The nearly 66-acre property surrounding Fonthill Castle in Doylestown Township — one of Bucks County’s most recognizable landmarks — is not currently preserved, but efforts are now underway to change that.
According to the Bucks County Herald, township officials, Doylestown Borough and Heritage Conservancy are supporting a Bucks County Historical Society application for a conservation easement that would protect the National Historic Landmark site while maintaining public access.
The easement, if approved through a state grant program, would aim to preserve open space, woodlands and natural features on the property, according to the report.
However, officials noted that a conservation easement does not necessarily prevent all future development, depending on how it is structured. While specific plans tied to the easement remain unclear, the historical society has previously explored broader improvements to the site, including a master plan focused on creating an “integrated environment” combining education, environmental stewardship and public use, according to the report.
The proposal comes amid ongoing scrutiny of the historical society’s recent decisions, including the controversial sale of a separate 24-acre Hart tract in the township for potential townhouse development.
Some have speculated that future plans—such as relocating storage facilities tied to the Mercer Museum — could involve the Fonthill property, though no official plans have been confirmed.
