Asa Packer Mansion Reviews

The home (Mansion) is well preserved and appointed. Enjoyed the tour and seeing all the period pieces. Woodwork in the home is amazing. Worth the walk up the hill to see it.

Plan carefully, even though said that after memorial day the mansion was open daily, after hiking in the pouring rain, as there is NO parking in this town, we waited at the mansion at 11:00 only to realize no one was showing up and they decided not to open.

Very good, one of the place we take visitors to! The tour shows how the very rich lived before "displaying your wealth was in style.

This was a very interesting mansion tour, made all the better by a knowledgeable docent. It is one of the few places I have visited which had all the original pieces in the various rooms. My one complaint is that there are no restrooms for visitors (one is directed back down the hill to the main town square!) - I think they need to consider using some of the $10 entry fee to provide facilities for guests!

Jim Thorpe is this wonderful historic town nestled, literally, in the gorges along the Lehigh River in northeast Pennsylvania. There's a genuine feeling of going back in time with no modern buildings, townhomes, or even a Walgreens anywhere in sight. Think Bedford Falls in "It's a Wonderful Life" and you'd be right on target.

High above the town is the home of local magnate Asa Packer who earned his fortunes in the combined businesses of coal, steel and railroads. I say "home", because even though the house is about 11,000 square feet it doesn't feel as if it was all built for show. This is not to say it isn't opulent, though. The craftsmanship of the European artisans who built the place is amazing, especially considering the time in which it was built. Everywhere you look the attention to detail is incredible.
Another interesting fact is that all of the furnishings are original to the house, even the wallpaper is original!

Our guide was very thorough, informative and entertaining and was, justifiably proud to be sharing his knowledge of both the home & the Packer family.

The only thing to be aware of is the walk up the hill to the mansion is not an easy one. Access is up a series of walkways (ramps) and short staircases leading uphill so, if you take your time, most folks will be OK. As I said, it's worth the climb.

Go and enjoy!

This house should definitely be on your must-see list. Such incredible detail. The only complaint was that the tours took on way too many people in each group. I would have rather gone through faster (than the 45 minutes it took) and had the chance to see more. Instead people would stand in place and block a lot of detail. You could ask them to move but there would be no room to move anywhere. Stop at ten, or even a dozen, and it would be perfect.

Beautiful home and a very knowledgeable guide. Just be aware that you need to park downtown by the train and you will have to walk up a hill and up more than 60 steps to get to the mansion and then several more steps while on the tour.

Great history and informative tour! You will enjoy hearing the history of the town! House on the hill and the family who started the town.

I've toured lots of old homes but this was by far the most captivating in architecture & history. I highly recommend taking the tour, our guide was so passionate & informative! I could've stayed all afternoon. Will return again!

For visitors to the Jim Thorpe area, I highly recommend this tour. The house has amazing views, well-preserved interiors and a very interesting history.

I've been here only once because I wasn't very interested. Unlike the Samuel DuPont Homestead and William Penn Family Home, not to mention the house in Gettysburg owned by the only civilian to die at the battle by an awry bullet, most people have no idea who Asa Packer really is. Even the tour guide seemed a bit low on knowledge. My wife was pretty disappointed. When we left, she actually asked "Can we see William Penn's digs next time?" I will admit, I am a fair man, but this visit was underwhelming for the 2 of us in particular.

If you’re in Jim Thorpe this a must-see historical venue. Didn’t know anything about Asa Packer prior to arrival but found the well-preserved mansion and the family’s history fascinating. Have done a lot of old mansion tours and this was one of the most interesting.

Visited Jim Thorpe for a weekend. We went to the Packer mansion. We very much liked it. Many original furnature/etc there. The tour guide was great. Its always nice to take in the history of the town

I took the tour and it was really interesting. It is very well kept. The furniture and the decorations are all authentic and from that time period. From what I understand Asa Packer was a very kind and generous soul.

There's a lot of steps to climb but it's worth it. It's also hard to find parking. Be prepared to walk a distance to see the mansion. Truly a beautiful to visit. No pictures allowed inside.

This tour was very informative and interesting. It was cool to see how the rich and famous lived back in the early 20th century. This family was very philanthropic. It was a delight to learn about them. It was amazing that this mansion was in such good condition after years of being vacant. The architecture and woodwork in the house was majestic. Our guide was excellent and knowledgeable. He made the tour very special and enjoyable. This tour was one of the highlights of our trip. Be sure to bring cash to pay for the tour. Credit cards are not accepted. I would definitely recommend this tour if you are in the area.

After standing in line with about twenty other hopefuls and having to call the Jim Thorpe visitors center when they didn’t open by 15 minutes after the posted time, we were informed it was closed due to broken AC. Put up a sign!

A Must see if you're in the Jim Thorpe area. Well worth the $10 entrance fee.
For those interested in and/or are in the construction industries, take the time to see the original workmanship of the interior woodwork of this small Mansion, it is truly incredible and all done by hand.
Asside from the woodwork, all of the furnishings and wall coverings are original to the house, so is the Orchestrion, that was dismantled, taken to Florida reassembled, and then dismantled and reassembled back in PA when ever the Lady of the House was on vacation.

The mansion is a National Historic Monument and fascinating story of the Packer family. This mansion if very oppulent and makes you wonder what it must have been like to live in that era. A nice tour with beautiful views of the mountains from this house on the hill. If you walk to the mansion, there are many steps leading there as well as inside but you can drive here.

Did you know Asa Packer founded Lehigh University and was the 2nd richest man in the world when he died? This mansion is NOT restored, rather it is maintained just as it was when last occupied by the Packer family! It is magnificent and our tour director was superb! Know that it is a cash only tour and well worth it at 10$ per person!

Fun tour of the town's crown jewel mansion, which has been (mostly) lovingly preserved as it was in its heyday. Our tour guide was pleasant but could have benefited from a bit more knowledge and enthusiasm. Still a worthwhile excursion.

Went to Jim Thorpe for 2 days and thanks to Trip Advisor I knew about the Asa Packer Mansion! Beautiful old home, with all the original furnishings. our docent, Ann was great. Extremely knowledgeable, and was able to give us a great tour and answer questions.

Area historical facts mixed with a family history of how a common man with common sense and appropriate skills made millions as the age of coal and then-new railroads evolved in that area of Pennsylvania

We had a nice tour of the mansion. The tour guide was great and knew her stuff. The tour is an hour and the mansion is on a very steep, high hill. A big turn off was that they don't offer a bathroom to customers, so if you need to go before the tour, you have to either hold it in or walk all the way back down the hill into town. Once the tour starts, you are advised to not leave unless it is an emergency, and in that case, the tour guide has to walk you out. The tour itself was interesting. Not the greatest, but somewhat interesting.

The climb to the Manson with its MANY steps was challenging but worth it. Enjoyed learning about all the charitable foundations Mr Packer funded as did his daughter. Very interesting.

the Packer family were movers and shakers in Pennsylvania history of the last century. Visiting the home and taking the tour is well worth the time. It fits with the town of Jim Thorpe and the history of the anthracite region. Note that there are steps and a steep hill from the parking lot to thehouse.

The mansion is beautiful and full of old world craftsmanship. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable. The Packers were fascinating people. Go.

We had a great tour guide Elizabeth who was well spoken and very informative. You can tell she loves her job. We had a nice small group of 6. No pictures are allowed inside but you can take pictures outside. We were surprised that the mansion has central air but no parking lot and no restrooms on site. It is a lot of up hill and the mansion has 3 floors, but so worth it if you are into history. It was one of the best tours and things to do in Jim Thorpe.

The interior of European style architecture is mouth dropping.
Your mind just wanders as you travel back to what it must have been like to live in those days.

I don't know what I expected, but it surely wasn't the amazing tour we received from Elizabeth! Wow, she was incredible! Very knowledgeable! She also spoke slow and loudly, so the entire group could hear her. She really knew her history which made the tour just incredible. I highly recommend this. The antique music box was a treat to hear! The only working one in the states! Thank you Elizabeth!

This was, without a doubt, our favorite stop during our trip to Jim Thorpe, PA. The Asa Packer Mansion is a gem in this little town! The exterior belies the breathtaking interior. The antiquities are phenomenal, to say the least. Our tour guide was extremely knowledgable and informative, and her dry sense of humor made the tour fun!

These industrialists literraly fueled the industrial revolution. Their accommodations matched the accomplishments.

My husband and I are both into learning more about US history and this is the place to learn more about the Jim Thorpe area (before Jim Thorpe). Our tour guide was absolutely amazing and didn't leave anything out. There were no pictures allowed inside so You must visit if in the area and see it for yourself. The stained glass was gorgeous, the stairwells really made you imagine the women of the house waltzing down in their big party dresses and you can see the family that lives there through the descriptive imagery of the guide.

An amazing mansion with lots of history. Very unique. Our tour guide was very informative!! Worth the climb up the hill!!

Denise gave a great tour, lots of great info told in context with awesome enthusiasm - so glad we took the house tour. Worth every penny!

Step back in time to the untouched Victorian mansion of Asa Packer, once one of the richest men in the world. You have to take the hour long tour to see the mansion, which costs $10, but you will not be disappointed!

This was our greeting upon arriving at the gate of the mansion at 10:30. There was a Closed sign on the unlocked gate but the website said the grounds open at 10:30. A young employee arriving for work yelled at us for opening the unlocked gate. I mentioned the website info and told him it should be changed if not correct. Anyway he wasn't our tour guide. Our guide Anne was very good with lots of interesting history. It's worth seeing, really, even if one employee was rude. Who am I to judge? Might've had a bad night. Paid parking is down the hill on the street or the huge lot for the railroad. There is a hill and a lot of steps leading to the mansion. Tickets go on sale at 11 for first tour at 11:30. While waiting for the tour you can walk the grounds or rest on rocking chairs. Just don't get there too early and try to visit the grounds. And maybe they will update the website.

This was an amazing tour! It was a step back in history to see how the elite lived in the 19th century. I had no idea of the significance that Asa Packer had in the development of the coal and railroad region of NE PA. The mansion overlooks the town of Jim Thorpe so be ready for a steep climb up the hill and quite a few steps to get up to the mansion but it is well worth the climb! The interior of the mansion is stunning and our tour guide gave us so many interesting facts about furnishings, wood carvings, and the Packer family. He was so knowledgeable about even small details. The tour lasted about 70 minutes. We did go up to the third floor so be ready to do steps on the tour as well. You cannot take any pictures inside the mansion but you may take outside pictures. If you visit Jim Thorpe, do not miss this treasure!!

Our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable with many anecdotes about the family peppered in with his explanations of the decor. The house is a beautiful step back in time and the craftsmanship in the carvings were gorgeous!

The tour was great and the guide was very knowledgeable. The workmanship in this mansion is incredible. There is no parking at the mansion but you can drop people off at the brother's mansion next door (now a B&B.) It's on a hill and there are stairs. After go to the Episcopal Church a short walk away. It is associated with the Packer family.

This is definitely something you must do when in Jim Thorpe. Our guide was so informative! Incredible to see all of the "original" furnishings and the amazing architecture to this home. Be prepared to walk up the hill! Wear comfortable shoes. They have a small "senior" discount.

I'm always fascinated by how the rich and famous lived back in the day, and this home is a beautiful example of a family who started with nothing and made it big in the railroad industry. The tour lasts about 40 minutes, all through the home, and if you get tour guide Kathy L, she is fabulous, making the family's history come alive throughout. The home is beautiful, the tour is interesting, and I enjoyed it very much. One word of caution...young children will not have the attention span for this, not to mention that they want to touch all the antiques and artifacts, so not a good idea to bring little ones. One family left mid-tour because their little kids were very fussy and disruptive. A fair amount of stair climbing is involved throughout, so not sure what they do to accommodate those with physical limits.

Mansion tour was priced right at $10 for senior discount. Tour through each room with explanation from the docent. We toured the first and second floor. The third floor and basement are not part of the tour.

Lovely home but so very interesting to hear what a generous and intellectual man Asa Packer was. So far ahead of his times.

This place is jaw-droppingly opulent. Asa Packer and his family were wealthy beyond most people's imaginations. Visit their home and you will understand! Nice guided tour and plenty of time to wander on the grounds.

Well worth a visit. Fascinating old mansion with interesting history. Alex the docent was very knowledgeable and patient making the tour excellent. As with all of Jim Thorpe, there is virtually no handicap accommodation of any kind. Lots of historic and charming things to do and see. Unfortunately they clearly do not welcome the handicapped in any way.

During our stay in Jim Thorpe, my wife and I visited the Asa Packer mansion. The mansion itself was beautiful, but our tour guide was only so-so. She kept on mixing up dates and had to constantly refer to her notes.

The furnishings are lovely and reminded me of a mini version of the Vanderbilt mansion in Hyde Park, even though the mansion was built slightly before the Gilded Age.

We got to see multiple rooms on the first and second floor. I appreciated seeing how the rich lived in the latter 19th century.

I've been to Jim Thorpe many times but finally did the tour and it was worth it! Very interesting story about Asa Packer and the home was very impressive. The kitchen and the way they communicated before telephones!

This house is amazing. The tour guide was informative. I was disappointed and annoyed that I couldn't take pictures. The reason I was given is because people post them on the internet and thieves can steal things.What?? I have never been in a house or museum where pictures aren't allowed. If they are worried about thieves, they shouldn't have tours. Thieves can covertly take pictures and case the place. I have since talked to a Docent, who happened to be aware of Asa Packer no picture rule. She thought it was ridiculous. I did buy a strip of postcards for a dollar. So what's the difference if I take a picture and post it or scan the postcard? I think the Lions club needs to rethink this rule. Biltmore doesn't seem worried about pictures.

Second visit!! Absolutely beautiful well worth a visit!Tour guides are well informed and tell stories of the homes original owners.The woodwork and furnishing are priceless! Beautiful stained glass as well

Wonderful that the town has been able to keep this beautiful home intact & open for all to enjoy! Woodwork, wallpaper, stained glass and furnishings are all original to the period when the home was occupied in early 1900s. Tour guides are knowledgeable and you will learn interesting facts about the family who owned the house, as well as the early days of the town. History buffs and lovers of old homes will enjoy this tour!

My husband and I visited the mansion around 3:00. We were told that the next tour would start at 3:20. It turned out to be the busiest time, and the group of the tour had 21. Maybe we should have waited for the one after for a smaller group. The tour was very well organized and our guide was very knowledgeable and well-spoken. Lasted one hour. Cost only $10!

I've been through many historic mansions and many are a hodge podge of antiques added to the resident after the fact. The Asa has practically every item of furniture original to the home - it's like a time machine. Just an amazing wonderful place. I would go back again and again. A true gem! One of a kind!

We visited Jim Thorpe as my family had a connection to the area. Our tour guide for the Asa Packer Mansion was knowledgeable and made the tour interesting. It is a grand house. Apart from the history of the house it also gives a good overview of the early days of Mauch Chunk and why the area was settled. If you are in Jim Thorpe make sure you pay it a visit. It was not an expensive tour and well worth it.

Awesome... the mansion and the town are worth the visit. Besides the great tour there was much more to do in the immediate area: Restaurants, shops, historic church's, train rides, whitewater rafting, and more.

If your in Jim Thorpe this is a must do.This place is amazing and shows what money can do.Take a step back in time. The tour guide was wonderful I could have talked to her the rest of the day,a great experience.

This museum home was from the 1860's. The home has been kept in original condition. The guide was very knowledgeable. Cost $10 and worth it. A must see.

Good tour, knowledgeable guide who could paint a good picture. Gave a good overview of the area hey days via the lives of Packer family

Not a big historical fan but this was amazing! Beautiful mansion and interesting history to keep your attention. Well worth the visit!

Many lovely surprises await your visit. I own a home in the town and happily visit at least once a year to share this gem with guests.

I have been on this tour at least five times prior to today. Compared to any previous tours, today was disappointing. The tour has been abbreviated and the tour guide, although a lovely person, was just going through the motions. If you have never been to the Asa Packer Mansion, it’s still worth going. I personally don’t think it was very good compared to previous years.

My husband and I took the tour today. Our tour guide was excellent! He made the tour especially interesting with all of the tidbits he know as, as well as all of the facts that were provided to him by his employer. The mansion is beautiful. Asa Packer and his wife were so very generous. I would definitely go back again. Five stars!!!

We were off to an early start on our first morning in Jim Thorpe and went directly to the Mansion. Unfortunately it wasn't open yet - this after climbing all those stairs! (Note to early birds: It opens at 11:00) When we returned a bit later, we knew that a second climb was more than worth the effort. The building and its view of the lower end of town spoke to us as being a great place to have lived. The fact that it was closed up for 40+ years and left intact as the family had used it was a mind-blowing fact.The large cabinet and beautiful sounds of the Welte Orchestrion on the upper floor are unforgettable. I still can't imagine how they took it apart and packed it for transport to Florida when daughter Mary traveled there. There is too much to say about this magnificent piece of history to do it justice. Just go visit!

We did an hour tour with a guide. The home is really interesting because all of the furnishings are original to the last owner who was a daughter of Asa Packer. Our guide Elizabeth Hannon was outstanding and gave a clear well presented tour. She answered all questions and seemed to truly love her job.

Recommend this
Tour takes about 1 hour
I have visited many old homes and this has at least several items not seen at others

If you’re in Jim Thorpe i highly recommend visiting the mansion! The tour was very cool and the view is amazing. You won’t be disappointed.

Thank you to the Lions club and our tour guide Jim for preserving this excellent Mansion and our local part of history. Our tour was awesome. Jim's enthusiasm and memory for details was fantastic. We had a large group and all really learned a lot of the history of the Packer family. This tour is for people who want to lean about our past. It's not for young kids or people that have a difficult time walking stairs.
Remember if you enjoyed the tour and we're thankful to tip your volunteer your guide.

Disappointing! We arrived at the house at about 2:30. We were told that the next tour available was 3:20 (they sell all the tickets for each time before they go to the next one). We waited on the porch (as directed) listening to each tour being taken. We had been wondering why they were running so late. Well, it turns out that the tour leader never announced the 3:20 tour (at least not louder than a whisper). At 3:35, they announced they were taking the 3:35 tour. We heard every other tour called except the 3:20. My family along with another were stunned that they never announced it. When we asked about the 3:20 tour they told us we missed it. One woman told us she could walk us up to the already in progress tour (which was almost over). When we complained, she said they could let us on the 3:35, but then repeatedly announced to the crowed how the tour is overcrowded because they had to accommodate the 6 people that missed the 3:20 tour. It really ruined the tour for all of us. One other annoying thing was that they must have announced 15 times not to touch anything, take pics, etc. I’ve been on many mansion/historic home tours and have never been treated like this before!

This house is very interesting to be guided through. It was technologically advanced for its time and contains a lot of history. The guide was very knowledgeable.

My wife and I were pleasantly surprised at the Asa Packer Mansion. The history of Asa Packer was fascinating. The story of how the mansion was turned over to the city by his descendants and was left in the exact state with all the furnishing for 44 years was amazing. It is like a mansion time capsule. The tour guide was very informative and obviously loved the history of the mansion which made the tour that much more enjoyable.

Went to Jim Thorpe on a hot and humid day last week with one of our top priorities to tour the Asa Packer Mansion. We were not disappointed. It was only slightly cooler inside, but the heat did not detract from the tour.

The house appears to be undergoing some much needed painting on the exterior, but the interior is beautifully preserved in time. Our tour started by walking across the porch, noting the boat hull inspired roof framing and one-of-a-kind lantern hanging at the main entrance. As we toured the house, our guide noted that the house sat unoccupied for many years in the mid-twentieth century, with furnishings and decor left intact. The result is an incredible step back in time, well worth the visit.

On your tour, note the portraits upstairs that are slightly cross-eyed, to give the illusion that the eyes follow you. We were told Walt Disney used this as his inspiration for the portraits in the Haunted Mansion which give the same affect. The mansion next-door also inspired Disney's design for the outside of the Haunted Mansion.

If you are near Jim Thorpe, take the time to walk this quaint town and visit this historic mansion.

I was here 30 years ago and it was a delight to revisit. Our tour director was a bit of a kook but the home is beautiful and we thoroughly enjoyed the tour

I always find it fascinating to learn about how thing were done back in the late 1800's and early 1900's. The guide was very knowledgeable ven answering questions about individual knick knacks. Original furnishings! I highly doubt today's stuff would last 150 years. Well with the trip. No photography allowed inside though that was kind of a bummer.

My husband and I went on a day trip ro Jim Thorpe, i had been there many times and always wanted to tour the mansion. Today we did! The tour was really great!!! Our tour guide was very nice and knowledgeable. I learned alot on the tour. Im glad i finally got to see the home. After, years of seeing it from a distance and wondering about the history. Lots of steps, both to get to the house and throughout the home for the tour. So if you have troubles w climbing steps, maybe difficult.

Great bloody Mary's! Was a beautiful day to sit outside. only open a few hours on the weekend but should make it a priority to stop when in town

I've been to some larger Mansions and Castles, but I enjoyed all the details that were in this mansion including all the original furniture! There were so many details given by our wonderful tour guide Denise that it was marvelous and overwhelming (in a good way) all in one.
Asa Packer is a rags to riches story and besides for the riches of money, he was rich in family life too. Here was a man who really loved his wife. It's shown by all the details left behind in his mansion.

The walk up is hard to the mansion and the heat didn't help, the house is so interesting to see all the old items and decor. Great porch to sit outside and just chill.

This tour was awesome. Everything in the house is original. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. Well worth the $10.

When visiting the area I highly recommend this tour. It was so well done and very interesting. Some tours can be boring but this is not one of them. Very informative and the guide kept our attention. Beautiful mansion full of history. You will not be disappointed in this tour.

I gave the ASA Park Museum a two-star because it's cash only. I only view the outside which was being renovated. Bring your cash if you want to see the inside!

This is a must see attraction. Everything inside the home is original. The outside is restored every 20 years. Our group was 12, which was just right. Our guide was very knowledgeable. He responded to questions with detailed answers. I learned interesting details of the daily life. For example...a maid, butler,and 2 cooks lived with the family. Only the butler had a sink in his bedroom. He needed to look "proper" if a guest arrived. The furnishings, stained glass windows, original drapery, and many treasures are special. Every room reveals a vision of life so different that it challenges you to visualize the activity as it had taken place. I am glad opportunities like this are preserved.

Elegant mansion that has been lovingly maintained. Tour guide was knowledgeable, interesting and responded easily to questions. The interior woodwork was intricate and unique.

definitely recommend touring this stately home! This well preserved home has all the original furnishings from 150 years ago!

This was one of my favorite places we visited while in Jim thorpe, PA It was so worth doing and very knowledgeable. elizabeth did our guided tour and we had a nice small group of people. It's amazing how people lived and my mind wandered off as Elizabeth spoke how lives were back in the 1800 & early 1900's. Especially the 7 layers of clothing that most women wore!! I get hot thinking about it. lol
the European architecture of the home was stunning. loved all the beauty of the wood work.

Wish we could have taken inside pictures but we weren't allowed.
We were pleasantly surprised that the mansion had A/C. it is 3 floors and no parking lot or bathroom.

First -- the house is on a hill on the edge of town so take your time and wear the correct footwear. If you don't want to attempt it, there is a lovely bench after the first set of steps that we saw quite a few people enjoying while their parties continued onward -- and upward !

The house was built in 1861 and has most of its interior intact -- it has not been renovated, but instead shows you how the Packers left it. The rooms were large and all very well appointed with wood carvings, huge chandeliers, complete china sets and unique furnishings. My favorite was the orchestrion -- a huge operational music box that they actually played during the tour.

The tour is reasonably priced ($9 for seniors), the tour guide knowledgeable, and three floors of history available. No photos were allowed inside, so I purchased a strip of six high quality postcards depicting the main rooms and the exterior of the house for $1.00 at the admissions desk. What a bargain. Also available -- coal for $ 1.00/bag -- a great stocking filler at Christmastime.

The most unique feature of the home's interior was the wall finish -- a glue was stenciled on the walls and then sand was thrown against it in one room and gravel in another. The sand was painted and looked amazing even today. Many items were painted with gold (the mineral, not just the color) for the Packers 50th wedding anniversary. Also the stained glass windows were unbelievable.

The tour was about 60 minutes and very worthwhile. A "must see" if in the area.

As other reviewers have noted, what a treasure this site is! The tour guide was excellent, well-versed on all aspects of the house as well as the astonishing life and legacy of Asa Packer himself. As fascinating as each room was, we found ourselves more engrossed in the stories of how a carpenter and canal boat operator/builder came to own a railroad, started Lehigh University, and served in all levels of government.

Kudos to the Borough of Jim Thorpe and Jim Thorpe Lions Club for continuing to make this mansion and story available to those of us passing through.

Should you decide to visit, be aware this is a seasonal operation, you’ll be climbing stairs, and there are no public restrooms on the property, so plan accordingly.

They explain the rooms and the Packer family home . why they did certain things. Up on hill beautiful view of the area.

We learned a lot about the house, Asa Packer and his family. The house is very well preserved, Ann is a knowledgeable docent. The tour took about an hour and was informative and interesting.

Loved this mansion. You are transported in time. Our tour guide was passionate about the history which provided depth. A must see to understand the town's history.

This was not a first time that i visited a rich man's mansion from long time ago so I kinda knew what to expect. Yes, there were oversized chandeliers and grand stairways but what made this mansion stand apart from the others, were great stories told to us by the guide.
She transformed us 100 years back and made the tour truly memorable.
The interior of the mansion is very well preserved and includes furnished bedrooms, kitchen, living rooms, etc..

Interesting tour, gives you an idea of what it was like back than. Like the tour guide said "Leave 2016 outside". A lot of interesting artwork, the woodworking is exquisite and some of the other details blew me away. It was like a trip back in time.

Enjoyed the tour and our entertaining tour guide. Since the family was prominent in the town is also brought together some of the other history of the town we heard at the church and read about. Definitely worth a stop for $10.

Libations Lounge was a great spot for a couple drinks before dinner. Nice view and a spectacular mansion!!! Must see!!

Our guide was amazing, she really knew a lot of history of Asa Packer and his family. The property is very well kept and it's a wonderful tour. A must see if you come to Jim Thorpe for the day.

Travel back in time- the values and customs during the early part of the 20th century are well presented during the tour. The impact that the Packer family had on the town and Leigh University was explained in-depth, combine the history with the house furnishings-and you will enjoy a special piece of history.

The tour was well worth the price. This mansion has loads of
interesting history. Worth the stop. Located on a hilltop setting.

Wow, this place was a step back in time. Gorgeous wood carving and untouched beauty. Asa was a great philanthropist and built up Jim Thorpe. It must have been an amazing place to live in the 1800's. The silver collection was unbelievable. You must visit the mansion if in Jim Thorpe Pennsylvania. We went next door to Harry Packer mansion B&B,and had drinks on the veranda too, which was relaxing. We highly recommend trying this place if you visit the area. Mansion is in background of clocktower building in the picture below.

This home is amazing! Our guide was extremely well-informed and presented abundant facts about the home, its contents, and its owners. The fact that it was left untouched for over 40 years and what you see is how the last Packer left it adds to the enjoyment. It was too cold and rainy to explore outside but on a nice day that would be a bonus. Well worth your time.

I really wasn't sure what to expect from this tour. We walked up the hill and went her on a whim. The tour guide was extremely friendly and very knowledgable. The tour was just long enough--we all had plenty of opportunity for questions and answers. Neither of us is really "in" to touring houses, but we really enjoyed learning about this piece of history

We have visited other historical homes including the "summer cottages" in Newport and Vanderbilt's Biltmore Mansion. One is mostly amazed at these homes, having difficult imagining that people would live among such opulence. The Asa Packer Mansion reveals another side, a very livable residence occupied by one of the wealthiest families of the era who knew when "enough was enough". A docent will tour you through the home, telling the story of Packer and his family, woven among tales of the home's construction, family charitable endeavors, personal generosity, humorous eccentricities, and the like. Trip Advisor reviews sometimes tell of lackluster tours. If you are fortunate to get the guide that we did, I am sure you will be enchanted and edified. This could be your favorite historic house tour.

This was a great tour. I loved finding out the history of the mansion and staying next door at the sons mansion for the murder mystery event was a added bonus.

As a fan of the Lehigh Valley Railroad, it was great to see the place of the man who basically started it all for Carbon County and Pennsylvania. I did not know his daughter Mary was the second richest in the world next to Queen Victoria. We need to remember how generous Asa could be at that time for the region. Always worth a visit when visiting Jim Thorpe. And make sure to look at his son’s mansion next door. The haunted house in Disneyland is fashioned after it.

This gorgeous, historic mansion is a necessary stop for anyone visiting Jim Thorpe. The tour was probably about 40 minutes which was perfect. It was gave us a great understanding of the house and the infamous Asa Packer, but it also a better perspective on the history of this unique town. Our tour guide was sweet and friendly. It is a site well
worth a quick stop.

This was definitely a highlight during our stay. Our tour guide was very nice and not only did she know so much about the Packer family/history you can tell she enjoyed/appreciated her job. It was also very affordable.

I loved the house and the guide was great. It was a very hot day and the air conditioning was geothermal and couldn't keep up. Otherwise this is a must see for a look into the history of the family and their contributions to the town.

This place is amazing, I love woodworking and if you do this is a must see. You don’t find this anymore anywhere. If you want to see where and how antiques “lived” back then this is the place!!! Everything is so perfect.

The tour guide was an elderly gentleman wearing tails and a bowler hat. He was extremely knowledgeable about the house and Asa Parker. When asked to speak louder, he did so, but he continued speaking at a very rapid clip. As a result I missed information that I will need to look up on my own.
The tour exceeded 60 minutes which was a bit too long. The guide’s comments that criticized our lives today as compared to the past were unnecessary.
When the weather in Jim Thorpe is rainy, this is an interesting place to visit.

Visited today with my husband, our pre-teen son and my husband's parents. Very thorough tour with a knowledgeable docent. We were not rushed, but encouraged to ask questions. The detail in the decor/furniture is amazing, and 95% original. We were really impressed! Highly recommend!

very interesting tour and history of the asa packer mansion. There are a lot of steps to climb to get you up to the house. It sits on a hill. It might be challenging for seniors. We had a short wait. It was a lovely museum and worth the visit.

Great tour of the mansion. The history that was explained was very interesting. The house was boarded up for years so it's like going back in time. It's a great tour if love antiques and history.

After a hike up the hill, the tour was well worth it. Our tour guide Ava was exceptional and answered all our questions. And interacted with the guests. Would highly recommend this tour of your in the area.

You can't miss Victorian homes around Jim Thorpe. Two well-known landmarks were the Asa Packer Mansion and Harry Packer Mansion. Asa Packer mansion was completed in 1861 and was the home of Asa Packer, the founder of the Lehigh Valley Railroad. He moved away at the age of 17 to work from CT, which he ended up in Mauch Chunk, Pennsylvania.

Harry Packer, the son of Asa was gifted the home as a wedding gift. The Harry Packer Mansion was built by Asa for his son in 1874. The home was designed in an Italianate style and is now home to a bed and breakfast. The exterior of the home, which you won’t want to miss when visiting the Asa Packer Mansion, was used as the inspiration for the Haunted Mansion at Disney World.

Now these days, The Asa Packer Mansion is opened for tours and Harry Packer Mansion is a bed and breakfast but offers weekend tours (Murder Mystery events).

Overall, if you love historic homes. architecture, or just seeing unique sites, a visit to the Asa Packer Mansion in Jim Thorpe, PA is a must.

Note: photos are not allowed inside the home.

If you love high-end Victorian architecture and interiors, this place is for you! Before visiting, check the website to be sure the second floor is open to visitors. The day my husband and I went, we could tour only the first floor. The $4 entrance fee was still well worth it! We did the self-guided tour, with the history and details of the owners and the building provided on a laminated letter-sized guide. You are allowed to linger in each room as long as you want. The front porch (veranda) is set up as a cafe; alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are sold, as well as a few delicious and non-typical small plates. I ordered the cheese plate. My husband and I sat for an hour or so on the porch, enjoying the view of the town and beyond. The rooms are amazing, the workwork of highest crwaftmanship, and the experience over-all very relaxing and enriching. Not for small children.

I guess we were lucky because it was not busy and we basically got a private tour of this lovely home. Our guide was Alex and he was very knowledgeable about the history of the home and the Packer family who lived there. He was able to answer any and all questions we had about the architecture, and the items and paintings in the home. The only negative is there is no accessibility for the elderly or disabled due to the age of the home and where it is built. We were unable to take my mother because she could not negotiate all the stairs both outside and inside.

The mansion is beautiful and well maintained. The stories of the family shared during the tour were captivating.. The only disappointment - no restrooms here, you must walk back down to the train station.

Beautiful and artful woodwork and mounding in this old home. Well worth the climb up the hill and stairs to see. Take the time to go next door for a cocktail on the poarch.

This is a hike up the hill but you'll be glad you took it if you do the tour. We had the last tour of the day and our guides name was Elizabeth. She gave a very professional tour. We walked away feeling we knew a lot more about Asa Packer and family and the town of Jim Thorpe. Any question from family history to specific pieces of furniture were answered with a refreshing thoroughness. A bonus was being considered a senior citizen (55 and older) and saving $1 a person.

The Asa Packer mansion is a typical gilded age abode in the long tradition of Ventfort in Lenox, Mass and many others. What makes it a bit more special? Two things: almost the entire mansion and its contents are original - not the usual we-paid-to-have-the-wallpaper-remade scenario. No, this all covering (often stenciled sand or gravel) is all original. The stained glass and woodwork are in tip top shape. Number two, the guide we had was extremely informative as well as being quite the entertainer (if you get a different guide, hope that guide is as good).

Great view of the town from the mansion...

The mansion does not accept credit cards, so you will need to bring $10 cash per adult. There isn't a gift shop but they do sell postcards of the interior - and as they don't allow inside photography, you might want to have some extra cash for that - or for the little packs of anthracite they sell for a buck (the only place I found it in the area - including the coal mine gift shop!) or "piece of the mansion" for two (they did have to refurbish the outside corbel, and package the detritus!).

It's true. People say you need to tour the mansion when visiting this town. That's an accurate statement. You will be blown away by the stories and historical experience. It's literally like stepping back in time.

Had a great time murder mystery. Great place and quant. Just a few steps from center of town and shops and restaurants.

This was my third tour of the Asa Packer Mansion. I pick up a new tidbit or two each time I tour. The tour guides are wonderful and informative!

We missed the p.m. cutoff on Monday, so we came back early the next morning. The tour was excellent and seeing this onetime wealthy family's home was really enjoyable. It's owner was once one of the richest men in America and it shows in the craftsmanship of the interior.

This is the highlight of a visit to town. This wealthy powerful. Man built a terrific home with all modern conveniences known at the time. The furnishings and history of the house amazed me and does to most folks. The tour us well worth the entrance fee. Amazing what money bought

A rare opportunity to walk into an unchanged Victorian home built in 1856. Annie, our tour guide, clearly loved being the docent and was full of fun facts and stories about the family that built the house.

It is amazing how well preserved everything inside the mansion is! Our tour guide was very friendly and knowledgeable. She allowed time for us to ask questions and did have the answers. The 3rd floor was closed for our tour d/t needing repairs from water damage but it was still wonderful. Well worth the small admission fee. Just be prepared to walk many stairs!

So much to do in Jim Thorpe in every season, we were there at Christmas for their Christmas celebration, train ride with Santa, Carolers in the square and at the hotel balcony, great botique shops, Asa Museum was very well done with a local tour guide who knew so much history and had a passion for the home and the area.Spring Fall and Summer have camping, white water rafting, kayaking and great restaurants close by in the Poconos.

A very interesting tour, one of its kind. Unique insight into the lines and time that was so important in the history of this area. The home is basically left the way that the family had once lived in it, which is fascinating. The stories shared were of an important and influential family who were key in the success of the region, industry as well as academia. Hike up the hill and pay the very nominal fee for the tour!

We were lucky to get a wonderful Historian lady as out tour guide. She explained to us the life of Asa Packer and how he grew to be one of the most powerful and richest men during his lifetime. She took us on a tour of his Victorian Mansion and pointed out all of the amazing furniture and décor in the many rooms. Very interesting.

We didn't take the tour but we walked around the property and peeked in the windows. What a beautiful mansion!! It's worth going to even if just for the lovely view of the town below!

Area is steeped in history and this stop can not be missed! The tour was thorough and grounds and area well maintained.

It is a must when you are in the town of Jim Thorpe. It is a beautiful mansion in every sense of the word. It is so well maintained by the town that you wonder how it is possible to keep it so dated to the time period that it was when the Packers lived there. The tour guide was so informative and it almost seemed like she actually lived in that period too. She had a answer to all the questions we had for her. Everything was so immaculate in the mansion and so much history it just is the place to go if you are especially a history buff. You can see the mansion sitting on the hill as you are coming down the Mansion House Hill it is very noticeable because of the size and color of it.

This is one of the best mansion tours I've been on. Everything in the mansion is original including wallpaper, curtains. Our guide was excellent and gave interesting details about the Packer family.

This mansion is very grand and well preserved. As an example, artisans were brought in from Switzerland to create the extensive woodwork throughout the mansion. I learned a couple new terms such as gasolier (natural gas powered chandelier). The guide made it easy to imagine a family living in this ornate home.
On a practical note, don't visit this home if you cannot walk up and down stairs. There are 30-40 steep stairs to get up to the mansion entrance from the street. Inside the mansion, the tour goes up one set of stairs and down another.

Tom, Our guide, provided us with much information about Asa Packer and his family. He was a wealth of information. Very interesting tour.

Our tour guide, Ava(I believe) was awesome! The details and history are fascinating. I definitely recommend and I am not really a history kind of person.

It's a throwback in time. Modern appliances and conveniences are the highlight of the tour or at least what was considered modern and convenient 100 years ago. Things to pay attention to are the Victorian home killers like arsenic laden wall paper, gas lamps that produced deadly carbon monoxide, and narrow uneven stairs in the servants quarters that caused many a fall.

This was like stepping back in history. We had a fascinating tour with an excellent guide. Some beautiful furnishings and décor.

My boyfriend and I were a bit reluctant to tour the mansion because we thought it may get boring. We were so wrong. Our tour guide, Elizabeth, had to have been the best tour guide that I had ever had. She was so informative, and had every single detail memorized. You could tell she took great pride in giving these tours. It was so interesting to learn about the Packers and the history of the beautiful mansion. I would recommend this tour to anyone, with the exception of small children.

**Note: They do not have public restrooms so use the restroom before your visit.

Everything in this mansion is original; therefore, no photos or touching are allowed. The guide was very good and we were surprised at how wealthy Packer was. It is a climb if you wish to visit the house. Cost was $9.00 per person (senior rate). The tour takes about 45 minutes and you do have to climb steps.

Amazing mansion, still with all of its original contents, many of which are in pristine condition. The tour seemed a bit rushed and there were more people than could comfortably fit in many of the rooms.

Don't let the 100+ steps up a very steep hill discourage you, the mansion tour is well worth the little huff and puff. Now there are lots of things to do in Jim Thorpe, but don't visit without a tour of the mansion. The cost for my wife and me with our senior discount, a whopping $18.00.
The house is almost exactly like it was in the early 20th century....I found this amazing. I was glad to see areas roped off and the guide being very strict about touching and wandering around during the tour. The "no picture" policy also helped to keep the tour moving and enabled us to finish in just about an hour.
Our young guide was very informative but I committed a major faux pau when I asked about any paranormal reportings in the house. I mean the house is old, has quite a history, had some folks die while living there....actually I thought it was a legitimate question. The cheery guide got very serious and said he didn't respond to such questions. At that point I also got the evil eye from several folks in our intimate tour group.
Please take the tour and I'm confident you won't be disappointed. Not sure if smaller children would be as interested in the tour as adults....just my observation.

We have been to Jim Thorpe several times and this is the first time we visited the Asa Packer Mansion. We are so happy we did! It is rare that you will find a historic home that has all of the original furnishings. Usually the antiques and valuables have been sold off and replicas have been put in place. This is not the case with this mansion! Asa Packer was so a wonderful philanthropic man, whose generosity made a huge impact to the Lehigh Valley and beyond!

We just want to thank our tour guide for all his knowledge and enthusiasm for this mansion and the family who lived there. I forgot this man's name which is not uncommon for me but I always remember someone's story and his was really an interesting one. We wanted to make sure that we thank him for sharing his story of his own time with the U.S.Army during Vietnam. His life was so very interesting and we were honored that he not only gave us the very best tour of the mansion but a shared history of his own experiences and the two just weaved together perfectly. While we were given the tour he made me feel like he was talking directly to me. I'm not sure if everyone felt like this but it really was a different experience in a great way. I really felt some kind of presence of the family in the mansion and actually in the whole town. I highly recommend this tour, this small beautiful town and this brave gentleman as your tour guide. It was a one of a kind experience. Thank you ❤️

We thoroughly enjoyed our tour at Asa Packer Mansion. Our guide, Kathy Long, was a wealth of knowledge and she really made the history of the mansion and family come to life. The details of this mansion are fascinating and so is the rich history. Absolutely worth the visit!

The Mansion is a must-see. Admission is a very reasonable $10. The Daughter died in 1912 and the Mansion has not changed since then. It is like walking into 1912. Loved the tour and the Mansion.

The house is interior is in amazing condition and has original decorations/ furnishings from the 1800s. The tour guide had a lot of knowledge. Learned about Asa Packer and his family. Tour takes 1 hour. Cash only. We arrived and had to wait about 30 min. There is a park nearby that you can stroll thru while waiting or sit in chairs in front of the mansion. They don't take reservations via phone or online.

The house sits up a hill from town of Jim Thorpe. Park at the train station. There is a steep hill and steps to walk up to the house. Not recommended for people with health conditions. And not wheelchair or walker accessible.

The Asa Packer museum is beyond words. The tour is well worth it. It will take you back in time
The detail in the mansion’s woodwork is amazing. The highlight was the orchestral organ music box that the tour guide played for us. There is only one other one that exists and it’s at the smithsonian!

Seven sites in the small town of Jim Thorpe have been placed on the National Register. Include a visit to the Asa Packer mansion, frozen in time since 1912, and you will be rewarded ----- a moving family narrative, stunning examples of interior wood paneling, hand carved accents, elaborate chandeliers and furnishings which are 90% original.

Beautifully preserved mansion. Amazing detail carved by hand into the woodwork. The family had an interesting history and was deeply involved with the growth of the town. Beautiful views can be seen from the house.

The docent guided tour was great!! Very informative and my guide was knowledgeable. I never heard of Asa Packer before and it was very interesting learning about him and his family. I personally think $10/person is a bit much but I highly recommend the tour.

The tour was very informative and fun. It is like taking a walk back in time. All of the decor and furniture is all original. Very well kept. Worth checking out.,

Amazing historic gem, the tour around the mansion is interesting,well preserved with original Victorian decor. A must visit when touring Jim Thorpe.

This mansion is a must see if you enjoy history, how the early town developed, and how the wealthy lived and died. The house is amazing in that nothing has been changed and all furnishings remain in the house since the daughter of Asa Packer, who inherited the house, died and left it to the town of Jim Thorpe. Asa Packer's son's mansion is next door. But not available for tours.

I visited Asa Packer Mansion on Saturday November 19 2022. We parked in a lot across the street for $12.00 that was good until 6:00 am. We climbed several stairs to the mansion. I paid $12.00 for one adult for a tour of the mansion. Our tour guide was nice, a bit hard to hear at times and our group was so large sometimes we all didn't fit in the rooms. To my surprise we were not allowed to take photos and we didn't get an answer as to why. We did receive upon completion of the tour six postcards. Our tour guide seemed to know very little about the property, history and the family who lived there. She didn't take any questions. The mansion itself is impressive. I think if we had a more interactive tour guide and a smaller group this tour would be more enjoyable. Overall the tour was ok but won't be back for another tour.

You will learn a lot about the history of Pennsylvania on the tour. The house is not what you would see in Newport R.I., with the Vanderbilt mansions, however it is something to see. Be aware that there is a steep set of stairs up to the mansion.

It's a bit of a walk up the hill but worth it. Hard to imagine the kind of wealth it took to have gold leave wall paper.
I found it odd they didn't let you take pictures of the inside however.

I was very impressed by an old mansion, that had been boarded up for decades and to be in such pristine condition for its age. Our tour guide was welcoming, intelligent, informative and entertaining to boot! A must see place if you're in Jim Thorpe.

We went to the mansion expecting a nice walk through and to learn about some of the history of Jim Thorpe. It was quite a climb up the steep hill and we had a stroller and two little ones with us. When we lined up to buy our tickets, the lady with purple hair at the ticket stand made it very clear that children were not welcome. Even when we said we would not take the stroller and leave the two-year-old behind with dad, and go through the tour with the baby in the sling, she still said that that was not advisable and made us feel very unwelcome. She went on to say how horrible other children have been on the tour making it very unpleasant for the other visitors. I have been on this tour for in the past, and I thought it would be a lovely thing to do with my niece and her family while they were visiting here from the United Kingdom. I certainly will not be recommending this to attraction to others if they have children. I think they should modify their sign at the bottom of the hill that points in the direction of the mansion, and have it say that children are not welcome so that people don't make the steep climb carrying the stroller up all of the steps only to be told that they're not welcome and should not come in. Very disappointing experience.

we loved our visit to the asa packer mansion. our guide was great, she told interesting and funny stories

We were pleasantly surprised by the tour of Asa Packer Mansion. It is amazing to see all of the original contents of the home and hear the history of the Packer family.

An amazing walk back in time!! Worth every penny. Excellent museum of life in the late 1800’s for the wealthy!

Original wallpaper, drapers and furniture are displayed in this lovely home. Our guide Mary was very knowledgeable and answered questions.

We found this tour of the mansion fascinating. Our tour guide was a young lady (she mentioned she is a senior in high school) who obviously loves her job and is personally interested in the history of the mansion and family. From the furniture to the carpets to the wallpaper to the stained glass to the artwork she spoke about the history or significance. Beautiful furniture, woodwork and art throughout.
Tickets were easily available and reasonably priced. FYI, be aware there is no where to park at the mansion. There is a staircase leading from the road up to the entrance, then more stairs to get to the mansion itself but it's well work the hike!

This mansion is a true MUST SEE! All original furnishings and amazing history. Our guide truly loves history and makes you see and feel a walk back in time. As she opened the door, we truly left 2019 at the doorstep and went back, way back in time. The mansion is beautiful and you just must see it to believe it. They do have a senior discount ticket price. She answered all of our questions with delight and excitement. Be sure to use the restrooms downtown before the tour. The tour lasts appx 1 hour.
***Don’t miss it!!!!!!***

I'd highly recommend this guided tour (discounts for those 55+ were a plus) of a beautiful mansion that tells interesting history about the town and the region back in its heyday, when lots of millionaires lived in this sweet little town. The inside has been exquisitely preserved w/ all original furnishings (quite rare in mansions). The tour guide was excellent, very informative and entertaining. I've been on this tour a few times throughout the years and still manage to be amazed each time I visit at the beauty and majesty of the place with its gorgeous dark woodwork, lovely colored windows, and great interior furnishings. You can't take photos inside, but you can purchase postcards, and the view from the porch is great b/c you're up on a hill overlooking the train station and the valley.

Your guide was fun and informative. Beautiful glimpse into the life and generosity of multimillionaire Asa Packer and his family. Self made man who never forgot his humble roots as well as his love and respect for the community.

We thoroughly enjoyed our day in Jim Thorpe and the Asa Packer mansion tour was the highlight! Our tour guide, Kathy, was entertaining and informative, pointing out unique aspects of the house interspersed with stories about the family and the town. This was the most expensive tour we took in the town, but by far the best! Adults $10, seniors 55+ $9. The group we toured with was all adults. I wouldn't recommend it for kids or for anyone with mobility issues.

The staff served determined to screw us over - telling us to come back for tickets in an hour and then saying it’s sold out, telling us we couldn’t wait anywhere near the place, etc. They were mean and nasty and , given the walk uphill to get there and our age, it was demoralizing and ruined our weekend.

Our family was so glad to have been able to see this house and learn the history of the Packer family. The workmanship that went in to the house was amazing!!

The lady Tour guide is a true asset to the integrity of what the Mansion represents...just breathtaking craftsmanship in 1861...$14,000 to build, I think the doors in the house are worth $14K.

This mansion is a true MUST SEE! All original furnishings and amazing history. A delightful walk back in time. All furnishings are original so therefore no photo's are allowed. Tour is about an hour. No restroom. Lots of stairs going up to the mansion.

Enjoyed the history of this beautiful home.
Not handicap friendly as we are elderly and had some health issues making the access up the hill to the mansion a bit of a struggle but worth it.

Mansion is almost all original. It was basically shut up in the early 1900s and sat undisturbed. Docents are very knowledgeable. There are three stories of steps to climb inside. The stairs outside are problem close to twice that.

Great tour overall. This house is very large and in really great shape considering its age. We went in most of the rooms and the tour guide had a really great history to tell, very knowledgeable. It's been kept in its original condition so it really was an interesting house to view.

Incredible visit of an 1800's mansion that had all of the original furnishings intact. James was an outstanding guide with vast knowledge of the Packer family and details that will certainly impress you. A must see in Jim Thorpe.

I definitely recommend stepping back in time and witnessing what Jim Thorpe was when Asa Packer brought money and jobs to the area. He was a true philanthropist. This is a rags to riches story that is not to be missed.

Love the history of this place and how good the people who owned it helped other people with less. They helped the town grow to be better and so happy the history lives on. Roger and Jan newlyweds

This is well worth your time when you are in Jim Thorpe. The history and beauty of this home is wonderful.

Be forewarned: the tour is interesting and worth the visit, but the hours are unpredictable and the staff are unprofessional and inconsiderate! We showed up a little before the opening at 11:00 am only to be turned away because they had a private event. They refused to let us buy tickets in advance for the next available tour, and were told we couldn’t even wait on the grounds (supposedly open to the public) until the gate would be opened at 12:30. Returning at 12:15 we were informed they were sold out and were directed to leave immediately in the rudest way I’ve ever been treated in my life. Again we were refused the option to buy tickets for the next tour. This place is way up a hill and stairs— walking up and down more than once is a killer. Luckily a friendly older couple offered to sell us their tickets so we did get to enjoy the tour, but we were so soured on Jim Thorpe after a few days of similarly horrendous treatment everywhere else that we cut short our stay and left for home a day early.

This is a must see place. I go to Jim Thorpe twice a year and visit here every time. After a few times following the tour guide around I found myself staying behind them so I could look at things they skip over. I always see something new. I am a tradesman so the quality of the woodworking is exciting to see. Before you go in take a good look around outside

Asset Packer was closed to the public but the view looking up was grand and looking down on the town was a charm.

Visited this past weekend with my family. Loved the details of the home - amazing wood work, nice, but varied style chandeliers, and some pretty stained glass windows. We enjoyed having a guided tour as well, since it adds a bit of a personal touch. It’s was nice that most of the original furniture is intact, as it gives you at real good feel for what the mansion was like in its heyday. Well worth the visit when in the Lehigh Gorge area.

Cash only! (We forgot to tell our fellow B&Bers and feel bad about that, so to correct that we'll tell you!) The mansion is unbelievably well-preserved and gives a perspective on the heights of Mauch Chunk's glory days. Our guide was knowledgeable.

We were pleasantly surprised when we toured this mansion. I really never knew who The Packers were, so it was interesting and a beautiful place.

Libations lounge, if you've never been here it's highly recommended you take a trip and visit the lounge. The environment is relaxed, the bartenders excellent and the cheeseplate delicious.

The location is beautiful and the house is probably better preserved than most places we have visited. The tour was 60-70 minutes and too long in our opinion - a 20 minute tour would have sufficed. The house is closed off so it’s tough to stand and wait around without fresh air.

Mr. Packer founded Lehigh U and for 30 years students were not charged tuition due to his generosity.

This was a very interesting house to visit. Our tour guide Anne was very knowledgable and patient when anyone in our tour group had questions. I was glad that our 11 year old son was not with us as I think he would have been bored. My husband and I loved it though!

The Tour of the ASA Packer House was so fascinating to my husband, 2 teenage daughters and I. Ava, our tour guide, was very knowledgeable and really made it enjoyable- especially for our daughters- Thank you so much AVA for making a good tour Great! ;)

Worth the visit. House is exactly like it was in the 1800's. Very ornately done in the Victorian style. Their son's house is right next door and Walt Disney used that house as the model for the haunted mansion in Disney world. That house is not a museum it's a B&B.Tour is very extensive. It does stink you can't take pics as there are many beautiful rooms. It has nothing to do with any of the reasons they give they just don't want people posting them online as that means less people come to visit which means less money coming in. But what places don't realize is often pics bring people in as well.

We loved visiting the Asa Packer Mansion. We had no idea about the history of this great family. The most amazing thing about this home is that it has all the original furniture and carpets. The woodwork in the home is spectacular. Do not miss this tour if you are in Jim Thorpe.

Public tours are given at the Asa Packer Mansion. A tour guide provides a narrated history of each room and special objects from the rooms. The tour guide, Kathy, was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic in presenting information to the group. Each room is roped off as to where you are allowed to go and not go.

Pictures could be taken from the outside but not from the inside.

Bottom Line: If visiting Jim Thorpe, I would highly recommend visiting the Asa Packer Mansion. The 2017 cost is $10 per person. If the car is parked for the train ride, leave the car in the lot and walk. It is approximately 0.1 mile from the train station.

An Absolute Must Do! Our guide, Mary, was Delightful. She was able to "transport Us All back in time"... in our 60 minute tour!

We were very happy with the tour. I’ve lived in the area more than 25 years and had not ever visited the mansion but always wanted to. A couple of things I should point out however. First, parking is down at the train station. We were there on a Thursday and it cost us $6 to park there all day. Secondly, tickets are purchased under the porch at the mansion. It’s not marked very clearly. Lastly, they do not accept credit cards. We were not prepared for this. We were one dollar short. I think she would have helped us out. However, a family came after us and the father was nice enough to give us the dollar we needed. Thank you kind stranger! We’ll pay it forward! Even though the weather wasn’t so great, it was an enjoyable tour.

We were in Jim Thorpe for just one day and wanted to tour the mansion and ride the train. The woman at the visitor center suggested that the timing would be best to tour the mansion first. We climbed the many steep steps, only to find that a group of 50 had arrived unannounced and no other people could tour for 2 hours. We had to skip the mansion in order to ride the train. There should be better communication between the mansion and the visitor center to make folks aware of delays before the rigorous climb up to the house.

My wife and I visited Jim Thorpe on the last Sunday in October, our first revisit in many years. We did the usual: touring the Asa Packer Mansion, taking the scenic train ride (separate review), walking around town, and then enjoying dinner (separate review, Encore). Things seemed fresh, despite our visits in the past. If there is one word that comes to mind for the Asa Packer Mansion, it is authenticity. It is astonishing to find original Victorian furniture, wallpaper, rugs, portraits, and other remarkable features, still in place, lovingly cared for but without refurbishment. An unforgettable sight is the old music box resembling a player piano, an Orchestrion, built in 1860. It is one of only two in the world (the other in the Smithsonian), and it is the only working one; it was played for us. Amazing. Our guide, Paul, was outstanding – very informative, totally knowledgeable on all questions. He told us things I forgot or never knew before. For example, who knew that the 6-1/2 ft gas-lighted chandelier was duplicated for the Hollywood movie “Gone with the Wind”? Or that Asa Packer’s surviving sister Mary, upon inheriting his estate ($54 million in 1885) would be the 2nd wealthiest woman in the world, 2nd only to Queen Victoria? These are only some of the surprising historical facts surrounding this house and family. Admittance to the mansion was $9 each for seniors. Well worth it for this unique treasure. Newcomers should be aware the mansion resides on a hill with steps up a steep incline; it’s a grind. And the tour inside covers 3 floors. This is not for handicapped or frail people. Not appropriate for kids either.

Had read reviews before visiting there and it sounded interesting and it was. Our tour guide Eric, has been in & out of this house since he was 8 years old and it showed. He knew everything and anything you wanted to know. An amazing tour through an amazing home, through American history and through the Packer families home. Even my teenage son was impressed. To me, a must see.

Beautiful 1862 mansion on hill overlooking the quant town of Jim Thorpe. Fantastic interior decor, original throughout the house, marvelous hand carved wood paneling and beautiful light fixtures. Very good tour guide and interesting story of the family.

This mansion was owned by the second richest woman in the world after Queen Victoria. It is not a restoration; it is an original. You will see things you cannot see any place else. Paul gave us a fabulous tour and the entire group seemed to be fascinated. There are many steps to climb to get to the mansion from the street level but do not be deterred because you will have a wonderful experience.

Our guide was fully knowledgeable about the Packer family. We learned how he amassed his fortune and spent his life in Mauch chauch . Truly worth the price to see how an 1800’s empire was built.

Beautiful mansion!
The hand carvings were ornamental and detailed in every aspect.
Enjoy your time and be ready to do steps!

We have been to Jim Thorpe several times, but never had time to see the Mansion. We finally did and recommend it to all. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and there are some really unique, interesting facts about the mansion and its owners which I never expected! Well worth the time.

Tour guides are extremely knowledgeable and the house is the history of town. We loved it and will return again.

This is an impressive historical site. All items in the house are original dating from around the 1880's. The house itself is beautiful. Our tour guide was very informative. He answered all of the questions posed by the group of 10 on a recent weekday morning tour. Our tour took about an hour. Well worth the $10 fee which goes towards house maintenance.

Our tour guide, James, was amazingly knowledgable, engaging and interesting. I love that they don't require their docents t memorize a script, but enable them to discuss the things they find interesting about the property, it's history, and the items n each room. I couldn't believe how specific and detailed he was, and how his pointing out little details really made it all so much more interesting. The mansion itself is an amazing time capsule, with objects and identifiers from three different time periods of the family, a detailed history of the changing styles, tastes, and architectural design of two centuries ago. It's amazing the the town kept it so preserved and that we now get to see it as it has always been, instead of as it once was. This is not a restoration, but a preservation. It's amazing!

We enjoyed the lovely home of a relatively unknown builder of our modern world. Asa Packer lived during the time of the Vanderbilts, Rockefellers, and Carnegie. He was a self-made man as were they. He also helped bring railroads to Pennsylvania, founded Lehigh University, and was instramental in the beginnings of Bethlehem Steel. But unlike them he wasn't one to totally lord it over everyone. His wife Sara even did the cooking and cleaning in their home for awhile! He did have a taste for fine things which you can still see in this home which was left much like while he was alive. When you visit be sure to notice the amazing carvings throughout the home. Each carved rose is unique!

The young lady who gave our small group a tour was very knowledgeable about the property. Interesting to see how the wealthy lived back. Lots of beautiful woodwork. Nice view of the town as the home is built on the hill above. A few steps to climb to get to the home.

The Asa Packer Mansion Museum in Jim Thorpe, PA, is an amazing time capsule. The mansion was completed in 1861 by coal and railroad magnate Asa Packer. In 1912 it was donated to the borough by Packer's daughter with the stipulation that nothing be changed or taken out of the mansion. The woodworking, chandeliers, and household items are magnificent. The docent-guided tour was very informative. The orchestrion in the upstairs hallway was a rare treat.

This is an exquisite home to tour. The woodwork inside is incredible. Our tour guide did an excellent job of telling the family history of this lovely home. I felt like I really learned a lot of history from the hearing about Mr. Packer and his family and his multiple contributions to Pennsylvania. This is a don't miss tour. My only issue was walking up the hill to get to the mansion. As a 70+ senior citizen, that was quite a long way to travel up steps, on a hot day!

After a leisurely train ride on LSR we went up to tour the Asa Packer Mansion. It was a sweltering 90 plus day but the silver storage room was cool!
Kathy was a wonderful tour guide, she was informative and friendly. The house is full of interesting history and items. Our favorite was the cottage ochestrian Mary Packer bought in Switzerland. Very well maintained and worth the effort to get up to it. Just pay attention to road closures on route 209 north.

A awesome 19th century mansion. Everything in the house is original. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and informative.

Amazing mansion with an amazing history. Our docent, a petite lady, made the Packer Family come alive ! Truly the highlight of our visit to Jim Thorpe.

The mansion was impressive in its physical appearance and history. Our guide (young man...can’t remember his name) was extremely knowledgeable and articulate. He made the tour most enjoyable!

After an invigorating climb up the many steps, I very much appreciated the many rocking chairs out front, great view of the surrounding area, must be gorgeous in the autumn. Paid my 9.00 & waited for Alex, our guide to call us in. While you wait you can go to the exbillard room which now holds the Packer silver collection.
What I found fascinating about this home was you are actually seeing the inhabitants furnishings, not reproductions or same era, their real stuff, More fascinating still was that the house was unoccupied for over 40 years & the items still are here. The neatest thing for me was the orchestral music box on the second floor only 2 in the USA, the other is in the Smithsonian, but this one plays. It is massive & so the story goes Mary would transport it down to Florida when she traveled there. Glad our music is more portable nowadays.
The wood carvings are gorgeous, each rosette different, beautiful stained glass windows. You tour all 3 floors, so more stairs ahead. Make sure you check out the house next store, it was the model for the haunted mansion at Disneyworld.
Loved it, well worth the climb!

The mansion is beautifully preserved and well maintained by volunteers. Staff is well versed with the knowledge of Asa Packer and his family from his humble beginnings to the family's wonderful philanthropy.

Wonderful tour. 95% of items in the mansion are original! Wonderful furniture, art work and stained glass. Discount on ticket price if you are 55 or older. It's a must see if you are in Jim Thorpe.

This really is a truly spectacular tour - some of the most beautiful woodwork we have ever seen. Tour guide was fantastic and very knowledgeable. Truly a beautiful piece of history.

This mansion is gorgeous, only down fall I saw was that although they didn't allow photos inside (understandable but disappointing), they let a couple in with a yappy dog to walk all over the place. Luckily she didn't relieve herself anywhere

Visited during Fall Foliage Festival. The high volumes during the festival mean the tours are slightly abbreviated. The mansion was beautiful and the tour was very interesting. Would have loved to have had the full tour with time to ask questions and not feel so rushed.

We visited this home while vacationing in the Poconos. It is a great treasure in a small town. You have to walk up a hill from where we parked our car to visit the place because it does not have a parking lot. However, the short hike is well worth it. We very much enjoyed the place and we got a very personal tour because we were the only guest there.

Although it is a walk up a steep hill and many stairs, it is worth it for those who love history, antiques and beautiful things, the mansion is a plus. Our tour guide was great. She was able to give us a tour and explain all the history about the mansion and the Packer family.

This is not a place for younger children too many tempting things to touch.

Make sure you visit the restroom prior to taking the walk up to the mansion as there are no facilities available as stated in all of the brochures

If you love a bit of American history this mansion is a must
All original furnishings
Our wonderful tour guide was very knowledgable and the whole house speaks of another era in our history

You must visit this Mansion. It is perfectly preserved. Everything is authentic in the Mansion, and the docent is very knowledgeable.

Asa and his family were pretty cool. Nice to see and hear the history of this old house. Very large and can get close when it's hot out. Excellent guides for this tour. I have done it twice.

The tour of this beautiful home was very interesting. We learned a lot about the family and the era that they lived in.

Check before planning a trip. Seems they are closed in winter until April 2017. TripAdvisor and Jimthorpe.org town research site doesn't know this. The town is closed in winter except for shops, restaurants and wine tastings

Asa Packer was one of the five richest men in the world - a fortune made in coal - and his fully furnished home can be toured. All of the furnishings are original. The tour through the house is interesting, but there is no photography allowed inside the mansion. For the photobug this represents a limitation. Fortunately, the mansion is high on the hill and there are wonderful views of the town and river valley from the porch. This alone makes it worth a visit.

I toured the mansion about two years ago with a friend and knew my mom would love it. Took her there for Mother's Day this past Saturday. She loved it as did my brother and 13 year old niece. Our guide was awesome. She was extremely knowledgeable and answered all our questions, even some of the behind the scenes inquiries. Yes it is a walk up many steps, but the view at the top is worth it. We were there in the rain and plan on returning on a dry day to check out the grounds.

Well preserved house gives you a good idea of what it was like to be wealthy in the 19th century. Beautiful wood work with many original furnishings. The guide did an excellent job conveying the history of the place and the story of those that lived there. Well worth the price of admission

We took the guided tour with a group, and the tour guide was very informative about the house and its history. The house was lovely. One thing I found odd was a sign that suggested tipping the tour guide.

Our tour guide told interesting stories about the Packers and the House. I've taken alot of tour but saw several items on this tour I'd never seen. One of 3 music cabinets (tall as a wardrobe) that played several instruments. House was in immaculate shape because it had been renovated for their 50 anniversary and then closed after owner died for 50 years. Guide was extremely knowledgeable and added humor. You left knowing alot about the Packers and the town.

What opulence! Could not have appreciated this place without the wonderful and informative guided tour. Well worth the time and the hike up the hill to get there!

A very nice mansion ahead of its time with many modern conveniences. Asa came before Rockefeller. Our tour guide grew up on the mansion property and knew a lot.

We went there while visiting Jim Thorpe and of course had to see the highest ranked place. The building itself and the story behind it were great. You really get to see the detail and quality that the 'rich' could get during the Industrial Revolution. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and could pretty much answer all of our questions. The timing and organization of the tour was very good. There were only 2 real issues, one strange and the other disappointing. On the strange, they lock you in after your tour begins. I don't know if I have ever done another tour that locked you in while you were on a tour, especially since there were several other workers who could keep an eye on the entrance. As to the disappointing, you were not allowed to take any pictures inside the museum. I have no idea why that was done. I have done numerous tours of mansions and we have never seen anything remotely like that. Is our flash photography that dangerous? Are they worried we are 'casing the place'? Just very disappointing, we like to keep pictures of everything we do and this time we only get pictures of the outside.

We thoroughly enjoyed this tour. Our tour guide, Rosetta, was so knowledgeable. The house is beautiful, but what is really unique is the owners possessions are still in it. Including an oversized organ; that we had the privilege of hearing. Such opulence. There is one caveat, you have to climb a lot stairs to get to the mansion. It is well worth the effort.

Our guide was informative and conveyed the history of the mansion in a very pleasant tone and cadence. we really enjoyed touring the mansion, as well as him as our tour guide. unfortunately, I do remember his name.

We were waiting for the tour and the monopoly man decided to single my niece out and tell her that she should make sure she learns something. We originally thought that it was a joke but as he made his lengthy speech at her, he kept getting closer and the joke never came. We all felt really uncomfortable and thankfully the other employee took us on the tour. Not really a great experience.

This beautiful mansion is one to explore. Based on all of the reviews, we navigated the “walk up the hill” to tour the Asa Packer home.
Anna was our guide and proved to be informative and shared very interesting family stories of the Packer family. This place is truly beautiful and very much worth your time.
While the mansion next door (built for Asa’s son, Harry) was closed, it was cool to see what was offered there (tours, events and a bar). Even more interesting was to know that Mr. Walt Disney himself was inspired by the design of this particular mansion to use for his own haunted mansion at Disney World.
Don’t miss!

The Asa Packer Mansion is a must-do in Jim Thorpe. Gives you a good overview of the family and the development of the area. The house is filled with original pieces of furniture and art works bought/collected by the family. The docent who conducted the tour was excellent and very enthusiastic.

A beautiful property built by an amazing man and his equally amazing family....the tour guides are very knowledgeable and friendly.

We enjoyed a lovely day in Jim Thorpe. A nice walk followed by a terrific lunch (Stella’s) then the tour of the mansion. What it lacks in scale it makes up for with grandiosity! Gold leaf, crystal, amazing wood work and all the modern conveniences of 1900. The tour guide was knowledgeable and entertaining. His enthusiasm for the place really showed.

Beautiful and fascinating history! The tour guides really told their story well. The home is huge! The carving on the woodwork was detailed and intricate. Worth seeing!

I grew up the next town over from Jim Thorpe, so I've done this tour many times, the most recent of which was last week. I don't know how it's possible, but it gets better each time. For anyone who enjoys history, it's an absolute must while you're in the area.

Tickets -- a modest $10 each -- are sold under the main porch area of the building. The tour, which lasts about an hour, either begins on the porch or just beneath it. (It seems to vary based on the number of staff who are working.)

The mansion exists just as it did when the last member of the immediate family -- Mary Packer Cummings, Asa Packer's daughter -- died there in 1912, willing the building to the town. It was closed for a while and eventually reopened by the local Lion's Club, which has done a stellar job of restoring and maintaining the home so it's as historically accurate as possible.

Our guide was knowledgeable and friendly, giving us several fun facts and anecdotes, as well as a sense of what life was like for a billionaire in the 1800s.

One downside is that the house is high on a hill with many steps, so it can be difficult for people with mobility issues. It also doesn't have air-conditioning and can be hot in the summer months, but fans are used on each floor to circulate the air.

The Harry Packer Mansion (a former office space built by Asa Packer and eventually given as a home to his son, Harry, as a wedding gift) sits immediately next door and now serves as an independently owned bed and breakfast.

Can't wait for my next visit!

If you have any interest in the American take on the Victorian era, this is an excellent example of the type of architecture. The guides are very well informed; there are a multitude of details; the restorations are superb; and you cannot fail to learn something interesting.

We loved the visit and would go back again if in the area.

This has to be one of the best tours we have seen anywhere. Packer was one of the richest men no one has ever heard. Great stories and history, fantastic mansion and unbelievable views. 10 bucks. What a bargain. Very impressed with our tour guide.

What a great historic house tour. The house is just as Packer had it built (including a renovation that he commissioned). Maybe more remarkable is that the furniture is nearly all original with the exception of a few small changes his daughter made. Our guide Alex was very knowledgeable and funny besides! This is a must see in Jim Thorpe.

Do not visit this place. Rude, nasty empolyee. Extremely difficult to get tickets to this place. Way too many stairs to climb to get to the mansion.

Charming house with a lot of interesting history. Asa Packer was the richest man in America when he lived there……eventually his family gave away all their money to help others.

Our tour guide Sherlie was knowledgeable and friendly. It was interesting to discover the history of AsaPacker. The mansion is full of original pierces which is why you can’t take any photos. They have postcards for sale really cheap for any pics you may want. The view from the top of the hill is breathtaking. Unfortunately we could not go on the third floor due to a leaky roof which can not be fixed at this time due to lacking funding.

The tour was very interesting and I appreciated the fact it has remained the same since the last owner passed away.

The Asa Packer Mansion is definitely a must see when visiting the beautiful quaint town of Jim Thorpe. It is immaculately preserved and brings you back to the millionaires yesteryear with all their authentic furnishings. The view from their front porch is stunning but the real treasure is touring the home and picturing their exciting lives back then in that gorgeous home. I love this house!

This fine home was built in 1865, furnished with the best of everything from nearby Philadelphia, since the homeowner also owned the local railroad. All of the contents are original to the family, not merely reproductions or period pieces. Every room is splendid. A must-see for history and architecture lovers. Important Note: there are no public restrooms at this building, so use the Visitors Center about a block away.

Such a gorgeous home! This was one of our highlights from our trip to Jim Thorpe! I feel like it’s a must see if you find yourself in the area. There are many features in this home that you will not find anywhere else!

My husband and I tour victorian mansions everywhere we go. This house museum was the reason we went to the town in the first place. It was a true gem, in original condition and well preserved. It sits high on a hill overlooking the little town and it was lovely indeed. The tour guide was very knowledgeable although the highs and lows of his voice was sometimes hard to understand what he was trying to get across. Well worth the trip and a true historical gem.

This was an amazing home. I have toured many historic homes, but both my husband and I were super impressed with this one. It stand outs out with the architecture inside and out, as well as the decor. the inside is in amazing shape as well and they let you see most of the house. Well worth a visit both for the site and the history lesson!

Beautiful mansion set in a quaint town with interesting history. The mansion itself has all original furnishing and tour guides that are knowledgeable. There are only two weird things: lack of visitor parking near the mansion making a very steep walk necessary and lack of bathrooms (with a note that there were no bathrooms in the original structure).

It is just bad business management IMHO. If you want to be tourist-centric (and get more customers), you need to meet the needs and wants of the customer. If you don't, other towns do and fickle customers who care about such things flock there instead.

So, I didn't mind those two things but mention them because it may be a problem for others.

A must see- if you are in Jim Thorpe Pa. Once you enter the mansion, you will be amazed! Our tour guide James, was very knowledgeable. We really knew nothing about Asa Parker. He told us about the history of the family, and their influence on the area. The tour is about an hour but you got to see everything as it was, all of the details in the building and the beautiful furnishings. You don’t realize from the outside -what is in the inside. A true time capsule!Well worth the visit. Things to be mindful of are - the walk up to the mansion, and NO bathroom facilities And no parking right near it. And cash only..Still worth it!

Love the tour and the history behind the house. This is the best historical house tour we’ve done so far. (And we’ve seen plenty!)

Be prepared to walk a lot of stairs to get to the mansion!! And more stairs to explore the inside.
Definitely worth the tour for the historic significance of the family and their home. About an hour for the tour.

We expected a very fine mansion, but Packer was an experienced carpenter, and when he had this place built- he brought in some very skilled craftsmen and they sweated the details- especially in the woodwork. This house, and it's contents, are very well preserved.
Our guide was very, very thorough. We had just been to the Vanderbilt Mansion two days earlier, and we got a better inside look here, and a better tour- than at that site!

It would be nice to see the third floor reopened, some carpets get replaced, and to see a local garden club restore the gardens.
Take time to walk the grounds after the tour.

This is a must see if you are in Jim Thorpe. No reproductions all original pieces. Our tour guide Kathy was very knowledgeable and obviously is proud of the home. A fascinating place!!

This museum is high up on the hill, accessible from downtown Jim Thorpe. We had hiked all day and were so sore but it was worth the steep hike up! The mansion is clearly pretty on the outside but was more spectacular inside. Unlike many homes/mansions that were refurbished, almost all the pieces were original to the time period of the 1800's. The detail was amazing. The guide was very knowledgable as well. Definitely worth the trek up. It is tour-guided and seems to have tours on the hour, so we ended up waiting over 35 minutes for the next our. That would be helpful to know next time. Also, no bathroom up there!

This was definitely the highlight of our day trip to Jim Thorpe. The story of how long the mansion was preserved for was fascinating. Other than the railroad, this is really the only thing worth doing or seeing in Jim Thorpe.

very informative on the packer family. ant the jim thorpe area. a must see. resevations recommended .

I was quite surprised to find out the tour had taken over an hour. Unlike some other tours this house is filled with the original contents of the house.
The first tour starts at 11:20.

Much history if you like to learn. What a view once you're up top. The parking isn't coconvenient. The stairs might be easier. Worth the cost for a tour. Enjoy

Such a wonderful tour! Our tour guide was a Social Studies teacher from NY who goes to work in Jim Thorpe every summer. He was very knowledgeable (and hilarious)! The walk up the hill in the heat over the 4th of July holiday was well worth it! Who would’ve known that so much history was packed into a small village in PA!

The Asa Packer Mansion is a time capsule. It was donated to the Borough of Mauch Chunk (Jim Thorpe) after Mary Packer (the last of Asa Packer's children) passed away, with specific instructions to leave it as-is. And that's exactly how the house was left. Almost everything is original, down to the now-faded carpeting. The Victorian details in the house are amazing and beautiful - carved wood, colorful wallpaper, beautiful chandeliers (electrified and gas-lit), tile, and stained glass. A real treat on the tour was the demonstration of the orchestrion that was installed on the second floor landing. Hearing it play gave me chills. Our guide was great and I definitely recommend the tour to anyone visiting Jim Thorpe. Keep in mind that the tours are abbreviated due to Covid (I would have liked to take the longer tour) and the tour fee is cash-only. Also, there are no public restrooms, so use the one at the train station before climbing the hill to the mansion.

Just took a walk around the property. It was closed at this time. But it was beautiful. Historic sight. Tour the place back in the 1999. It was a great tour. Paintings on walls were done with eyes that follow you. It was great and scary cause we were caught inside in a thunderstorm which made it more interesting. Go and visit you will love this place.

This house which was built by Asa Packer, the founder of Lehigh University, has been maintained intact with all the original furnishings. Our tour guide, who was very knowledgeable and friendly, took us through the entire house Very enjoyable and a must see while in Jim Thorpe

what a beautiful mansion. very knowledgable staff. took you back in time , beautiful view from the porch, well worth the visit....give yourself about an hour or so.

This Breathtaking Mansion has so much History behind the walls and among the l9ng covered porch!The amazing part is All was kept in tact from ever being sold or every leaving it's lovely wealthy place in this era when this Mansion was probably the only one with such wealth ,fashion,of its kind in all of PA and probably even surrounding States.With imported stones from other countries,to the amazing glass musical chiming music orchestra on the 2nd floor that played so loudly so the entire house would hear.To gold sewed custom made drapes,Gifts from Some of our famous early Presidents.
Even how central air conditioning from the Mansion ice House cooled the Family,but they even made their help have convinieces too!Like their cook or maid was very small so all the counters etc are very,very low helping her for reaching etc...Their Butler was very tall so they had his bed designed like our Wonderful, Beloved President Abe Lincoln's bed some bed very long Beautiful!!!!
I have gone through here many times over the yrs it has been open for tours,each time something different to learn or know!
If you have not visited Please Don't pass it by!
I promise you will not be disappointed!
Take a look bàck,màybe sometimes Life should of been Frozen to a certain percentage of This time Era,Things wore a lot more simple ,but much more Appropriate and Appreciated!

We took the tour on Columbus Day weekend during the Fall Fest and didn't have to wait more than a few minutes. This place is amazing and the tour is well worth the $10. Our tour guide Eva was awesome and gave us a great history lesson about the area!

This mansion contains so much. Great architecture, impressive woodwork, well kept furniture and a great story to tell. I like to see how Asa lived as a wealthy man in the Victorian era. This mansion was built to last. Careful planning was put into it. Asa placed this Mansion on a spot where he could oversee his railroad. Besides the station, it had a beautiful view of the town. The Mansion may not have been passed down generations , but it was passed down to generations of people in Jim Thorpe.
Asa Parker was a businessman who pioneered railroad construction, was active in Pennsylvania politics and founded Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA. The Mansion was completed in 1861. The architecture Samuel Sloan designed the home in Italianette architecture style. This includes a mahogany staircase, mahogany doors, low pitched roof and the ornate verandas that stand out in the pictures.
Mary Packer (daughter) lived in the home after Asa's death. After her passing, (1912) the home was willed to the Borough of Mauch Chunk to remain a memorial to her father. It is run today by the Jim Thorpe Lions Club. They started doing tours in 1956.
It is not a very expensive tour. It is full of information and this home is part of the railroad and part of America. Asa lived the American dream.
Our tour guide expressed this view. He took his time telling us about the Packer family and things in the Home. As a person who likes architecture and history, this visit was a homer! Enjoy your visit. The only bad news is that you can't take pictures inside.

We enjoyed our time looking at all the original artifacts in the mansion. I was a little surprised they let you walk on some of the original carpets. They had throw rugs over the area instead if something that fully covered the rug. Some beautiful woodwork inside. Some of the doors are two different kinds of wood put together to make one door so that each door matches the room it is seen from... pretty cool. This place only takes cash. It is also a pretty good walk up steps or along the sidewalk. If you have someone who can't walk well I did see a place where you could drop them off and let them walk a shorter distance. This area is between the mansion and the house next to it which is privately owned. There is a gravel road between the two. I don't believe you are supposed to go on the road to the mansion but you could certainly let someone out by the roadway. Inside there are some steps you will need to climb to see all three floors. I witnessed some people needing to sit down after climbing from one floor to the next. It's not often you get to see a home from the 1800's with this much of it in its original condition. Of course the history you hear is also interesting.

If you enjoy history this is the place to visit. When you enter from the porch you leave the present behind and visit the late 1800’s. The docent was knowledgeable and friendly as she led us through this beautiful mansion. The house is as it was when the packer’s lived there. Enjoyable although you can’t take photos.

I live pretty close to this location and have been many times and could probably give the tour LOL. This is a cash only establishment but the tour is so worth it. Beautiful house with lots of history, definitely recommend.

This is a wonderful old house built in 1860. The Packer family occupied it until about 1913. The house is furnished with all of the original furnishings. The woodwork, stained glass, and wood carvings are beautiful. There are a couple of places on the walls and the ceilings that have some damage, but it does not detract from the overall impression of the house. The guide was excellent and provided a lot of interesting information about ASA Packer, his family, and the house itself. Well worth the visit. $10 for adults, $9 for seniors. Park in town or at the municipal parking lot. Either way, it is just a short walk (uphill) to the house.

We had the tour of the mansion on my birthday, my 55th, and I received my first senior citizen discount! The Mansion was well maintained and the tour guide was amazing! Very friendly and knowledgeable! Only downside was the walk up, but, that is where the Mansion is located. I loved that there was a little bench on one of the landings so that you could catch your breath! Thoroughly enjoyed this!

Really nice house with some interesting facts. Most of the items in the house are original to the house. Well worth the price of admission.

This tour was one of the best I have been on. It took about one hour, very detailed information on the family that lived there, the architecture and gave us a great insight into how wealthy families of that era lived! Some of the features of the building were definitlely ahead of their time. Parking is a challenge, you have to park down the hill and walk up. But it's worth the tour.

This attraction is a "must-see" when visiting Jim Thorpe. The price of the ticket alone cannot be beat! The structure is amazing and innovative for its time. Captures the beauty and essence of Jim Thorpe.

The mansion tour was very educational ! Our guide was superb ! It was amazing to see the actual original furnishings. It was a time of amazing craftsmanship. We highly recommend it !

The mansion was simply amazing! The fact that it is intact since 1912, all of the furniture, paintings, stained glass, all of it, just absolutely amazing tour!!

Great museum, largely original home of Asa Packer. Nicely preserved, tours are small and intimate, lots of family stories shared, interestingly different than the standard house tour.

What an interesting tour. So much history and beauty. The tour guide was very informative and kept the kids attention with their fun facts.

While we rode the train in town, our fellow passengers told us that the Asa Packer Mansion was a "Must See". Taking the tour was like walking back in time.
I was a bit disappointed that we were not allowed to take pictures inside because of the chance of deterioration to the furnishings, but I was able to purchase photo cards of the main rooms for an extremely reasonable price.
We loved hearing the interesting history of the Packer family and the structure which is located close to St. Mark's Episcopal Church and overlooks the town of Jim Thorpe (Mauch Chunk). The surrounding fall foliage was beautiful!
Our tour guide was very friendly and made our visit extremely enjoyable. The impressive craftsmanship of the beautifully carved wood showcased in the house, shows the quality and pride that the workman of that era incorporated into their work.
We loved hearing the only working Orchestrion play its wonderful music.
I agree with our friends from the train - Don't miss out on touring this house.

This is a really nice tour to take; it does not take long but it is interesting. Just an FYI - the walk up to the mansion is steep so take your time.

We visited this mansion since it had been vacant since the last Packer passed away for over 40 years. Everything was in it's original state with antiques, beautiful light fixtures. Our guide Jim was a wealth of knowledge. It was worth the $10 admission or $9.00 if you were a senior.. I would not recommend taking young children in as nothing should be touched and the tour was an hour. He reviewed the Asa Packer family who lived there, describing their life. It was like going back in a time capsule. Beautiful wood, stained glass windows, pictures of family members. Jim knew all about life and death of the family and was very gracious

We had a wonderful, witty tour guide. Her name is Ann. She was very knowledgable about the Packer family and the history of the mansion. I'm so glad I didn't miss this tour.

The Asa Packer Mansion is owned by the borough of Jim Thorpe and operated by the local Lions Club. The tour guides are very engaging, and the mansion itself is decorated in period furnishings and still includes many of the Packer family items. The tour includes most of the mansion, so you're definitely not short-changed. Probably the only downfall is the walk up to the mansion -- there's no easy way to get there, and the hike is up a pretty steep hill. But it's definitely worth the trip.

Our tour guide was excellent. She knew a lot of history of the town, the area, and the family, and she was engaging and delightful. The home is intact and the history is quite interesting.

We took the tour on September 5th 2018, and couldn't be more pleased. Alex was our tour guide, and he was AMAZING! He knew EVERYTHING about the history of the House, the town, the family, we were impressed. Well worth the money! (and it was very reasonably priced!)

I've been thru several mansion tours within our state as well as the greatest in New Port Rhode Island and this one is well worth the time. The mansion is truly a time capsule. Our guide was wonderful, shared so much info and did it with such energy. When in town, you'll be sorry if you miss this tour!

Excellent your of the house of pone of the early barons of business. Wonderfully preserved. It overlooks the town of Jim Thorpe. Parking is easy and nearby.

I wasn't sure about this tour but my other half wanted to see it. Well worth the walk up the hill! Amazing how much is original in this house and unique. Our young guide, Alex, said he's been coming to the house since he was 8 and he knew a lot and answered all our questions. The woodwork alone is worth the admission.

Been to Jim Thorpe a few times but never visited the Mansion. Magnificent structure which has been very well preserved. The tour cost $9.00 for seniors. I would not suggest it for children. The tour takes about 45 minutes and you visit all 3 floors. Our tour guide was great and she was extremely knowledgeable . Asa Packer started from humble beginnings and ended up a multimillionaire. Yet he gave generously to the community and many causes. He was the founder of Leigh University and gave very generously to the University. This attraction is well worth the money

Must see tour if you are in the Jim Thorpe area!
Very knowledgeable staff explain how the builders of the home started and how they got to be one of the richest people in the country. The home is beautiful and in an unrestored manner... left how it would have been years ago when the last daughter passed away. This is not suitable for young children as there are priceless pieces of art throughout the home. If you are into historical places and american history, then you will enjoy this tour! The home is going through some renovations to preserve the historical appearance as well, which was much overdue! Glad to see a piece of local history be such a great place to visit while in town!

My family did this tour on a recent trip to the area. I am originally from the area having been raised only about 4 miles from there. I really, really loved this tour. The guide did a fantastic job and knew here history very well and she was very entertaining. If you love Victorian architecture and antiques, you will love this place. There is no reproductions here at all, everything is as it was left by Mary Packer Cummings when she left it to the city in the early 1900's. We have been to the Biltmore in NC a couple time and my wife and I both agree that this is much better. Maybe because it is smaller and you are not overwhelmed by all there is to see, I don't know. However this is a must see if you are planning a trip to this area.

This is a beautiful mansion with a very interesting history. My daughters and I enjoyed touring it and hearing about Asa Packer and his part in developing this part of our country.

As many times as we have been to Jim Thorpe, this is the first time we took the tour of the Asa Packer mansion. We have been on many estate tours and this was one of the best.

The cost for adults is $10.00 and worth every penny. The tours are given on the 1/2 hour and last about an hour. The docent gave many facts about the home and the family. He was excellent in that we followed the family from beginning to the end.

We have seen many homes of this period, and we rarely see something new or different. This home really spoke to the personalities of this family. The structural build, the items inside, and the history of the family through time is well represented. I lost count how many interesting things there are to see. I left fascinated by the house and the man, Asa Packer was a true rags to riches man who gave back to our country.

FYI: This home is high up on a hill. There are many steps both outside to get up to the house and inside the house. There is also a lot of uneven ground.