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To preserve and protect our natural and historic heritage
 
Heritage Happenings  
December 2017
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Guided Tours of Aldie Mansion
Aldie Mansion
85 Old Dublin Pike
Doylestown, PA 18901

Which local gentleman did William Mercer choose as the model for the
World War I Memorial that is currently located in the center of Doylestown?

Find out this and more during an 
Aldie Mansion guided tour!

Contact Sandy at 215-345-7020 ext. 103 
to schedule a tour. Click HERE for
 more information.
Young Friends Network
Heritage Conservancy is putting together its first-ever Young Friends Network! This network is a dynamic group of young professionals in the area who will support Heritage Conservancy's mission and will serve their community as conservation advocates! If you are interested in learning more, please contact Development Associate Emily Hart at [email protected] or at 
215-345-7020 ext. 107. 
Bristol Marsh Trash Cleanup for 
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Monday, January 15, 2018
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Bristol Marsh Nature Preserve 
Bristol, PA

Help us remove trash at this freshwater tidal marsh for the MLK Day of Service. The more trash we collect, the less that will get washed into our waterways. Last year, over 100 people joined us for this day of service! 
Can you help us top it? 

 Contact Shannon at 215-345-7020 ext. 104 or [email protected] to register, or click HERE for more information.
Historic Walk and Talk
Saturday, January 20, 2018
11:00 AM to 12:30 PM
Historic Honey Hollow Watershed
Solebury Township, PA

Join us for a historic walk through the scenic grounds of the Honey Hollow Watershed and the barn at Bucks County Audubon Society. Learn about the history of the barn and explore its historic treasures and charm! 

Free for members; $10 for non-members. Click HERE for more information, or contact Emily at 215-345-7020 ext. 107 or [email protected] to register.
Business Members' Trivia Night
Thursday, February 15th
Beginning at 6:30 PM
Aldie Mansion
85 Old Dublin Pike
Doylestown, PA 18901

Connect with fellow professionals and have some fun at our Business Members' Trivia Night! Work as a team and learn more about Heritage Conservancy and the history of Aldie Mansion. Light hors d'oeuvres and wine will be provided. 

Click HERE for more information, or contact Emily at 215-345-7020 ext. 107 or [email protected] to register.
Any time of year is perfect for a wedding at historic  
Aldie Mansion!



Visit our
for details.
Thank you to the Fred Beans Family of Dealerships!
L to R: Christopher Chandor (Heritage Conservancy's Chairman of the Board), Beth Beans Gilbert (Vice President for the Fred Beans Family of Dealerships), Linda Cacossa (Heritage Conservancy's Chief Operating Officer), and Jeff Marshall (Heritage Conservancy's President)

Heritage Conservancy recently received a generous donation from a local business corporation. The Fred Beans Family of Dealerships donated $150,000 to the Conservancy's Keeping the Promise (KTP) endowment fund. The KTP fund strengthens Heritage Conservancy's promise to landowners and local residents to protect our natural and historic heritage in perpetuity.

Entering into its 60th anniversary as an organization in 2018, this major donation bestowed upon Heritage Conservancy comes at a time that speaks volumes about the Conservancy's legacy and its impact in this community. Heritage Conservancy has facilitated the preservation of almost 15,000 acres of farmland, forest, watersheds, natural habitats and open space in our region, and it has designated over 600 structures on its Register of Historic Places to recognize the architectural integrity and historic significance of the properties. The Conservancy's mission protects the charming landscapes that make our area unique and draw visitors to admire its beauty, and it safeguards the tapestry of our community.

Preserving land and historic properties is just the first step in Heritage Conservancy's mission. Once preserved, each property requires annual monitoring and maintenance, which comes at a continuous cost. A strong endowment through the KTP fund is the backbone of the organization.
Recognizing that Heritage Conservancy's mission provides a better quality of life for everyone, the Fred Beans Family of Dealerships chose to support the organization that benefits the community of which it is a part.

"Fred Beans believes that his success can be attributed to his practice of giving back and teaching others to give as well. That's why the Fred Beans Charitable Fund was created. It supports initiatives and organizations of all sizes in the hopes of lending a helping hand to those who need it, " says Beth Beans Gilbert, Vice President for the Fred Beans Family of Dealerships. "We love to have the ability to give this gift to Heritage Conservancy to preserve the Bucks County community."

"This major gift from the Fred Beans Family of Dealerships symbolizes Fred Beans' understanding of the necessity of Heritage Conservancy's work and how it makes a positive difference in our community. It is a dramatic affirmation of his commitment to the community that he serves," says Jeff Marshall, President of Heritage Conservancy. "A true business leader, Fred knows it is crucial to give back and put a stake in the ground."

With support from individuals and companies like the Fred Beans Family of Dealerships, Heritage Conservancy can look forward to another 60 years of keeping its promise to protect the landscapes and the quality of life that our community and future generations will continue to enjoy.
We're in AWE of LBEST 
Protection of our special places comes down to grassroots conservation efforts. With a grant from the William Penn Foundation through the Alliance for Watershed Education (AWE), Heritage Conservancy is engaging the residents of lower Bucks County in supporting the Lower Bucks Environmental Stewardship Team (LBEST). This grant will foster effective engagement of the community in raising awareness of the importance of stewarding these vital natural resources. The team will be involved in hands-on efforts to monitor, enhance, and protect rare or threatened animal and plant species. 

Heritage Conservancy launched LBEST this past August. LBEST is a core group of passionate volunteer community members and partner organizations working together to support the health of the Bristol Marsh and the Delaware River Watershed.

Specifically, the activities and objectives of LBEST include: involving the children and adults of lower Bucks County in on the ground conservation work; empower LBEST by demonstrating that they can contribute positively to conservation, and to educate participants about the natural history, ecology, and conservation needs the region. 
 
Community outreach in 2018 will include an Earth Day educational open house in May and an LBEST celebration to mark the group's one-year anniversary, which will tangibly connect attendees with the Bristol Marsh and the Delaware River through kayaking and hikes.
 
We look forward to sharing more with you in 2018! To join LBEST and be a part of making a positive impact along the Delaware River, contact us at 
215-345-7020. 
Happy holidays to all
Photo by Mike Maney

Heritage Conservancy kicked off the holiday season on Sunday, December 3rd, with its 29th annual Christmas at Aldie fundraiser. More than 200 guests filled the halls of Aldie Mansion to rally behind the preservation of our area's natural and historic heritage. With a delicious meal prepared by Jeffrey A. Miller Catering and enthusiastic supporters who share a passion for conservation, the evening celebrated Heritage Conservancy's conservation successes within our community.
 
Aldie Mansion was the original home of William Mercer, the younger brother of Henry Mercer, and his wife Martha. Almost a century ago, Aldie Mansion was the scene of lavish parties hosted by the Mercers. By the 1970s, after the Mercers' ownership, the property fell into disrepair. Thanks to community support and adaptive reuse by Heritage Conservancy, Aldie Mansion was rehabilitated in the early '90s and brought back to its original grandeur. This historic setting served as the perfect backdrop to emphasize the significance of Heritage Conservancy's mission.
 
With a whimsical and creative vision for décor, the Christmas at Aldie volunteer committee transformed Aldie Mansion into a magical winter wonderland. The committee chose decorations that helped to highlight how truly beautiful nature is while encouraging sustainability. This decision saved the Conservancy money and helped to reduce its environmental footprint. Much of the holly and greenery in the centerpieces and on wreaths as well as the 16-foot-tall Christmas tree in Aldie Mansion's Great Hall were from Heritage Conservancy's preserved properties.
 
Aldie Mansion's festive décor set the stage for holiday cheer and excitement while cocktail hour brought new friends together with old ones. Afterward, guests retired to the ballroom for a gourmet dinner followed by a live auction and a focus on Heritage Conservancy's mission of preserving and protecting our natural and historic heritage.
 
Photo by Mike Maney

Christmas at Aldie also served as a kickoff to a milestone anniversary for Heritage Conservancy: 2018 marks the Conservancy's 60th year serving this community. A clever video presented after dinner promoted the organization's 60th anniversary celebration in June.
 
"This evening is extra special because Heritage Conservancy is embarking on its 60th anniversary in this coming new year. Your support here at Christmas at Aldie helps us to continue our legacy in this wonderful community," said Linda Cacossa, Chief Operating Officer for Heritage Conservancy.
 
To close the evening, the crowd was treated to holiday entertainment provided by Central Bucks East High School Select Choir. Many guests joined in the merriment and sang along with the choir in carol before going on their joyful way.
 
Guests of Christmas at Aldie went away with a deeper understanding of the importance of Heritage Conservancy's work in our community. Proceeds from Christmas at Aldie benefit Heritage Conservancy's mission of preserving and protecting our natural and historic heritage.

To view more photos from the event, click HERE.
 
Heritage Conservancy extends special gratitude to the Christmas at Aldie sponsors. Presenting Sponsors: Cross Keys Place Shopping Center, Fox Rothschild LLP, Jeffrey A. Miller Catering, PennColor, The Thompson Organization; Cocktail Hour Sponsor: Eastburn & Gray, P.C.; Supporting Sponsors: Eiseman Roofing and Construction Company, Inc., Fulton Bank, Univest-Banking, Insurance, Investments, and Wilmington Trust/M&T Bank; Participating Sponsors: BNY Mellon Wealth Management, Brooks & Barber Tree Management, Bucks County Orthopedic Specialists, Covenant Bank, Dear Garden Associates, Inc., Feeney's Wholesale Nursery, Inc., Langan Engineering and Environmental Services, Max Spann Real Estate & Auction Co., Phillips & Donovan Architects, LLC, Pritchard, Bieler, Gruver & Willison, P.C., Solid Products, LLC, and Wildlife Conservation and Game Management, LLC.
We're looking forward to an exciting 2018!

With a new year come new possibilities! Here are some Heritage Conservancy happenings to look forward to in 2018:  
  • Our 60th anniversary celebration on June 14th
  • An educational program to supplement The Wind in the Willow of Bucks County
  • A new look for our e-newsletter
  • Another great lineup of musical talent for Concerts in the Garden
  • More conservation successes
Stay tuned throughout the year for news on this and more!