African American Museum Of Bucks Co. Officially Opens

MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — It's now officially open.

After all the talk over the years, the African American Museum of Bucks County finally has a permanent home.

Bucks County's latest tourist attraction held a ceremonial opening on Friday night for the Juneteenth federal holiday before opening its doors to the public on Saturday.

"A Dream Fulfilled," officials said as a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Friday at the museum at Boone Farm at 867 Langhorne-Newtown Road in Langhorne.

"It was Linda’s dream that the African American Museum of Bucks County would open on Juneteenth," museum officials said in discussing the recent passing of the organization's executive director Linda Salley.

The ceremony on Friday was a soft opening featuring special guests, politicians, and dignitaries who helped the museum become a reality.

"I was among the invited guests at the Friday opening," said Shirley Corsey, executive director of The Gather Place Museum in Yardley told Patch on Monday. "It was very nice."

Among them was Patricia Mervine, the author of "Boone Farm: Its People and Place in Middletown History.

She said the historic farm dates back at least 300 years, with links to the Great Migration of the 20th century.

When Bucks County Commissioners offered the property to AAMBC in 2020, it had been vacant for nearly 40 years, Mervine told Patch.

Ground was broken for the museum in 2022.

Mervine, who serves as the museum's capital campaign chairwoman, said the farmhouse's conversion into a museum was a $6 million undertaking.

Established in 2014, the museum has existed solely as a “mobile museum,” displaying exhibits and artifacts at schools, libraries, senior centers, and other locations throughout Bucks County.

The stone farmhouse dates back to 1716, making it one of the oldest surviving homes in Bucks County, said Mervine, who wrote a book about Boone Farm.

Museum Hours

The museum will be open from:

• Monday-Tuesday — Closed
• Wednesday — Reserved for group tours from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Open to the public from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. (The museum will be closed to the public on Wednesday.)
• Thursday — Reserved for group tours from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The museum will be open to the public from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Friday — Open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Saturday — Open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Sunday — Periodically open for special events

Admission Costs

Admission will be:

• Adults $12
• Seniors & Military $10
• Students (ages 6-18) $7
• Children ages 5-under Free
• AAMBC Members – Free

(African American Museum of Bucks County)