Welcome To The Asa Packer Mansion Museum
The Mansion overlooks the Old Mauch Chunk National Historic District. The appearance of the home is not much different than when it was constructed in 1861. While the exterior has changed slightly from its original fashion, the interior is virtually intact! Mary Packer Cummings lived in the home after her father's passing until her own in 1912. Her will stipulated the home and furnishings be left to the Borough of Mauch Chunk as a memorial to her father and his accomplishments. The Mansion is not a restoration! It exists essentially as it did when the Packer family resided here from October 16, 1861 to October 29, 1912. Visitors also have the opportunity to be entertained by Mary Packer Cummings's 1905 Model D Grand Welte Cottage Orchestrion, the only working Model D left in The United States!
Daily Tour Information and Hours of Operation
The Mansion is open weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) during the months of April and May. The Mansion is open seven days a week from Memorial Day to October 31. Hours of operation are 11:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. Tour times are every half hour beginning at 11:15 assuming tours stay on schedule. It does depend upon the flow of visitors; however, there is no more than half an hour wait in-between to accommodate preceding tours. The last tour departs promptly at 4:00 unless otherwise noted. Tours consist of a docent-guided presentation detailing the history of the Packer Family and visitors have an opportunity to view the family's personal possessions. Please be advised that tours can last 1 hour depending upon the size of the group, the number of questions asked, and the level of interest. As tours can sell out rather quickly, it is recommended that visitors purchase tickets as soon as possible upon their arrival. Tickets are sold on a first come - first serve basis and tours begin beneath the porch of The Mansion. Reservations are only required for groups of 15 or more.
Group Tour Information and Reservations
Groups of 15 or more guests are required to make a reservation. Reservations may be made by contacting The Mansion at 570.325.3229 or for your convenience via email. When making a reservation, please include: group name, point of contact, contact information (address, phone number and email address if applicable), date and time of arrival, and number of guests. Full payment is required 10 days prior to arrival in order to confirm your reservation and to ensure that The Mansion is fully staffed to accommodate your group.
Shuttle Service For Group Tours
As large motorcoaches are not permitted on Packer Avenue, a shuttle service for group tours (15 or more guests) is provided by The Mauch Chunk Museum and Cultural Center. The cost is $4.00 per guest round trip. The shuttle departs from the Pocono Mountain Visitors Bureau. Please contact John Drury, proprietor of The Mauch Chunk Museum and Cultural Center, at 570.325.4436 for additional information regarding use of the shuttle service.
Admission
Admission is by docent-guided tour only.
- General Admission (Ages 19-54) $8.00
- Senior Citizen (Ages 55+) $7.00*
- Student (Ages 6-18) $5.00
- Child (Ages 5-Under)** $3.00
Credit cards and personal checks cannot be accepted at this time.
Group tour rates are based upon Admission categories.
**Please be advised that the tour is not recommended for small children due to the content and duration of the tour.
Customs and Courtesies
On June 21, July 19, and August 30, The Mansion will be open during usual business hours as well as extended evening hours. There will be 2 tours each night -the first tour will leave at 6 p.m. and the second tour will leave at 7 p.m. These tours are on a first come basis.
Directions
The Mansion is located directly behind the Carbon County Courthouse and overlooks the Old Mauch Chunk National Historic District. For turn-by-turn driving directions, please enter your address in the MapQuest element. If using a GPS, please use Packer Avenue or 40° 51′ 50″ N, 75° 44′ 16″ W.
The Fall Foliage Festival: October 6-7, 13-14, 20-21
The Mansion will be open for tours during the entire month of October. Due to the high volume of visitors, weekend tours during the Fall Foliage Festival will be abbreviated, lasting 40-45 minutes. As tours can sell out rather quickly during the Fall Foliage Festival, it is recommended that visitors purchase tickets as soon as possible upon their arrival. Tickets are sold on a first come - first serve basis. Please be advised that The Mansion does not offer Halloween or "scary" tours. Weekday group tours may be scheduled at any time during normal hours of operation and are required to have 15 or more guests. Weekend group tours may only be scheduled prior to 11:00 A.M. It is recommended that groups reserve tours well in advance .
Olde Time Christmas: December 1-2, 8-9
The Mansion will be open for tours during the first two weekends of Olde Time Christmas - weather permitting. The house will be decorated for your holiday enjoyment during the months of November and December.
Evening Tours
The Mansion is original to the 19th Century and contains priceless objects that were owned by the Packer family. In order to preserve The Mansion's authenticity, visitors are required to observe and adhere to the following policies to ensure the best possible visit for all:
- Smoking is prohibited.
- Please turn off all cellular phones and other electronic devices.
- Food and beverages are prohibited inside The Mansion.
- Strollers and large backpacks or bags are not permitted inside The Mansion.
- Still photography, filming, video and audio recording are prohibited while on tour.
- Stay together as a group. Be attentive to your docent’s instructions at all times.
- Please do not touch the artifacts as the oils and acids even in clean hands can cause irreparable damage.
- Do not sit or lean upon the furnishings. Refrain from leaning on walls.
- Smoking is prohibited.- Please turn off all cellular phones and other electronic devices.- Food and beverages are prohibited inside The Mansion.- Strollers and large backpacks or bags are not permitted inside The Mansion.- Still photography, filming, video and audio recording are prohibited while on tour.- Stay together as a group. Be attentive to your docent’s instructions at all times.- Please do not touch the artifacts as the oils and acids even in clean hands can cause irreparable damage.- Do not sit or lean upon the furnishings. Refrain from leaning on walls. If we detect any violation of the rules through our guides or security system, you will be asked to leave the property.
