelp
This art museum is not to be missed. The collection is interesting, and they rotate special collections regularly. The museum staff is friendly, and they have many of James A. Michener's books, awards, and personal effects. It is a smaller museum, and is perfect for anyone who enjoys Americana.

Tom C.

Yelp
We stopped in here the day after visiting the Princeton U.'s Museum of Art and the difference was night and day. I don't want this to be a PUMA (did I just coin that term?) bashing piece, so I'll just say I liked the Michener so much more and leave it at that. The cost of admission is $6 and they currently have a "landscape" retrospective for an additional $4 (which I jokingly was threatening to ask for our $8 back...everyone's a critic!) The excellent use of natural light is the first thing I noticed. The quality of art on display is excellent as well. We went specifically to view the exhibit of Photography portraits which I really recommend.

Sara C.

Yelp
The Michener is a wonderful mid-size museum, perfect for a day trip from Jersey or Philadelphia, in the heart of Bucks County's Doylestown. Michelle has noted their fantastic permanent collection of local Impressionists, the Nakashima Reading Room. and the incredible Garber Mural. The LitGraphic Exhibition, which is on display through January 2011, is a must for any comic/graphic novel enthusiasts. The staff is friendly and quick to answer any questions you might have about the exhibits. Even though I was able to see every exhibit on my visit (unlike the Art Museum!), I can't wait to come back for another visit and let it all soak in.

Karen F.

Yelp
Visited the Art of Jim Henson exhibit. Great for kids and grown-ups. Not to be missed.

Joel L.

Yelp
Came from out of town to see the Grace Kelly special exhibit . A nice tribute for a great talented lady. The collection of artifacts and dresses was outstanding . A nice job by this museum to mount this exhibit in such a grand manner.

Mike A.

Yelp
Wonderful place for a wedding, got amazing wedding photos for one of the first weddings to take place here. I would recommend couples to get married here.

Paul S.

Yelp
I am so fortunate to be a member of this fine establishment and to live in Bucks County, PA. The Michener is a premier regional museum that features works by the artists known as the New Hope Impressionists. Those artists were in their heyday from the 1890's until the mid-twentieth century. My favorite artists are Ed Redfield and Fern Coppedge. Redfield was famous for painting en plein air; in other words, he didn't paint in a studio; he painted on site and in one sitting. His winter snow scenes of rural Bucks County are stupendous. Fern Coppedge was one of the Philadelphia 10 female artists. Her use of vibrant colors was amazing and set the stage for later generations of local artists to follow in her footsteps. Don't miss the Nakashima Reading Room; it's a great place to read a book or meditate. I particularly like the Sunday 1 pm meditations sponsored by the museum and led by docents. They are free with the price of admission to the museum. The Michener is a gem. While you're in Doylestown, check out the Mercer Museum across the street and the Fonthill Tileworks. I'm not a big fan of Pennsylvania, but if I have to live here, I'm glad I live in a great place like Bucks County.

Michelle S.

Yelp
Small, but worthwhile museum in the heart of Bucks County. The Michener has a fantastic permanent exhibit featuring the best of the Pennsylvania Impressionists, known as the Lenfest Gallery. The gallery, the Garber Mural, and the Nakashima reading room are well worth the trip from Center City. Admission is a bargain at $6. If you are coming from CC, I'd suggest making a day of it. Visit the museum, have dinner at one Doyelstown's many great restaurants (Knighthouse) and catch a film at the County Theatre. BTW... there is a great Susan S. Bank photo exhibit running throught Jan 4th...called Cuba: Campo Adentro.. featuring the residents of rural tobacco farming community in Cuba.

Kristen F.

Yelp
i love this place. it's the perfect size to spend a couple hours. it wasn't crowded at all when i went on rainy saturday (this is to suggest that it's probably never packed), and for bucks county locals, they showcase a lot of local artists - past and present...i found this particularly interesting. i moved to bucks county from new york city, and am slightly ashamed to admit that i found the plethora of museums at my disposal overwhelming and a little, well, boring...michener isn't like this - i really, truly enjoyed it, and will be back!

H K.

Yelp
My children have attended a variety of art classes at the Michener over the years. They started in preschool, with a weekly parent child program. It was an amazing experience for the whole family. They now attend Saturday classes, where they build skills in all kinds of art media and also explore their creative side. In addition, the arts summer programs are vibrant and inspiring. Above all, the Michener teaching staff is incredible. They are talented, caring, dedicated, and make learning about art fun. All this - and over the years, my kids have had first hand experience with original works of art in a museum. I can't imagine having raised my kids in Doylestown without Michener art classes as part of their experience. Thanks for being a vital part of our community!

John C.

Yelp
The Michener Museum has a new space that I recently saw when I attended an Opera afternoon with singers from the Philadelphia Opera Company. It is a great space and I highly recommend seeing any of their recitals if you are able. If this event was indicative of the quality they usually provide - it is a "must see" for Bucks County.

Amelie N.

Yelp
I wish I were a kid again, living near Doylestown, so I could attend the wonderful summer camp here at the Michener Art Museum! This week they are doing fashion design for ages 10 to 15. The kids do rough sketches and learn color theory and textile design to create fashion accessories. What fun! Of course it's fun for me as an adult, too, to see all the different cultures of the Commonwealth celebrated in the folk arts exhibit. I'm so glad the museum is continuing to grow, with a new event center opening next spring. And at the cafe, you can get seltzer for 25 cents -- the bargain of the century!

Jenna M.

Yelp
Great art camp for kids! Friendly, skilled teachers. Great gift shop and art!