Arts & Culture
Nurturing the Arts
Bucks County is renown for nurturing the arts for over a century. New Hope, Yardley, Morrisville and Bristol are still hotbeds for the arts.
With two professional theaters and one community theater as anchors, each community nurtures the arts in their own fashion. Listed below are organizations that are dedicated to supporting various forms of the arts in the four communities.
New Hope
Free Library of New Hope and Solebury
The Free Library of New Hope and Solebury is located on 93 W. Ferry Street at the intersection of Bridge Street.
Hours of operation at are Monday-Wednesday: 10 am-7 pm; Thursday-Saturday: 10 am-5 pm; closed Sunday.
Visitors are welcome to check out the newly renovated and expanded Free Library of New Hope and Solebury. Learn about local history and see artwork by local artists. Stay up-to-date on their Facebook page.
Take a moment to check out the mural on the staircase to the lower level children’s library. 
Remember libraries offer free wi-fi and a place to recharge electronics for trail users who need a quiet break.
Bucks County Playhouse
- Address & Phone
- 70 South Main Street • New Hope, PA 18938 • 215.862.2121
Bucks County Playhouse
- Address & Phone
- 70 South Main Street • New Hope, PA 18938 • 215.862.2121
- Website
- bcptheater.org
The Bucks County Playhouse is a world class theater in the heart of New Hope.
The history of the theater is so colorful and filled with well-known actors and actresses who have performed on its stage. The Theater’s website has a fascinating history of the theater and the colorful performers who have graced it.
Today, the Bucks County Playhouse serves as a focal point to the revitalization that is underway in New Hope. The Playhouse itself is expanding and growing their operations to include the outdoor cafe area, surrounding buildings and so much more. With each season, they seem to expand the experience for theater-goers. Although the Bucks County Playhouse started as a summer stock theater, they now offer performances year-round. From touring performers to local high school film-makers, the Playhouse always has something happening. Take a moment to explore their website to learn about upcoming shows, educational opportunities, and how to support this wonderful theater in New Hope.
Box Office
Buy tickets online, or for individual tickets, subscriptions, or group sales call (215) 862-2121
Bucks County Playhouse Box Office Hours:
Mondays: Box Office Open by Phone from 12 – 5:00 pm Call (215) 862-2121*
*Or stop by the New Hope Visitor’s Center for in person sales.
Tuesday – Saturday: 12 pm to 5 pm
Sunday: 12 pm to 5 pm (Performance days ONLY)**
**tickets available at New Hope Visitors Center.
PNC Arts Alive Outdoor Sculpture Project
- Address & Phone
- 2 Stockton Ave #A • New Hope, PA 18907 • (215) 862-9606
PNC Arts Alive Outdoor Sculpture Project
- Address & Phone
- 2 Stockton Ave #A • New Hope, PA 18907 • (215) 862-9606
- Website
- www.sculptureproject.org
The PNC Arts Alive Outdoor Sculpture Project Is A Free And Accessible Public Art Display Creating An Artistic Gateway Into The Borough Of New Hope, PA.
Presently, the Sculpture Project consists of 12 sculptures. Begun by New Hope Arts, Inc. in 2003, the organization continues its sculpture mission with the support and partnership of The PNC Foundation. Under the The PNC Arts Alive umbrella, the program has expanded to include four new pieces through summer and fall of 2015.
Print the map of the sculptures for your own tour of the PNC Arts Alive Outdoor Sculpture Project!
New Hope & Ivyland Railroad
- Address & Phone
- 32 West Bridge Street • New Hope, PA 18938 • 215.862.2332
New Hope & Ivyland Railroad
- Address & Phone
- 32 West Bridge Street • New Hope, PA 18938 • 215.862.2332
- Website
- www.newhoperailroad.com
Travel back in time aboard a train.
The New Hope & Ivyland Railroad in New Hope offers a variety of options for excursions. From hourly rides to leisurely Evening Star Dinner Trains, they offer something for the entire family. Kids will love the Wildflower Express and Firefly Express. The Song & Story Hour Express and the Family Dinner Trains are also popular for families.
Adults may prefer the Grapevine Express. Join them for a Romantic Wine and Cheese Excursion at 5:00 pm on Saturdays and Sundays, May 28 thru October 30. Ride the rails in first class comfort in their beautifully restored, air conditioned Parlor Car for a 50 minute tour while enjoying fine cheeses, toasted crackers and exclusive vintages from various regions. Each month a different region will be featured.
Bucks County Children’s Museum
- Address & Phone
- 500 Union Square Drive • New Hope, PA 18938 • 215.693.1290
Bucks County Children’s Museum
- Address & Phone
- 500 Union Square Drive • New Hope, PA 18938 • 215.693.1290
- Website
- buckskids.org
The Bucks County Children’s Museum’s mission says it all: The Bucks County Children’s Museum’s mission is to be a fun, interactive and educational environment for children, parents and schools with exhibits that reflect Bucks County’s unique history and culture.
What ages of children will enjoy the museum?
Their exhibits are designed for young children from 12 months (walking) up to 7 years of age who enjoy pretend play! The museum also has an Exploration for All Program which helps children with disabilities prepare for and experience the museum in a way that works for them.
Check out the calendar of events for a variety of fun activities!
(With several exhibits about the Delaware Canal, Landmark Towns is very partial to this museum. Check out the animated lock that kids can interact with opening and closing the locks in the photo. )
Everything you need to know to plan a delightful time is at the Bucks County Museum’s website.
Open Tuesday – Friday, 10 AM – 4 PM;
Saturday, 10 AM – 5 PM; Sunday, 12 PM – 5 PM;
Closed Monday (Except for some school holidays—see Calendar for details.)
New Hope Arts
- Address & Phone
- 2 Stockton Ave, 2nd floor • New Hope, PA 18938 • 215.862.9606
New Hope Arts
- Address & Phone
- 2 Stockton Ave, 2nd floor • New Hope, PA 18938 • 215.862.9606
- Website
- www.newhopearts.org
New Hope Arts is dedicated to furthering the heritage of New Hope as a center for art and artists. New Hope Arts supports artists by fostering opportunities and providing space to create, collaborate and present their work. NHA offers residents and visitors of the region access to a broad array of contemporary visual, performing and literary arts.
New Hope Arts, Inc. is an incorporated non-profit arts center that serves the important purpose of showcasing the work of contemporary artists in the Lambertville/New Hope area and Delaware Valley region. We seek to engage and enrich our local community through a broad array of programming that furthers the heritage of New Hope as a vital regional arts center. New Hope Arts presents four major group exhibitions annually across a broad array of media – sculpture, wood, painting, fine artisan crafts, and new media installations. In many cases, the work of local presenting artists would otherwise not be seen in a professional, public setting. New Hope Arts encourages emerging artists and seeks to introduce new audiences to their work.
New Hope Arts was established as a small community based arts organization by Robin Larsen in 2002. Robin developed innovative programs including an annual sculpture show, outdoor sculpture installations and a Wood show. She envisioned building an important regional arts center that would be integral to reclaiming New Hope/Lambertville as a top national arts destination.
Yardley
Yardley Farmers Market
- Address
- 25 S. Main Street • Buttonwood Park • Yardley, PA 19047
Yardley Farmers Market
- Address
- 25 S. Main Street • Buttonwood Park • Yardley, PA 19047
- Website
- www.yardleyfarmersmarket.com
SATURDAY MORNING MAY 7 THROUGH OCTOBER 1
Join the Yardley Farmers Market on Saturday mornings from 9 AM to 1 PM in Buttonwood Park in beautiful downtown Yardley Borough, Bucks County PA. Take a look at our Vendor Info page for links to our Vendors.
Artists of Yardley
- Address & Phone
- 949 Mirror Lake Rd • Yardley, PA 19067 • (215) 493-1205
Artists of Yardley
- Address & Phone
- 949 Mirror Lake Rd • Yardley, PA 19067 • (215) 493-1205
- Website
- www.artistsofyardley.org
Artists of Yardley (AOY) is a non-profit organization, dedicated to nurturing the creative spirit of the community by educating and encouraging individuals to experience, appreciate and share in the arts. Established in 2004, we continue to grow with over 250 members, exhibiting professionals and all others interested in the visual arts. In 2010, AOY adopted the historic Janney House on Patterson Farm in Yardley, PA as their new home and art center. Located in the heart of Bucks County, the panoramic views of the surrounding farmland complements the organization’s aesthetic tenor.
The AOY offers classes in all media, weekend workshops and summer camps for children and young adults. Our exciting and innovative programs are taught by professional-level instructors.
Throughout the year, AOY hosts a vast array of opportunities for artists to bring their work to the public, including juried and non- juried shows along with indoor and outdoor fund-raising and social events.
The Artists of Yardley invites the community to participate. Be involved in this unique organization! Our monthly gatherings are lively and informative, a time to hear about what is going on with the group, discuss goals and plans, meet and get to know fellow artists. Meetings are open to the public and held in the AOY Art Center, 949 Mirror Lake Road, Yardley, PA on the first Wednesday of each month at 7:00 PM.
Garden of Reflection 9-11 Memorial
- Address & Phone
- 1950 Woodside Rd • Yardley, PA 19067 • 267-274-1100
Garden of Reflection 9-11 Memorial
- Address & Phone
- 1950 Woodside Rd • Yardley, PA 19067 • 267-274-1100
- Website
- www.9-11memorialgarden.org
The Garden of Reflection 9-11 Memorial was created to remember and honor our loved ones and all 2,973 killed on September 11, 2001. It is situated in Memorial Park amid the natural beauty of Historical Bucks County farmland in Lower Makefield Township.
The Memorial designed by Yardley architect Liuba Lashchyk AIA invites us on a walking Memorial Journey symbolizing “After Darkness…Light”. This Memorial Journey leads from sorrowful reminders of tragedy and grief towards luminous symbols of hope, Peace and Celebration of Life.
Yardley Community Centre
- Address & Phone
- 64 South Main Street • Yardley, PA 19063 • (215) 493-0258
Yardley Community Centre
- Address & Phone
- 64 South Main Street • Yardley, PA 19063 • (215) 493-0258
- Website
- www.yardleycommunitycentre.com
The Yardley Community Centre is a non-profit corporation, owned by stockholders and maintained and operated by a 13 member board of directors. A few years ago, the board took on the enormous task of restoring this structure. Numerous local cultural organizations hold events at the Yardley Community Centre.
History
The Yardley Community Centre has provided a meeting place for the residents of Yardley, Lower Makefield and Morrisville since 1851. The rear portion of the building is the original structure. This served as a meeting place for “The Sons of Temperance”, and also was used as the private school in Yardley. Tuition for this school was 35 cents per week.
In 1872, one of the first Odd Fellows Halls in the country was established in this building. The Centre was enlarged in 1878 to allow church services, fire company suppers, theatre productions and other events to take place in Yardley.
The “Cob-Web Theatre” was created in the early 1930’s when the hall was leased by Nat Burnes. The Yardley Community Centre Association purchased this building and incorporated it as a non- profit corporation in 1940.
Bucks County Performing Arts Center
- Address & Phone
- 1140 Edgewood Road • Yardley, PA 19067 • 215 - 493 - 3010
Bucks County Performing Arts Center
- Address & Phone
- 1140 Edgewood Road • Yardley, PA 19067 • 215 - 493 - 3010
- Website
- www.bcpac.org
In 1985, Bucks County Performing Arts Center was recognized by the National Recreation and Park Association and was honored with the Mid-Atlantic Regional Council Dorothy Mullen Arts & Humanities Award for a program that exemplified outstanding efforts in the arts among park and recreation departments. Twenty nine years later, the organization has grown in numerous directions.
Concerts are held in the historic Yardley Community Centre, mostly on Saturday evenings, and the organization continues to bring top notch performers to its stage. In 1996, BCPAC established a vital partnership with the Pennsbury School District’s “Pennsbury Partners Program (PPP)”.
For the last 16 years, BCPAC has assisted Pennsbury’s students in fulfilling the National Standards for Arts Education by bringing artists into the classroom. Bringing professional artists into the school environment enables students to recognize the arts as an authentic means of expression as part of classroom learning. Since 1996, over $300,000 in grant money has been raised for both the Arts in Education Program at the school district, and the local concert series at the Yardley Community Centre.
Morrisville
Morrisville Free Library
Morrisville Free Library is located at 300 N. Pennsylvania Avenue in Morrisville. Located in a small former church, this community hub is filled with resources and, of course, books for the local community. A member of the Bucks County Library system, the local library is a gateway to all the resources, including online access, available throughout the County.
For local visitors, the local library gives a look behind the scenes at the vibrancy of the community through its programs, location and cultural assets found within.
Libraries are also good locations for trail users looking for free wi-fi and a place to recharge electronic equipment. Visitors may access the computers twice a day for an hour each session. Use may be restricted to one hour if demand is high. If you do not have a Library Card, you may use a guest pass to access the computers.
The Morrisville Free Library’s website is at www.buckslib.org. The library also has a busy Facebook page with events and programs. Just search for “Morrisville Free Library.”
Hours
- Monday-Thursday: 10:30 am to 8 pm
- Friday: Closed
- Saturday: 10 am to 5 pm
- Sunday: Closed
For more details, contact the library by phone at 215-295-4850.
The Actors’ NET of Bucks County
- Address & Phone
- 635 North Delmorr Avenue • Morrisville, PA 19067 • 215-295-3694
The Actors’ NET of Bucks County
- Address & Phone
- 635 North Delmorr Avenue • Morrisville, PA 19067 • 215-295-3694
- Website
- actorsnetbucks.org
The Actors’ NET of Bucks County was founded in 1996 as an actor-driven, not-for-profit regional theatre company — run by actors, for actors. We strive to attract the Delaware Valley’s best non-union talent to work and grow together to meet the challenges of a diverse repertoire.
Productions range from modern classics and musicals to Shakespeare and new and original works, each designed to encourage actors to enhance their skills and artistry while appealing to and expanding the theatrical tastes of audiences of all ages, incomes, and cultural backgrounds.
We further seek to celebrate the region’s historical significance by presenting theatrical pieces which illuminate the issues and personalities that have helped shape our region, commonwealth and nation. Through staging quality shows and providing training to actors of all ages, we are committed to keeping alive the best traditions of the American theatre.
As resident theater company at the intimate 85-seat Heritage Center (which The NET’s corps of volunteers converted from municipal garage into performance space), Actors’ NET enjoys a unique partnership with the Borough of Morrisville. The theater attracts countless visitors to the borough throughout the year — many of whom frequent local restaurants and other business establishments.
The NET also provides training for actors of all ages — and since 1999 has been running a popular four-week musical theatre program for students ages 7 – 12 and 13 – 17. Called “Summer Stars,” upon completion of the instruction in acting, singing and dance the students perform full length shows custom-written to ensure there are no bit roles and everyone has his and her opportunity to shine. Over the years, a number of these students have gone on to careers in the performing arts, including regional theatre, Broadway and into the music industry.
Bristol
Bristol Riverside Theater
- Address & Phone
- 120 Radcliffe Street • Bristol, PA 18990 • 215-785-0100
Bristol Riverside Theater
- Address & Phone
- 120 Radcliffe Street • Bristol, PA 18990 • 215-785-0100
- Website
- www.brtstage.org
“Bristol Riverside Theater is dedicated to being a premiere regional theatre for Bucks County and surrounding communities. We believe theatre has an essential contribution to make to our quality of life. OUR MISSION IS: to engage audiences and artists alike with exceptional performances, inspired writing and superior productions that motivate us to think harder, to feel more deeply, to laugh more joyfully, and to reflect on ourselves and the world in which we live.”
Bristol Riverside Theatre (BRT) is a professional regional theatre in the historic district of Bristol Borough. The theatre, located in a renovated movie house, combines the excitement of a large stage with the intimacy of a 300-seat theater, along with outstanding lighting and sound technology. Since 1986, BRT has brought consistently acclaimed professional theater to Bucks County and maintained a long-term commitment to finding and developing new plays.
BRT is the recipient of over 81 nominations for the Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Theater, given annually by Theatre Philadelphia.
Now in its 29th season, the theatre has grown to produce over 200 performances every year, including five Mainstage productions, three presented events, a summer music fest series, a play reading series, a Christmas concert, and a summer camp every year. BRT has produced 135 works, premiered 23 plays and musicals, and developed international touring and producing relationships.
The Mill Arts Collective
- Address & Phone
- 447 Mill St. • Bristol, PA 19007 • 224-828-0637
The Mill Arts Collective
- Address & Phone
- 447 Mill St. • Bristol, PA 19007 • 224-828-0637
- Website
- www.themillartscollective.com
The Mill is a shared studio space where artists who are serious about their craft can come and go freely and create in a community environment.
It is a place of creative proximity where the potential for dialogue, giving and receiving feedback, and drawing inspiration from others is possible.
Learn more at their website.
The Gallery at Lower Bucks Campus
- Address & Phone
- Bucks County Community College – Lower Bucks Campus • 1304 Veterans Hwy • Bristol, PA 19007 • 267.685.4801
The Gallery at Lower Bucks Campus
- Address & Phone
- Bucks County Community College – Lower Bucks Campus • 1304 Veterans Hwy • Bristol, PA 19007 • 267.685.4801
- Website
- www.bucks.edu
The Gallery at Lower Bucks Campus of the Bucks County Community College offers accessible and affordable cultural opportunities to the lower Bucks County community, increases visibility and awareness of the arts and local artists and raises resources for Bucks County Community College and its students.
All of our exhibitions are open to individual artists and artist groups.
Check the website for details about participating in a show and for a list of current and upcoming shows.
Margaret R. Grundy Memorial Library
- Address & Phone
- 680 Radcliffe Street • Bristol, PA 19007 • 215-788-7891
Margaret R. Grundy Memorial Library
- Address & Phone
- 680 Radcliffe Street • Bristol, PA 19007 • 215-788-7891
- Website
- www.grundylibrary.org
The Margaret R. Grundy Memorial Library is located on the banks of the Delaware River in historic Bristol Borough, Pennsylvania. Open to the public, this full service library serves as a bustling community center offering information to community members and visitors alike with exceptional, personalized service.
Its professional and knowledgeable staff make this an ideal place for families, researchers, job seekers, and many others to work, play, visit, and enjoy. It offers a place for quiet contemplation, group meetings, leisure reading, listening and viewing, and informative and fun programs for all ages. The library provides free access to the internet through computers and a wireless network, which is available both inside the library and outside on the grounds. Its special collections include local history and genealogy materials, job and career resources, a visitor center, and a nonprofit resource center.
Centre for the Arts
- Address & Phone
- 308 Mill Street • Bristol, PA 19007 • 267-251-2538
Centre for the Arts
- Address & Phone
- 308 Mill Street • Bristol, PA 19007 • 267-251-2538
- Website
- www.facebook.com
Located in the heart of Bristol’s business district, we are a vibrant and unique art gallery for local and regional artists. As part of the Cultural Corridor, the Centre For the Arts promotes artistic achievement of all kinds and annually inducts an artist into the Centre For the Arts Hall of Fame. Gift shop on premises and studio space and a reception room available for artistic, corporate and social events.
Days & Hours of Operation:Sun 12 pm-3 pm, Mon 12 pm-6 pm, Closed Tuesday, Wed 12 pm-6 pm, Thurs 12 pm-6 pm, Fri 12 pm-6 pm, Sat 12 pm-7 pm
Artists of Bristol on the Delaware
- Address
- Bristol, PA 19067
- Website
- www.artistsofbristol.com
Imagine an organization that is dedicated to showcasing and supporting local artists. One that is well underway to creating a supportive community for the artists.
That’s Artists of Bristol on the Delaware.
Their mission is for the promoting and providing exposure for Artists to enhance the legacy of arts, culture and education in the local community.
Open to all artists of Bristol, they meet at 7 pm on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at Silver Lake Nature Center, 1306 Bath Road, Bristol, Pa.
