Commissioners Break Ground For African American Museum Of Bucks County

MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — The Bucks County Commissioners on Wednesday broke ground for the museum's future home at the Boone Farm in Middletown Township.

They were joined by leaders of the museum, including Linda Salley, the president and executive director of the museum, who has led the effort to establish a museum dedicated to Bucks County's African American history.

“We are excited about this day. This could not have happened without all of you. And we are truly going to make Bucks County proud,” said Salley. “We have been in existence since 2014. It’s been a long journey but this journey is not over. This is just a new phase in the journey. The real work is going to happen after this day.”

Bob Harvie, who chairs the county commissioners, noted that there have been “many years of struggle to move this place from what it was to what it’s going to be,” but added that “within a short time we’re going to have a wonderful addition to our county.”

The effort to turn the farm property into a functioning museum has been inching forward since 2020 when the commissioners agreed to lease the site to the museum for $1 a year.

"At this time of year when we're supposed to be giving thanks, I am truly so thankful to see this project continuing to move forward," said Commissioner Vice Chair Diane Ellis-Marseglia.

"The African American Museum of Bucks County does a tremendous job educating Bucks County residents about history that far too often goes overlooked," she added, "and I am so excited to see the work they can do once settled in their permanent home."

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 the county.

“Bucks County is one of the oldest counties in this country, but when we look at our history we see very little of our African-American community that has been with us from the very beginning as we grew, as we became an economic force,” said Ellis-Marseglia. “The only history that most of us
have seen is what artists have put in paintings. That’s why this is so important today because we lack that full and complete picture of our full history in this county.

“This beautiful area, this building untouched, I feel like it’s been waiting for a project just like this to happen, a project that will chronicle the most terrible and mighty history of the African American movement from the beginnings of this country to Boone Farm,” she said.

Marseglia, as a former Middletown Township Supervisor, and former Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick had worked over the years to find a use for the Boone Farm property.

Then one day, Marseglia said she ran into the “magic of Linda Salley.” From that point on, they had a path to follow and a mission to complete.

“Today, as we break ground, I remember that we learn from history. So everyone of us today gets to be part of the future because we are going to willingly and courageously honor the past here,” said Marseglia.

In recent months, the project to renovate the existing farmhouse – located at the southwest corner of Core Creek Park – has taken major steps forward when the commissioners approved a $2.39 million contract with L.J. Paolella Construction, Inc., for restoration work and a separate $201,000 contract with Hirschberg Mechanical to perform plumbing and fire protection work at the site.

Commissioner Gene DiGiralamo called the groundbreaking “historic” and said “this project is one that everyone who lives in Bucks County can be proud of.” He thanked Salley and her museum directors for their hard work and persistence in making the project possible. “You should be extremely proud,” he told Salley.

When work is complete, the museum will have a safe, usable facility to outfit as it needs.

To help with the funding, State Senator-elect Frank Farry announced a quarter of a million dollar state grant, which he and State Senator Tommy Tomlinson helped secure. The money will be used to help renovate the building into the museum.

“Having grown up in Langhorne, I was raised around two great African American churches. It was part of my upbringing in this community, but not everyone has had that experience. This museum will bring that experience to everyone,” he said.

Funding for the project has also come from Bucks County in addition to substantial contributions from Parx Casino and Sesame Place.

Built in the early 1700s, the property operated as a farm until the mid-20th century, and was a source of employment for many African Americans who moved to the area during the Great Migration.

Rehabilitation of the farmhouse was an aspiration of the late Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick during his time as a county commissioner. The extensive upgrades it required, however, left the effort on indefinite hold.

Site improvements are likely to begin in the next few weeks, with building renovations expected to start sometime in the new year. Construction work is estimated to take about 12 months.