The Story Behind the Michener at New Hope

	William Lathrop, (1859-1938), Untitled (Landscape with Figure); 1933, oil on canvas, H. 16 x W. 20 inches, Collection of Marguerite and Gerry Lenfest.

While artists have been working in New Hope (once known as Coryell's Ferry) from as early as the 1700s, it was in the late 19th century when the renowned landscape painter William L. Lathrop bought a home there that a community of artists truly began to take root. Lathrop and his wife Annie would entertain students and fellow artists at their Phillips Mill home, and soon more and more artists began to settle in New Hope, attracted by the affordable property, bucolic landscapes and sweeping river views. The area's reputation for laissez-faire and tolerant Quaker neighbors was—and continues to be—a further inducement for artists to live and work there.

The original James A. Michener Art Center first opened its doors in 1988, on the site of the former Bucks County Jail in Doylestown. It was named for the Pulitzer Prize-winning author and Doylestown native who helped endow the institution along with his wife, Mari Sabusawa Michener. In 1990 it was renamed the James A. Michener Art Museum. The original site has undergone three major expansions, and now totals 33,000 square feet with 11,000 square feet of gallery space, including five permanent and three changing galleries, as well as an outdoor sculpture garden. In 2001 the Michener Art Museum was accredited by the American Association of Museums (AAM).

In the spring of 2001, Museum Director Bruce Katsiff was approached by New Hope developer George Michael with a proposition: to build a Museum satellite at Michael's Union Square office and retail development, on the site of a former Union Camp paper bag factory. Katsiff returned with his list of requirements to make the space suitable for Museum and AAM standards, and Michael agreed—with the added incentive of a 20-year rent-free lease for the Museum. This represented a two million dollar gift from the Michael family.

Even with Michael's generous offer, significant funds would have to be raised for the Museum to operate a second facility. A fundraising campaign was launched in 2002, with the goal of raising $1 million dollars to fit out the space and cover the projected operating deficit. In less than one year, the necessary funds were raised from public and private donors including the Delaware River Port Authority, Pennsylvania Redevelopment Authority, William Penn Foundation and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Private donors included numerous individuals and businesses in the New Hope, Solebury, Lambertville and surrounding communities.

An official groundbreaking for the Museum site was held in June of 2002.

"George Michael and his family gave the leadership gift that began our journey," Katsiff says. "Their support helped to stimulate the generosity of public spirited citizens in the New Hope/Solebury community who shared our dream to bring the arts back to New Hope."