Bucks Museum To Unlock Artifact Mysteries In YouTube Series

DOYLESTOWN, PA — So, what exactly is "The Forbidden Pickle Grabber," and can someone please explain what "Pokey McHotpants" is all about?

You'll find the answers to those two questions and more when the Mercer Museum and The Dhody Research Institute (DRI) team up to ask the question, "What’s That For?" in a YouTube series that blends history, science, and humor into a fast-paced guessing game that unlocks the mystery behind some puzzling artifacts.

The series, which airs on Dhody's YouTube channel, is set to launch its second season on January 20, featuring eight episodes that will take viewers inside the Bucks County museum's medical and scientific collections to reveal what some of its more unusual artifacts were used for.

“Each episode begins with an artifact from the museum collection, and the audience is challenged to guess its purpose before the big reveal,” said Anna Dhody, executive director of the Dhody Research Institute and creator of the "What's That For?" series. “It’s a mix of mystery, history, and playfulness that makes learning irresistible.”

"History Meets Humor Season 2" will take viewers inside Henry Mercer's museum, which provides the mystery objects as well as the striking backdrop for filming. Each episode presents intriguing artifacts and forgotten innovations that leave audiences asking, "What’s that for?"

This season features eight all-new episodes, each with its own quirky title — from The Forbidden Pickle Grabber to Pokey McHotpants. With expert commentary, engaging storytelling, high-quality production, and a generous dose of questionable puns, "What’s That For?" transforms puzzling artifacts into accessible adventures, according to Dhody.

(Dhody Research Institute/Anne Hoskins, photographer)

(Dhody Research Institute/Anne Hoskins, photographer)

The artifacts highlighted in each YouTube episode will be on display inside the Mercer Museum’s historic Central Court and will change on a bi-weekly basis, as new episodes are released.

"This season pairs some unusual artifacts from our museum collection with rarely seen documents from our research library," said Annie Halliday, Director of Library and Archives for the Mercer Museum Research Library.

"Combining these resources has led to some fun, new interpretations of the history of these objects."
Expanding Curiosity Building on the success of Season 1, which reached tens of thousands of viewers across platforms, the new season is designed for audiences of all ages — from middle school students
to lifelong learners. With its short, engaging episodes, the series is ideal for classrooms, museums, and anyone with a curious streak.

According to Dhody, "What’s That For?" was inspired by the popular "Guess What’s on the Curator’s Desk?" video series she created while serving as curator at the Mütter Museum. “That project showed me how much people enjoy the challenge of solving a mystery object,” she said. “But we also listened to feedback from teachers and fans who wanted the reveal in the same episode and multiple-choice options to make it easier to use in classrooms. What’s That For? takes those lessons to heart, making the series both fun and educational.”

Watch Season 2

"We are excited to participate in this second season of What's That For?" said Cory Amsler, Senior Director of Collections, Exhibits and Historical Properties for the Mercer Museum. “This series offers another opportunity to reach new audiences, in a fun way, and to showcase the incredible depth and enduring educational value of our collections."

What’s That For? Season 2 premieres January 20 on the Dhody Research Institute’s YouTube channel and will also be featured on the Mercer Museum’s social media platforms.

For more information, visit www.dhodyresearchinstitute.org and www.mercermuseum.org
.