[MSN] Police seek artifact missing from Bucks museum

[Ellie Bruggeman]

Police seek artifact missing from Bucks museum

A rare 19th century artifact was apparently stolen from Fonthill Museum in Doylestown last month, police said today.

Officials believe the small silver and brass pilgrim box - similar to a locket - may have been stolen during special July 4 festivities at the castle-like museum. Museum personnel first thought it may have been misplaced and spent time searching for it before finally reporting the disappearance to police.

 Edward Reidell, Fonthill's administrator, said he didn't know the value of the object.

"For us, there's a great value from its historical nature," he said. "We can't get another object like this."

Fonthill was the home of Henry Chapman Mercer, a lawyer, archeologist, architect, world traveler, artisan and one of the founders of the Bucks County Historical Society.

Officials are revaluating their security procedures in following the theft.

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