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See Asa Packer Mansion Museum
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The place
About Asa Packer Mansion Museum
Philadelphia architect Samuel Sloan designed the three-story mansion for Asa Packer, a railroad magnate, philanthropist, and founder of Lehigh University. The house was completed in the early 1860s and retains the red roof, cupola, and cast-iron structural system that distinguish it above downtown.
Packer’s daughter Mary Packer Cummings left the home and its contents to the Borough of Mauch Chunk in 1912 as a memorial to her father. The museum opened to visitors in 1956, and the house was recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 1985.
Tours focus on the Packer family and the original contents of the house. This is the most direct historical companion to the train: the mansion explains the person, capital, and railroad network behind the Lehigh Valley transportation story visible from the station below.
What stands out
A railroad founder’s home
The preserved family residence supplies direct context for Asa Packer and the Lehigh Valley Railroad.
Original contents
The docent-led route presents objects owned by the Packer family rather than a generic Victorian recreation.
Above the depot
The mansion’s hillside position makes it the closest major history pairing for the scenic railway.
Pair it with the train
Why it belongs in a Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway trip
The mansion sits on Packer Hill immediately above the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway station. Buy a mansion tour when you arrive and leave at least an hour between the train and tour; the climb and first-come tour queue make a tight connection risky.
Before you go
Plan your visit
- Tour formatAdmission is by docent-guided tour only; tours can last up to 45 minutes.
- 2026 seasonWeekend openings begin in April, expand after Memorial Day, and continue on a seasonal pattern through December; confirm the current day before traveling.
- AdmissionThe official 2026 tour page publishes age-based admission and says cash and credit cards are accepted.
- ArrivalTickets are first come, first served after arrival, and tours can sell out. The last regular tour is published for 3:30 p.m.
- AccessibilityThe official tour page does not publish enough information to promise step-free access through the original three-story house; call before visiting with mobility needs.
- Visitor policiesPhotography, recording, food, drinks, strollers, large bags, touching furnishings, and non-service animals are prohibited during tours.
Walk deeper into town
Add Old Jail Museum
Continue through the historic district for a guided look at the former Carbon County Jail and Molly Maguire story.
Useful answers
Frequently asked questions
Is the mansion close to the scenic railway?
Yes. It is on Packer Hill above the Jim Thorpe station, but the uphill walk and first-come tour queue require extra time.
Can I tour on my own?
No. The museum states that admission is by docent-guided tour only.
Can I take photographs inside?
No. The official visitor policies prohibit still photography, filming, video, and audio recording during the tour.
Is the mansion accessible?
The official visitor page does not publish sufficient step-free access details for the original three-story house. Call the museum before purchasing if access determines whether you can visit.
Should I buy in advance?
Regular visitors purchase after arriving. Tours can sell out, so the museum recommends buying as soon as you reach the property.
Trust and accuracy
Sources
Source checked 2026-08-11. This free guide has not yet been confirmed by the venue. Current hours, prices, services, and accessibility can change; confirm time-sensitive details directly.