Shirley Lee Corsey (center) is the Executive Director of Gather Place in Yardley.

The Historic African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church of Yardley was founded in 1877 and was added to the Heritage Conservancy's Register of Historic Places in the 1980s.

More recently, it has been reborn as Gather Place, a museum honoring the history of the church and of the African American community it anchored in Yardley. Its dynamic Executive Director Shirley Lee Corsey has championed the church's reclamation and turned it into a community center with performances and exhibits that tell the story of Yardley, its people, and its broader role in history.

Read more...

Families gathered after school at Keystone Elementary to decorate rocks for the nearby trails.

This month, Heritage Conservancy hosted a Kindness Rocks community event at Keystone Elementary in Bristol Township.

We had an excellent turnout, and together we transformed ordinary rocks into vibrant canvases of joy. Kids used their imaginations to paint uplifting messages and whimsical designs.

The rocks now decorate the edge of the trail at Heritage Conservancy's Croydon Woods Preserve, luring visitors into the beauty of nature and perhaps making hikers and other visitors pause and smile on their expeditions. It is part of our effort to invite the local community to enjoy these trails.

Quakertown Swamp is one of two Heritage Conservancy preserves where scientists will study the local turkey population.

Heritage Conservancy is assisting the Pennsylvania Game Commission in the largest study of the local native turkey population ever conducted. We will help scientists to trap, tag, track, and study turkeys on a couple of our private nature preserves.

A scientist will take measurements, collect data, and test the birds for common diseases. They will log feather, wing, and beard measurements, weigh the birds, and tag them for tracking before releasing them. With GPS monitoring, they hope to collect data on the birds' movement, location, and survival.

Of course, no turkeys will be harmed in this work, but biologists will collect vital information to better understand and track the local turkey population. The project will continue into May or June.

Community members and friends studied William Mercer's art in Aldie Mansion.

Heritage Conservancy recently welcomed guests for a talk on the artistic work and legacy of William Mercer.

The presentation examined the influence his travels had on his work and shared examples of the styles that made their way into his mosaics and cement work — in fine art and his fountains and garden pieces.

There was a lively conversation about the Mercer brothers and their parallel artist journeys, along with a walk through Aldie Mansion to admire William’s work, including fireplaces, busts, and reliefs with woodland themes.

Join upcoming Heritage Conservancy events.

Bill and his wife Perri traveling in Scotland.

“Everyone in our communities should have natural lands and open spaces near them,” says Bill Kunze, Heritage Conservancy's President and CEO. “We all need what these lands offer, including clean air and water, inspiring views, and benefits for body, mind, and spirit.”

Bill brings his childhood love of nature and the experience from a decade at Nature Conservancy to his work. As he moves into his third year at the helm, Bill is thinking about the impact of land conservation on climate change.

Read about Bill's vision for the future...

“Working with Heritage Conservancy has been a true partnership. Heritage Conservancy balances its mission to protect and care for the lands under its stewardship with the understanding that those ends can be furthered by the education of and communication with the owners of that land.

We have gained a new perspective on the broader issue of land preservation in our community. Now instead of merely occupying the land on which an easement is held, we have decided to support Heritage Conservancy as members and donors. We look forward to our own continued education, and watching Heritage Conservancy strive to achieve its goals.”

- Jeff and Jessica Wong

Thank you to the following Platinum Business Leaders for supporting Heritage Conservancy's mission and making accomplishments possible through their generosity:

And to the following Business Partners for their new and renewed support:

Mid Penn Bank

Nejad Fine Oriental Rugs

Peddler's Village Association

Thompson Organization

Warren Weiss Insurance Agency, Inc.

Click HERE for a full list of Heritage Conservancy's Business Partners.

Want to join next month's ranks? Click HERE to become a Business Partner today!

Sleeping Forest Hike: Guided Walk

Saturday, March 2nd from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Experience the serene atmosphere of our Fuller-Pursell Preserve during the winter months, when many trees are in a dormant state. Register here.

Pique your curiosity and make new discoveries during this guided walk. Learn more...

Historic Window Repair Workshop

Monday, March 11th from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM

Join our historic experts at Aldie Mansion for a Historic Window Repair Workshop! Register here.

The workshop will include a hands-on demonstration of various stages of disrepair and repair techniques for historic windows, including epoxy-based wood repair, glazing, and painting. Learn more...

Swamp Tromp

Saturday, March 23rd from 6:30 PM to 8:15 PM

This captivating and educational family activity night delves into the fascinating world of amphibians! Register here...

Led by Kyle Loucks, regional coordinator for the Pennsylvania Amphibian and Reptile Survey (PARS), you will embark on an immersive journey to discover the secrets of these remarkable creatures. Learn more...

Spring Garden Cleanup

Tuesday, March 26th from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Come to Aldie Mansion and help prepare the grounds for the spring. We will clear out the gardens, cut down ornamental grasses, and get them ready for mulching.

Your work will aid in the preservation and protection of this historic property and its grounds. Learn more...

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