The Historic Seelye Mansion in Abilene, Kansas

Enjoy a tour of the mansion, gardens and museum | Open Daily

The Seelye Mansion is one of the finest homes in Kansas. A New York architect designed the new home in Georgian style for Dr. and Mrs. A. B. Seelye in 1904. It was built in 1905 at a cost of $55,000. The mansion contains the original furniture and Edison light fixtures. You will tour 25 rooms, including eleven bedrooms, ballroom, bowling alley, and kitchen areas. Special items of interest are the beautiful dining room, music room with gold French furniture and Steinway grand piano, library, and the Tiffany-designed fireplace in the grand hall.

The Patent Medicine Museum has many artifacts of the A. B. Seelye Medical Company. Founded in 1890, more than 100 products were sold over a 14-state area. Best known cure-alls included Wasa-Tusa, Fro-Zona, and Ner-Vena.

Continuous Guided Tours

10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday thru Saturday 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday other times available by appointment

Admission

• Adults: $10.00
• Groups 10 or more: $7.50
• Children age 6 - 16: $5.00
• All youth groups: $5.00
• Tours include mansion, gardens, and museum

Gardens

An important part of touring the Seelye Mansion is enjoying the beautiful yard and gardens that surround the historic home. The patio and fish pond have been restored using 1905 landscape drawings. The picture below shows the fountain and rose garden areas, which were once the carriage drive.

Weddings and Special Events

The Seelye Mansion and Gardens are available for weddings, receptions, and other special events.
Contact us at (785)263-1084 or by email at seelyemansion@yahoo.com

Christmas Tours

Christmas Tours of the Seelye Mansion are a favorite for most guests. Many Christmas trees, poinsettias, beautiful decorations, and a collection of 700 nutcrackers are used throughout the home. Holiday tours begin the day after Thanksgiving and continue through early January. The Seelye Mansion was featured on the HGTV special, Christmas Castles of America, in 2000.

Your help is neededThe Seelye Mansion is one of the special homes of Kansas, and was recognized in 2008 as one of the "8 Wonders of Kansas Architecture." The mansion is now owned by the Tietjens Memorial Foundation and has a 501(c)3 tax code. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.

Tours and special events provide only part of the funds needed to continue the preservation of this historic mansion in Abilene. Donations are always appreciated, and are tax deductible. Thank you.