Michener Unveils New Event Pavilion

Audience members chattered excitedly and smiled at one another as the shades rose methodically Wednesday on an elegant new space in Doylestown.

This was the moment they all had been waiting for.

As the mechanical shades reached their zenith, they revealed the rough stone wall that once enclosed the prisoners of the Bucks County jail. But this time, the stone wall was being viewed through a glass one.

Officials of the Michener Museum unveiled its new event pavilion, a room added on to the existing museum on Pine Street and available for performances and private rentals.

Enclosed by soaring walls of glass on three sides, the new space presents commanding views of the old prison's stone wall and the museum's sculpture garden.

It has been named the Edgar N. Putman Event Pavilion, in honor of the late Bucks County businessman and benefactor, who died in 2008 at age 78. Putman founded Penn Color in Doylestown and grew it, with the help of his son Kevin, into an international success.

"I can't think of a better way for Ed to be remembered in this community than this pavilion," his widow, Keren, told the audience, adding that her husband thought Bucks County "was the greatest place in the world."

Kevin Putman echoed those sentiments, saying, "After seeing this pavilion tonight, I'm certain it would have been his favorite place to entertain."

Museum director Bruce Katsiff thanked the audience - which included everyone from Doylestown Borough Council members Don Berk, Det Ansinn, David Laustsen and Doylestown Mayor Libby White to YMCA board member Lou White to Bucks County Commissioner Charles Martin and Bucks County businessman Herman Silverman - for supporting the museum and the building project.

Katsiff also thanked state Sen. Chuck McIlhinney for helping secure about $2 million in public funding for the building project.

The public will have a chance to see the new space during the museum's Jazz Night on May 19. For more information, visit the Michener's website.