Pearl Buck House
When Pearl S. Buck International reopens its doors to the public Monday, August 3, 2020, visitors will be able to tour the Pearl S. Buck House National Historic Landmark for free. Complimentary admission will be offered through October 31, thanks to a generous grant from Visit Bucks County, the official tourism promotion agency of Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
Visitors can expect some changes upon returning to Pearl S. Buck International’s grounds and buildings, as the health and safety of guests are top priorities for the organization. Due to continued COVID-19 social distancing restrictions and health and safety guidelines mandated by state and local government and health agencies, Pearl S. Buck International will be offering only the Taking Action tour upon reopening. This tour with interactive dialogue shares the story of Pearl S. Buck’s forward-thinking human rights and social justice advocacy for issues that remain relevant today. The Life and Legacy traditional historical tour will be reinstated at a later date.
In addition, tours will be limited to only five guests in order to maintain social distancing. Reservations are strongly recommended as walk-ins cannot be guaranteed tour slot availability. Guests can go onto the Pearl S. Buck International website at https://pearlsbuck.org/takeatour or call the front desk at 215-249-0100 x110 to request a desired tour time and date.
Additional health and safety measures guests can expect include:
- Hand sanitizer is available in multiple places in all the buildings on our grounds for staff, volunteers, and visitors to use frequently
- Bathrooms and high-touch surfaces such as door handles, countertops, and light switches are being regularly and frequently cleaned and disinfected
- Health self-assessments and temperature checks are required for all staff and visitors upon entering the facility.
- All staff and visitors are required to wear a face mask and to social distance while on the premises.
- There is increased signage around the buildings on health and safety measures such as social distancing reminders and proper hand-washing protocol
- The gift shop will be available before or after each tour. Staff will aid visitors with shopping safety protocols to ensure minimal contact.
- Staff will sanitize the museum and the Welcome Center between tours
Offering complimentary admission provides an opportunity for Pearl S. Buck International to be an active and civic-minded institution during this time of turmoil, uncertainty, and upheaval. Pearl S. Buck International hopes that offering free tours will allow people of all different social, economic, and cultural groups to experience the museum and that it will provide a safe setting and a return to semi-normalcy for people who have endured weeks of isolation due to COVID-19. It is also a goal of the museum during this time of national social unrest around racial inequality and civil rights issues to be able to serve the needs of our community as a center of education, information sharing, and dialogue, especially on the topics Pearl S. Buck found important including advocating for people of color, people with disabilities, women, biracial children, and immigrants.
Pearl S. Buck International looks forward to reopening our doors and inviting back visitors to a safe, comfortable, and welcoming environment. For more information go to https://pearlsbuck.org/takeatour.