Asa Packer Mansion facts for kids
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Asa Packer Mansion
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Asa Packer Mansion, September 2004
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 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | Packer Hill Ave., Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1861 |
| Architect | Samuel Sloan |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 74001765 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | December 30, 1974 |
| Designated NHL | February 4, 1985 |
The Asa Packer Mansion is a historic house museum located in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania. It was finished in 1861. This grand house was once the home of Asa Packer (1805–1879). He was a very successful businessman who made his fortune in coal and railroads. Asa Packer also gave a lot of money to good causes and started Lehigh University. He was a big part of creating the Lehigh Valley Railroad system.
The mansion is one of the best examples of an Italianate Villa style home in the United States. It still has its original furniture and decorations from the Victorian era. Because of its importance, it was named a National Historic Landmark in 1985.
Contents
What Does the Mansion Look Like?
The Asa Packer Mansion is found near the old downtown area of Jim Thorpe. It sits on a hill overlooking the Lehigh River. Right next door is the Harry Packer Mansion, which belonged to Asa Packer's son.
Mansion Design and Features
The Asa Packer Mansion was built around a strong cast iron frame. It cost about $14,000 to build, which was a lot of money back then. The house has three stories and 18 rooms. It has a red tin roof with ribs and a two-story covered porch. Both the main roof and the porch roof have wide edges with decorative brackets. A small tower called a cupola sits on top of the main roof.
The porch has fancy Italianate details. These include arched decorations with delicate patterns. The inside of the mansion is also very grand. It still has its original wooden features, details, and furniture from the time Asa Packer lived there.
The Mansion's Story
Asa Packer asked for the mansion to be built in what was then called Mauch Chunk. It was completed in 1861. The architect who designed it was Samuel Sloan from Philadelphia. Sloan also designed other famous buildings.
Building the Grand Home
It took Samuel Sloan about two years to finish the mansion. The house is very similar to a design Sloan showed in his 1852 book, Model Architect. In this book, he promoted the Italian Villa style of architecture. The mansion is decorated with beautiful marble fireplaces and shiny gilded mirrors. Many of these were added for the Packers' 50th wedding anniversary in 1878.
The mansion also has many special details. These include Gothic-style carvings and unique window arches. The wood panels inside are also very detailed. The original furniture shows how wealthy the Packer family was. This furniture is still kept in the mansion today.
Visiting the Mansion Today
After Mary Packer Cummings, Asa Packer's daughter, passed away in 1912, she left the house to the town of Mauch Chunk. She wanted it to be a memorial to her father and all he had achieved. The town wasn't sure what to do with the house, so it stayed closed for 44 years.
How It Became a Museum
In 1956, the Jim Thorpe Lions Club decided they wanted to start a new community project. They asked the town about opening the mansion. It finally opened for tours on Memorial Day in 1956.
The town of Jim Thorpe owns the mansion. The Jim Thorpe Lions Club helps manage its money. Today, Ronald J Sheehan is the executive director. He is in charge of running this important historic property.
The mansion was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. It was then named a National Historic Landmark in 1985. It is also part of the Old Mauch Chunk Historic District.
When to Visit
The museum is open seven days a week from Memorial Day until October 31. It is also open on weekends in April, May, November, and the first three weekends in December.
Images for kids
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Rear View
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Side View
See also
