Henry Mercer

Henry Mercer, an artifact collector, or better yet, a genuine trash collector. Previously educated at Harvard Law School and another prestigious law school, Henry later exited the law career to further his interests in ancient American artifacts. With his mind screaming towards the era of industrialization, believing it was corrupting and destroying the valuable dying culture left in ancient artifacts and pottery.

Employed at the University of Philadelphia Museum, Henry Mercer was appointed the position of the Curator of American and Prehistoric Archeology. Becoming more involved with the position lined up for her, he believed the industrialization of America was destroying everything ancient and unique about the country, furthering his search for American artifacts lost in a accelerating society.

A celebrated tile-maker, Henry Mercer's most extensive collection of tile mosaics is located in the Pennsylvania state capital building in Harrisburg. A series of 400 tile-mosaics line the floor
in the building, creating a time line covering the extensive history of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and other important occasions stranded in the shallows of our fast-paced history.

The Henry Mercer Museum located in our own Philadelphia contains a collection of more than 50,000 tools and artifacts. I'll make sure to round up some students for an educational trip one day.