Bucks County Honors Black History With Museum Support

In an act of bipartisan support, the Bucks County Commissioners elevated Black history this week. According to reports, on Wednesday, the commissioners made an official proclamation recognizing Black History Month.

It highlighted progress on what could become a key institution for African American heritage in the county. This is the African American Museum of Bucks County.

“From the arrival of the very first enslaved people from Africa to the African American icons of today. The commemoration and celebration of Black history is essential to enhancing the unity and strength of our nation.” Commissioner Gene DiGirolamo read from the proclamation, reflecting the meeting’s sentiment.

Historic Farmhouse Nears Completion

Central to the county’s Black history initiative is the restoration of a centuries-old property. This will serve as Bucks County’s first permanent African American museum.

The future home of the museum is the nearly 300-year-old Boone Farm. This is a site with ties to the Underground Railroad and early Black settlement. It is located next to Core Creek Park in Middletown Township.

Officials reported that the renovation of the historic farmhouse has been in progress for some time. It is approaching its final phase. According to Bernard Griggs, director of operations for Bucks County General Services and the county’s project lead, the project is now about 85% complete.

The nonprofit museum board is ready to finish the interior work in the coming months. This will set the stage for public opening events.

“The restoration of the farmhouse will not only function as a museum but will also be a living historical landmark for education, reflection, and community connection,” Griggs told local reporters, emphasizing the project’s mission of preservation and public engagement.

A Museum Rooted in Community History

The journey of the African American Museum of Bucks County toward permanence has taken decades. It launching as a mobile museum in 2014. It has since visited schools, libraries, and community venues across the region to share stories of Black Bucks County.

Museum president and executive director Linda Salley attended Wednesday’s meeting for a ceremonial key turnover. She described this milestone as an important moment. Her vision for the museum includes more than exhibits. It also features a research library, rotating educational displays, and community programs that link history with personal experience.

Salley and local historians have pointed out that the Boone Farm site itself reflects both the struggles and contributions of African Americans in the area. Early records connect the property to Underground Railroad activities and later to Black families who found stable work in the region.

These narratives are what the museum intends to preserve and share with visitors of all ages.

County Support and Civic Context

Commissioners noted that the proclamation recognizing Black History Month was timely, given larger civic discussions about how history is represented in public spaces.

This move followed Bucks County’s involvement in an amicus brief supporting a federal lawsuit to restore an exhibit in Philadelphia about enslaved people at The President’s House. Lawmakers framed this action as part of a broader dedication to truthful storytelling.

Commissioner DiGirolamo stated that the county’s actions show that local leadership values an inclusive history. He said, “Today, we acknowledge not only the achievements but also the resilience of individuals whose stories deserve a prominent place in our collective memory.”

The project has already garnered grassroots support. Community cultural institutions like the Gather Place Museum continue to enhance the county’s landscape of Black heritage preservation and education. This is a nonprofit heritage museum operating from a historic African Methodist Episcopal church in Yardley,

Looking Ahead

The construction is nearing completion, and formal opening plans expected soon. The ommunity leaders believe that the African American Museum of Bucks County will become a center for learning, reflection, and cultural celebration.

“We want this to be a place where everyone can gather – a space for healing, understanding, and shared stories,” museum leadership has expressed in previous interviews, emphasizing the institution’s goal of fostering appreciation for the county’s Black history.