Joseph Pickett House

Joseph Pickett was never famous as an artist during his lifetime. After his death in 1918, his works became far more valuable. New Hope in Bucks County is well-known today as an art lover’s delight. The area is filled with cultural treasures, so perhaps it’s no real surprise to learn that one of those artists still haunts the area, though he died in 1918.

Joseph Pickett was a grocer and his little shop on West Mechanic street was also his home. In between helping customers and filling grocery orders, Joe still had some time on his hands. He liked to paint and at some point he used the side of the building for a canvas. Whatever he painted at that point remains covered in many layers of house paint now. Never recognized for his artwork at the time, Pickett’s art did eventually become well-known. One of his works, Manchester Valley, is in the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Those who work in the building often report the sound of heavy footsteps, usually in the middle of the night. And various folks report items go missing in the house, only to turn up later elsewhere. Joe seems to have a mischievous streak, but does not appear to be harmful. Perhaps he just wants to gather some of the attention that he probably missed out on during his lifetime.