Phelps Mansion Museum Reviews

Lovely Place, with friendly staff!! I went there a couple of weeks ago and just absolutely loved the place. Its been long since I've been treated this well in a place. Very informative and family friendly. A must when visiting lovely Binghamton. Keep up the good work!!

We stumbled upon Phelps Museum as a side note to our trip to Binghamton for a wedding. I can't say how impressed we were with the tour, the quality of the guide, and the experience altogether. I want to come back for the candlelight tour.

Our visit to the Phelps Mansion Museum was interesting and educational. Our guide was passionate about the house and extremely knowledgable. Our kids range in age from 8 to 21 and everyone was fascinated by what we learned. Highly recommend.

The Phelps Mansion is an amazing example of Victorian architecture, beautifully preserved and lovingly tended. The staff / tour guide was professional, highly knowledgeable, and thoroughly personable. It's a wonderful glimpse into the life of people in another time.

While visiting family in Binghamton NY, my sister and I had the opportunity to visit the Phelps Mansion. We were given a tour by the very knowledgeable and engaging staff, who were not only well versed in the history of the mansion and it's family members, but in the history of the city as well. Very interesting and informative!

Mansion is in magnificent condition. Stepped back in time during out tour with knowledgeable and charming Bob Keller who brought the Monday club efforts to save the mansion to life and is a living treasure himself!

As a child growing up in Binghamton in the '60's, I could never go into this house and am so glad I took the time to visit now. It's spectacular and well worth the wait! I have traveled all over the world, and this house is truly one of the most magnificent I've seen anywhere. For $5, you get a guide who will give you an amazing history of Binghamton, and access to a house that boasts exquisite woodwork, elaborate gasoliers, and the kind of opulence no one can recreate today.

I took my fifteen year old niece here for something to do and she loved it! The volunteers are well informed, friendly and enthusiastic. It was beautiful, interesting, and educational. I highly recommend it!!

Sherman Phelps was a prominent businessman who resided in Binghamton in the late 19th century. His mansion is well preserved, and is typical of the Victorian style. But the real interest of this tour is the history of the Phelps family, the architect who designed and built the mansion, and their connection to Binghamton. If you want a good introduction to the city, this would be a great place to start. Our tour guide was excellent; this was an hour well spent.

The architecture, particularly the wood work inside, is very impressive! The tour is very nice. The guide pointed out a lot of details in the wood work! If you go on first Friday evening of each month (as part of the First Friday Art Walk), the tour is free.

I am so thankful for the wonderfully extensive tour I received even though I was just one person on the tour! The Phelps mansion has such a full history from architecture, to politics, to local culture and people. And there was the added bonus of a spirit siting just in time for the Halloween season!

It was an amazing experience. Having lived here all my life I never got the time to see the Phelps Mansion. It was worth the wait

We went to listen to a local historian speak. We could have listened all day. It was wonderful and only $5. They had a lunch served there but that would be cost more so we at at a local restaurant.

A must see if you are spending time in the area.
The home is beautifully preserved and displayed. Joe, our guide was so knowledgeable and informative. It was a wonderful way to spend an hour while visiting with our daughter, a student in the University.

This is well worth a visit while you are in Binghamton
Like most of this area there is a heap of history ,some up to 300 years old..
You really need to at least have a couple of hrs to spare to take it all in.
While we were there some repairs were being done to the building ,so some of the displays were a bit hard to see. When that is finished it will be all good.

We had a wonderful tour of the mansion today. Truly a well preserved piece of history. The home is beautiful and highly recommend having a tour guide.

My husband and I enjoyed every minute of our tour. Our “tour guide” Joe was great, very knowledgeable, and had the answers to all our questions. The house is so beautiful and when I get rich, I’ll live like that too!!!

Interesting chandeliers in every room. Our docent, Dillon, did a good job of describing the house and its history. Unfortunately, very little of the original furnishing are remaining but they have attempted to get period pieces and acknowledge them.

Since no one else was with me, my docent gave me my own private tour. I was able to ask many questions and receive an in-depth learning experience. The mansion is well-preserved inside and out. They are in the process of doing even more restoration. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit.

I called to see what was happening there for a possible visit. Person said Billy Riordan?? Not sure of spelling...they knew nothing about their guest so why should I go and attend something no one knows about? Was not willing to check it out without a hint of who the guy is!

Had a great visit! The tour was very interesting and Joe, the tour guide, was very knowledgeable. If in the area you should definitely do this.

We visited the Phelps Mansion Museum on Saturday, May 27th for an eleven o’clock tour. Our tour guide (Joe) was a very pleasant and knowledgeable tour manager. He had an incredible store of stories and tales of the history and the construction of the mansion. We really enjoyed his guidance throughout this museum. I would recommend that this be a great stop during any stay in Binghamton.

We met Frank our tour guide who led us from room to room telling us about each and pointing out interesting facts about the mansion, who built it and the people who lived there. The woodwork was different in each room and was so amazingly beautiful as was the staircase. It was fun to imagine how it would've been to live there . We learned not only about the mansion,but also some of Binghamton's history.There was plenty of time to ask questions and Frank's answers were knowledgeable and complete. I am so glad we finally got a tour of the mansion. We were not disappointed at all.

A fabulous tour of a treasure. An exceptionally well-preserved example of architecture in Binghamton from its heyday!

I recently moved to Binghamton and each time I passed this mansion on court street it peaked my interest And I thought I just had to have a look inside. There’s a sign on the black iron gate in front of the mansion that says they give tours so I went home looked up the name of the mansion and bought two tickets for friends and mine to go on a tour Sunday afternoon. My adult ticket was $7 dollars and my friend who is a senior citizen was only $5 dollars. You can arrive anytime between 11 AM and 4:30 PM and tours are continuous every half hour the tours last about one hour. We were greeted when we entered by our tour guide his name is John. He gave us a complete tour of the mansion he was extremely informative and knew so much about the mansion and the people that have live there he was also extremely polite and patient in answering a lot of our questions. There’s also a cute little area in the store that is there a gift shop where you can buy books postcards refrigerator magnets candy etc. I definitely want to go back for another tour in the near future after I do some more reading up on the mansion there is a lot to take in on one visit so a second visit would probably be a great idea. The mansion also has events that take place throughout the month they have notices that inform you of that when you enter the mansion you can also sign up to be on their email list. Definitely worth $12!!

My husband and I had a few hours between a wedding and the reception in Binghamton. We wanted to find something to do other than shopping, so we picked the Phelps Mansion Museum. This was not only one of the most impressive buildings we've seen, but also one of the best tours. Our knowledgeable and friendly docent, Frank, spent so much time with us, giving us lots of interesting historical information and answering all of our questions. We didn't want to leave! If you're in or near Binghamton, the Phelps Mansion is a must see!

We had our two granddaughters with us, (a teenager and young adult), and wanted to do something different that everyone would enjoy. I checked on TA and we decided to take a tour of Phelps Mansion. We weren't disappointed, except for the fact that the third floor had to be torn down a while ago.

The first part of our tour was conducted by Robert, a very knowledgeable young man of 92 years. He knows so much about the mansion, and even decorated one of the rooms and provided some of the furniture himself.

The downstairs is the most impressive, although the entire home has 14' ceilings, very thick, beautiful wood doors, pretty fireplaces, etc. One of the most awesome parts of the upstairs is the fireplace with a window over it.

The upstairs portion of the tour was conducted by Joe. Both tour guides were very friendly.

Joe told us that all the windows except one are original....amazing.

My granddaughters want to go back between September 30 and November 13th, when there will be caskets, etc on display.

Adult price tickets are $7 each, but students and seniors are only charged $5.

This is an interesting piece of history. The house is well preserved and magnificent. We too had Joe as our guide and he was well informed and very willing to answer questions and to accommodate latecomers. Take the time to visit.

This tour was a great way to learn more about Binghamton! I just arrived two days ago and will be here for the next 10 weeks, starting out knowing nothing now through this tour I feel more connected to this city!

Beautiful mansion of a by-gone era. tour was very engaging and professional. Guide gave lots of insight into the history of those that lived and used the mansion. Guide also told us about some of the ghost-tales associated with the mansion. Fun to do for an afternoon.

This mansion is such an interesting place! Beautiful home and the guide was informative and entertaining.

walking in this old mansion was a step back in time, there was entertainment and a local artist was honored.

Really nice tour. The guide knew what was happening and the really cool highlights. A great site for Gilded Age information and artifacts.

We visited on a quiet and cold Sunday, just myself and young daughter. She could have been easily bored, but was not - the docent was very friendly and engaging, and we learned a lot about the Phelps family and history of the mansion. Thanks for a great tour! Also thanks to the mansion mascot, Gail the Griffin!

WE recently bought a house similar in age in PA. we enjoyed the tour and the information shared. Did not know people did not go outside much back then.

We often try to take in at least one mansion while we are traveling. The Phelps mansion was our selection this time. We took the guided tour on a warm morning. The guide was excellent and eagerly ready to answer any questions. All of the architecture remains however areas are not entirely accessible due to damage. The areas that we did see had original wood carvings that wonderfully showed the artisans of the period. The original architect made himself well apportioned in the interior design. Mr Phelps was an interesting character. Expect about 30 to 40 minutes and some wonderful woodwork. Enjoy

My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our tour of the Phelps Mansion. It is a beautiful Gothic home that it is immaculate condition. The tour is just the right length (about an hour); our docent Emily was very knowledgeable, enthusiastic, down-to-earth, fun and entertaining. Everyone in our group seemed to really appreciate her. I would recommend this to anyone who is Binghamton.

Who knew that this gem was located in downtown Binghamton? The quality of the work....the excellent condition....the terrific docents....Don't miss it!!!

Our guide was great, he knew a lot about the mansion and the areas history. He made us feel welcome and the tour pace was casual and relaxed. We enjoyed the whole experience!

It was an unusual night with the audience right in the same room with the actors. I loved that you could follow your pick of actors to other rooms to see an act close up.....

Magnificent experience, so glad we decided to do this tour! The staff was welcoming and extremely friendly, and I the mansion was breathtaking. It was an unforgettable experience and we can’t wait to return! Thank you!

We were traveling back from Niagara Falls to New Jersey and decided to stop halfway in Binghamton. We looked online to see what’s best to do in this quaint city and this tour was the number one recommended thing, and now I understand why. Our tour guide Helen knew everything and anything about the mansion, it’s past owners, the history of the woman’s club, and the city’s founding. She was warm and welcoming and answered every question we had. If you are looking for something to do that’s inexpensive, not time consuming, and educational, I would highly recommend touring this museum. The inside is something straight from the Gilded Age and the tour guides available are amazing!

I was intrigued by the facade and decided to check it out. I am glad I did. The house is beautiful and the history is fascinating.

Wonderfully preserved mansion from yesteryear. Great woodwork and furnishings, interesting family story (and a connection to Simsbury CT if you are from that area). Excellent tour guide as well!

Tour guide Joe was wonderful and full of information as he took our family of 6 (ages 9-42) through this amazing mansion. The beauty, stories, and history was appealing to all of us- even the one that didn't want to go!

Stately mansion leading to a time travel trip through the 19th and 20th centuries. Totally worth a pleasant afternoon. Exquisite architecture harkens back to an age long gone. A veritable portal into history filled with ghosts and memorabilia and special events. One of Binghamton's downtown gems. Don't miss it. And check out the thickness and height of the doors!!!! You don't find that at the local home improvement depot.

The Phelps Mansion provided us with a glimpse into Binghamton's history and past grandeur. Our tour guide and caretakers were extremely informative, not only of the history of the home, but Binghamton history overall. The five dollar cash admission fee was beyond reasonable for the quality, knowledge and overall experience. We would recommend locals and visitors to prioritize this tour.

We received a personal tour, arriving early on a Friday. Our curator, Robert Keller, was outstanding. He has had a distinguished career as a curator and professor and made our tour quite memorable. The condition of the mansion, most notably it's woodwork, is remarkable. This is a must see when it comes to Binghamton history. You will surely be impressed!

Beautiful and interesting place to visit. The inside is something to see. We stayed almost two hours. The kids may get restless after an hour,

The Phelps Mansion is one of those great house museums with a lot of fun and interesting stories about its occupants, history, and architectural design. A must see for anyone interested in historic preservation, local history, and/or Victorian and Gilded Age architecture. Thank you to Joe (our docent) and the historic preservation community in the Southern Tier for keeping places like this open for the public to experience.

We really enjoyed our visit to the Phelps Mansion, tucked away in the eastern end of downtown Binghamton. The house is very impressive, especially the first floor, with many elaborate wood finishes, mirrors, fireplaces, etc. Our docent, Maggie, was charming and very knowledgeable. Recommended for anyone with an interest in history.

My self and my daughter went for a tour at the Mansion. We were greeted as soon as we walked into the house, Very friendly took a tour right away. Was such a beautiful house, they don't make them like that any more. Well worth the trip. Staff very knowledgeable gave lots of information and history on Binghamton. Go!!! Such a great value, wait until you see the stair case and wood work! Don't wait...

Great personal tour by Joseph- a Newport, RI native and full time docent at this mansion for two years. He answered all my questions about the source of Sherman's $100,000 he brought to Binghamton at age 40 in 1854 and the women's club who saved it from demolition in 1905 and the rebuilding of the entire 3rd floor in 2002.
Well worth the $7 admission. Joseph could not confirm whether Michael Phelps- (the Olympic swimmer) was related to this Phelps.

Outstanding example of hand-carved wood moldings, fireplace mantels and huge curved and pocket doors in well-kept 1871 home of very wealthy Binghamton businessman. Personal tour was excellent, lasted over an hour, and encouraged us to look into the history further.

My sister and I decided to visit this house on a whim. Are we glad we did! Our guide, Frank, was very informative and friendly. We highly recommend this tour for history buffs and fans of old houses, antiques, and local interest stories.

The caretaker was super nice and knowledgeable. My crazy sister and I had an amazing time. The mansion was in pristine condition and the care taker was very knowledgeable and patient. We loved the Phelps mansion! 1 million times better than the Robinson and half the price. Absolutely loved it! Would go again and again and again!

What a great place to visit. We made reservations ahead of time and during Covid your tour is up to 6 people and will only include who you arrive with.. So no outside strangers are in your group. Joe greeted us when we arrived. We tour many mansions in different states and this was at the top of tours we have gone on. The home was still decorated for Christmas so it was nice and cozy. Beautifully decorated. The woodwork is breathtaking. Joe was very informative and always had answers for any questions we had. We could see that he really loves the home and cares for it. He's very friendly and made our experience one to remember. We definitely want to visit again and bring others with us.

We had a marvelous time at Phelps Mansion listening to the Blue Velvet Band. The music was great and their vocalist was wonderful. Refreshments were available, parking was ample and the venue was perfect.
An added bonus was the couples that came out to dance to the music. They were a treat to watch.

The guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. She made our tour a nice experience. It was well worth the admission fee. The mansion, woodwork, lighting, etc. were all original to the home. The obvious draftsmanship, hand-carving, choices of wood, marble/tile, selections of chandeliers, was incredible. The history of those who were involved the original owner and family, the man who design the structure, and the builder was fascinating and instructive. Although the furnishings are not original, they were period and tastefully placed around the mansion giving you a sense of how these folks lived. I would recommend this to anyone who likes mansions and is near Binghamton, NY.

Definitely worth a stop if you're in Binghamton. Very friendly and knowledgeable docents, a wonderful and fascinating tour of the mansion.

Went last Friday, very good tour. Very informative. Tour guide was excellent! Amazing how this man lived many, many years ago.

We had about two hours to kill and decided to visit the mansion. We enjoyed the tour and appreciated the history. The wood working is very impressive. I love the small nuggets of history .

The Phelps Mansion was amazing. The woodwork in each room was magnificent. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable about the history of the people who lived in the house and those who built the house.

Worth the time (about an hour) to see such a well preserved and beautiful building. Staff and docent were welcoming and knowledgeable

We were returning home from a trip to the Finger Lakes and decided to take a rest breK in Binghamton. We had our own private tour by a gentleman (I apologize that I couldn't remember his name) who was very knowledgeable about the mansion and city as well. It is a lovely home with extraordinary wood working. It is definitely worth a stop and we'll worth the 5 dollar entry fee.

WE went thru this mansion with Frank.. what a great guy. He was so knowledgeable. made this awesome mansion tour even better.... but it was great on its own. we enjoyed this and anxious to give this tour a strong 5 star...

Frank answered all our questions and told great stories! We were the last tour of the day and did not feel rushed. Great experience. Will go back for special events.

Amazing experience, enjoyed learning about the mansion. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and friendly and made the experience even better.

My husband and I visited the Phelps Mansion Museum on 22nd June 2018 on our way back to New Jersey from the Finger Lakes Region. We stopped in Binghamton to see a town that we had not visited before. We checked Tripadvisor for the favorite place to visit in this town and found references to the mansion. We were pleasantly surprised by the beauty and magnificence of the mansion.
Restoration of the mansion is amazing with beautifully displayed period pieces. Our guide, Florien was very knowledgeable about the mansion’s history and its architects, builders, owners and restorers.
Therefore, if you are in Binghamton area and have a couple of hours, I would highly recommend you to visit the mansion and take a peek into your history and support the cause of restoring and preserving historical buildings.

Wonderful history, great learning about the forward thinking women from Binghamton. They had the foresight to purchase this property and make it powerful.

My husband and I visited this great museum on Saturday. Our tour guide, Helen was phenomenal and really added so much great information about the museum and the history of Binghamton. I would recommend a stop here for anyone passing through or who lives in the Binghamton area.

I highly recommend this beautiful mansion if you're visiting or if you live in Binghamton, NY! It was well worth the stop! Thanks!

Outstanding tour hands down. The staff were great and knew everything about the history of this amazing mansion.

Thanks!

Peter & Connie

A+++++++++

We went to this museum on a Sunday afternoon in downtown Binghamton. Not knowing what to expect; we were extremely pleased with this tour. The guide is not only knowledgeable about the mansion; but the area as well. He gave us a history lesson on the area and how it pertained to the mansion. There were old photos of the mansion and the area when it first started to become developed and grow in population. He tied personal stories of the residents and their releationships to each other and the growth of the town. It was very interesting and entertaining. The furnishings in the house were both original and replicas of the time period. The inside was beautiful and a pleasure to view. The tour took about 45 minutes and cost $5 per person. Also, the mansion is reported to be haunted and has been visited by several physics....hmmmm. Well worth the money. There are stairs to climb to enter the mansion and more stairs to view the upstairs living quarters if this is a concern. Parking is very accessible on the grounds and its free.

Fantastic! Joseph, our guide, was professional, engaging and informative. One can tell he loves the Mansion and it's history. Had never been at the Phelps Mansion before. It was recommended by a friend. So glad we visited. Looking forward to going back again.

My ten-year-old daughter and I where in Binghamton and decided to do something fun. We came across the Phelps Museum. We had a great day, our guide was filled with information. I really wish the third floor would have been intact, it would have been wonderful to see it in its original state. Other than that the house was amazing. We will definitely be going back around Halloween for their haunted tour.

What a wonderful day my husband and I had at this beautiful mansion! Frank gave an in-depth tour of the house and filled us with facts about the Phelps family and the Monday Women's Luncheon Club that kept this historic building in such pristine condition. We are discovering many treasures in the Binghamton Area!

Great tour by Carol and Chelsea. They were very knowledgeable and informative. The home is well cared for. Thoroughly enjoyed our 1 1/2 hr tour.

Very interesting, the selected items put into the mansion, they don't build them like that today! The guide was a retired history teacher and added a lot of information . The tour was only to last one hour and we were there one and a half hours, and she didn't seem to mind. Very reasonable cost to visit also.

Joe is very kind and a wealth of information. What a great tour. So glad we did this. This tour will really give you an appreciation for how splendid a town Binghamton used to be.

We highly recommend it.

Our guide is Joe and he is so nice and told us a lot of stories of the mansion. We love this tour. Currently they only allow one family or related parties in one tour for the protocol reason. We are so happy to join the tour. The admissions is very reasonable. $8 adult and $6 students. We booked online in advance.

We loved the detail work in all the woodwork throughout the house. The natural daylight in parts of the house was amazing. The layout of the rooms was well planned. The tour guide was excellent. We were very pleased that we stopped and waited for the mansion to open up for the day.

I enjoyed this tour of the beautiful mansion. We took the Death and Mourning in the 19th Century tour and it was very interesting. The mansion had many stories and information about how a love's one death was conducted during that time.

Tour guide was excellent…very knowledgeable and great pacing. Very personable and took his time with us.

Frank was my tour guide, he was terrific. He also took extra time when we delved into the Welsh connection. I was blown away by the wood and the thickness of it in this house, not to mention the simple things like the front door hinges.This was my best stop in Binghamton!
I'm just a crazy Harley chick who loves architecture and history. I would recommend to all. Thank You for a beautiful afternoon!!!

The Phelps mansion is beautiful & Frank was the best tour guide ever! It truly is a gem in my hometown.

Beautiful woodwork that constitutes grand architecture! Not only is this a lovely home to be visited for pure aesthetic appeal, the Phelp's Mansion Museum is a pretty freakin' dank trip to the past. It captures a lot of the antiquity hidden throughout all of Binghamton, preserving over a century of history.

I brought my parents thru when we had a weekend to kill after coming back a bit early for spring break. It was deeply enjoyable and showed a charming side of Binghamton that I haven't really seen in my three years here. Family friendly and pretty dope!

Give yourself at least an hour to check it out.
Amazing that this place survived.
The tour guide actually lives there and is a wealth of knowledge on local history.

My teenage daughter and I toured the Mansion today while in town for a college visit. We both agreed that everything about the tour was exceptional and worth the stop. We were greeted by Shane, a friendly gentleman who waited with us until the next tour began. He entertained and educated us with stories of the Gilded age and of the former mansion residents. The tour of this beautiful mansion was outstanding. Even though we were the only ones in the last tour of the day, our guide Joe was very informative and enthusiastic. The tour was worth every penny and all time spent (about an hour) as the rooms are not roped off. You are able to enter all rooms ,visualize yourself in the era while hearing the stories from Joe. Loved it!!

This was wonderful. We had a private tour, got to see everything up close and ask lots of questions. Both the volunteers and docent were friendly, welcoming, and engaging. The custom woodwork was fascinating. Worth the time!

The mansion is absolutely beautiful! I especially loved all the doors and windows! Our tour guide Frank gave us a very informative and enjoyable tour! So glad you get to go through the entire mansion! Will definitely be back, would especially like to visit when there is going to be a clothing Exhibit!

I really enjoyed Marie Meets the Nutcracker. Taking place at the Phelps Mansion made the play even more entertaining. The Mansion is a beautiful Museum and I would recommend to everyone to visit.

Great guided visit to the impressive Phelps Mansion Museum. Andrea, our charming and extremely knowledgeable guide, was most informative, and truly made the history of the mansion come alive. Definitely a must for anyone visiting Binghamton!

We were staying in downtown Binghamton on Sunday, June 9, 2024. We knew nothing about the Phelps Mansion, but in looking for something to do I found it online, it sounded great and it was open. My wife and I walked over there about 3 PM for the last tour of the day. The house was built in 1870 at a cost of $120,000 (would be almost 3 million in 2024 dollars) by the wealthy banker & judge Sherman Phelps. Unfortunately, his wife soon died, then he died in 1878, his sons lived there and then died in 1881, the widow of the son lived there another year alone then died in 1882. This grand home was only in the Phelps family for 12 years and later sold to a feminist group in 1905. They held weekly meetings there for 100 years, then it became a museum in 2005. The house has gone through many changes, it has a ballroom addition now, and was even an apartment building for awhile in the 1890s. As a museum the third floor was removed due to severe roof damage and a new exterior facade was installed to look like the original. Most all the original furniture has been long gone, sold off by relatives after the family died. The house was refurnished with same period pieces acquired by the museum. All the original woodwork, large mirrors and light fixtures are still there, though they has been converted from gas to electric. The tour was awesome, and after the tour, you are allowed to wander around the house on your own, take all the photos you want. The house sits all alone now on the block with a public library next door and a large church across the street where this street was once called "mansion row" in what was known as the Gilded Age. This is a true gem, don't miss seeing it.

Beautiful historic mansion, not to be missed. Thank you, Joe, for the thorough and relaxing tour and Jen for your hospitality. If you are traveling through the state be sure to stop. PBS worthy documentary. I hope that happens sooner than later! Evening ended with a lovely and fun musical jazz performance with Corinne and Patrick.

Sherman David Phelps was a successful banker, businessman, and mayor of the newly incorporated City of Binghamton. His house is a testament to a time when Binghamton was growing in wealth, culture, and population. Once part of a neighborhood filled with beautiful mansions, Phelps' home is now the last of its neighbors still standing.

Phelps is long forgotten by most, but his elegant home with its high, paneled rooms still sits beside the public library in downtown Binghamton and is open to the public for tours. The house cost $100,000 when it was built in 1871. Isaac Perry, one of the leading architects of the time was hired by Phelps to design, what some would call a ‘monument to his ego.’ The mansion is impressive with black walnut in the front hall and central staircase, rosewood and maple in the parlor and golden oak in the dining room. This historic house museum is an exceptional example of the outstanding ability of Perry to coordinate into the design, beautiful rare woods, metal, and glass in the interior of the house. The ceilings are fourteen feet high and the tall, impressive windows let plenty of natural light flood into the expansive rooms. Strategically placed mirrors reflect light to alleviate the dark wood interior. Each room has a unique fireplace and elaborate mantlepiece. One with laurel leaves in steel and brass. Another in the dining room has carved fruits and fish. Rare Victorian chandeliers and wall sconces are a treat for the eyes.

Tragically, the family of Sherman Phelps only lived in the family mansion for 12 years. Sherman passed away in 1878 followed shortly thereafter by the deaths of his two sons, Arthur and Robert.There were no decedents.

John Stuart Wells, the builder for the Sherman Phelps Mansion, later owned the house, which the Monday Afternoon Club (a women's civic organization) purchased from him in 1905. The club constructed a large ballroom at the back of the mansion and continues to hold its weekly meetings there to this day. In 1986 ownership of the mansion was transferred to The Phelps Mansion Foundation.

The Phelps Mansion Museum, at 191 Court Street, still stands as one of the gems of the Binghamton area architecture. Declared a national historic landmark in 1973, it was placed on the National Register of Historic American Buildings. It is definitely worth a visit.

Very knowledgeable tour guide and very great architectural structures. We all had many questions and they were all answered.

Fabulous tour. Our guide really knows his stuff and makes the place come alive. Highly recommended!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ornate and beautiful Victorian splendor. My friend's father was in 1 of the pictures on the wall. I was allowed to take a photo of the picture for her. They often have musical entertainment there around the holidays . Very nice

Beautiful home and an awesome tour guide! Beautiful restoration and lot's of history. Definitely include this on your visit to Binghamton.

Phelps mansion.Beautiful is stepping back in time. I don't think a description would do it justice. Unfortunately I did not get to see any of the shows that are offered but will make sure I do so next time. Lovely staff with an incredible surroundings.

What a wonderful (and well-priced!) tour of this beautiful historic mansion. The 1-hour tour was absolutely terrific and info-packed. Our tour guide, Andrea, was so knowledgeable, and did a super job! This is a "Don't miss!" from our perspective.

My family and I had a wonderful experience this past winter at The Phelps Mansion during a special visit that focussed on The Gilded Age (1870's -1900). Bringing a 4 and 6 yr. old to museums can be tricky, but there was interaction that they loved! A story read to them in the library, meeting the 19th cent. dressed up hosts that stayed in character the entire time, including Father Christmas who taught them how to make origami ornaments. They had delicious treats to eat and performed on a stage, played with toys that were most likely over 100 years old, and the whole family really got a great idea of what it was like living in the Gilded Age era. The mansion is impeccable and a historic treasure of Binghamton. I'm so grateful for it's preservation.

My favorite part of the tour was admiring the amazingly beautiful woodwork. It was also interesting to learn of how Mr. Phelps made his money. We were also informed about how the gas lighting was converted to electric. There were several photos of nearby historic places which our guide was quite knowledgeable of. There was even a gift shop with many interesting books. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Phelps Mansion and reccommend it to others.

We had a great tour by Helen today. The woodwork and details of the mansion are amazing. A wonderful story of historic preservation.

So much history in this well preserved building. The hours are a bit erratic, but if you can catch it while its open, its a worthwhile visit.

We visited during the holidays and the house was decorated beautifully!joe was our tour guide and he ia amazing. So knowledgeable about the house and the family that lived there and Christmas traditions from the victorian age. Strongly encourage a visit during the next holiday season or anytime !

This was our first visit to the Mansion even though we've lived in the area all our lives. Joe, the House Manager, gave us an indepth, very interesting tour. We were welcomed by the other volunteers and enjoyed our visit very much. Half-jokingly suggested they open the house for dinners and/or overnights! Lovely!

Attended the Sherman Phelps Birthday Bash. Started with Dance Lessons ( to prepare for the Ball that evening)- learned croquet, lawn games, and etiquette of that time. The exhibit of the Gilded Age clothing and fashions was informative and interesting! Attended the ball that evening, excellent dance-
Music for that time period, with a caller to guide us with much humor and information with the history of each dance... Enjoyed learning and dancing with new people and felt very at ease with this group and organization. Thank you for a lovely day and evening!!!!!

My brother and I grew up in the Binghamton area and our given name is Phelps. However, we are no relation to the Phelps of the Phelps mansion, but enjoyed a recent visit. Kudos to the women who have worked for many years to preserve this beautiful piece of Binghamton history. It is a shame that it is the only mansion of many on Court Street that has been preserved. The people of Binghamton should be proud of this historic landmark.

The tour docents were very knowledgeable and kind. We could have stayed and asked many more questions. Parking is confusing, but the tour was worth it.

When stepping into the Phelps Mansion, you're immediately transported to a time of class, and status. Joe, the caretaker/tour guide, is very interesting, and knowledgeable in regard to the family, and house history.

The house has a warm ambiance, and the wood work is very beautiful. The floors are Italian marble, and no words can describe the beauty.

Price is $5.00 for 13 and up; free for 12 and younger. It's definitely worth the time to stop, and view this remarkable mansion.

Tour guild was great, very informative on the history. It also looks like great place to have a event.

beautiful woodwork-the fireplaces are amazing-food was very good-seasonal decorations were beautiful

If you want to learn more about the history of upstate New York, or Binghamton in particular, the Phelps Mansion Tour is a great place to start. It is right next to the Broome County Public Library on Court St, where you can continue your research. The mansion was built by Isaac Perry, a famous architect who also designed parts of the Inebriate Asylum, St Patrick's Church and many other local homes and institutions.

What a surprise! Joe was so informative and pleasant - his enthusiasm for the beauty, nostalgia and history of the mansion was contagious. Not only did we enjoy a tour of Phelps Mansion but Joe also directed us to other historical treasures in Binghamton - made for an excellent day.

Thank you, internet. The story of this place is unique and riveting. Built in the 1800's, but the family only lived here for 10 years. And a ladies club kept this building active and maintained from then til now. Our female guide gave us great background about the owner, the architect and the circumstances that leave this jewel still in the public domain. 14 foot doors and 16 foot ceilings? Don't see that often. And the gorgeous woodwork throughout the building. A great treasure in the heart of a changed downtown.

Recently revisited the Phelps Mansion and it was a nice reminder of Binghamton's history. Had been here over the years for several visits. I have also been to a wedding lovely reception years ago. Quite nice to enjoy the mansion as a guest.
I do recommend a visit and tour. Fantastic architectural features to take in. We enjoyed the stories and insights of the mansion's history during the tour.

We stumbled upon the Phelps Mansion and had a fascinating visit. Out your guide was very knowledgeable and brought the house to life with great stories. The woodwork in every room was impeccably maintained, there were great mirrors that illuminated the house and made it look even grander. We spend a little over an hour and had a wonderful time.

Frank, our tour guide was great and knowledgeable. He thoroughly explained all the different rooms of the mansion and the history behind them. It was a very enjoyable trip back in time of
some of the history of Binghamton and would highly recommend it.

The Phelps Mansion Museum has different programs each week. We have attended the Monday afternoon luncheon's with a speaker on a variety of topics. The staff gives guided tours of the Mansion several days each week. The building is beautifully restored and maintained with a rich history. A good spot to bring family and friends whether you live here or from out of town and visiting.

I drove past this museum all my life. I always said someday bi want to go through it. A friend of mine encouraged me to stop one day and It was a wonderful experience
I learned some new things about Binghamton even at 70 years old.

I have lived in the area for over 5 years and visited for the 1st time a few weeks ago. We were promptly given a tour guide and another couple joined us. The guide was very knowledgable and friendly, answering our questions and telling us anecdotes. We were also encouraged to take as many pictures as we wanted. The house is preserved and furnished beautifully! We thoroughly enjoyed the tour and the information about this hidden gem!

My Nephew was here on vacation from Canandaigua Ny. We loved the Phelps Mansion Museum. Joe gave us a great tour, he is a great curator. We would love to come back again.

This is a positively lovely home! Learning about the family was nice, but the Monday Afternoon Club intrigued me the most. The rooms are all amazing and well furnished with things from the era of the house. The docents were well informed and able to answer our questions. The one talked a little fast, but that was ok. We had time afterward to walk around on our own if we wanted, which was a nice plus. I definitely recommend it if you love grand old houses, built with class!

This is a must see. Very friendly staff, very knowledgeable tour guides. Joe gave us our tour answered all are questions. Thanks again had a great time.

We had the greatest guide - Helen! She spent extra time with us, answering all kinds of questions and gave a wonderful presentation. You could really tell she was passionate about the history of the home.

Please support this treasure. Felt guilty paying just $5 admission to walk through this gorgeous 140 year old mansion while receiving a personal tour. I was staring in awe at the one of a kind hand carved doors, mantles, crown molding, bookcases and even carved door knobs made from exotic hard woods more than a century ago.

This mansion was the first house in Binghamton to have running water and clearly no expense was spared in the construction of this home.

This is a must-see if you are anywhere in the area. Our tour guide (Joe) was so knowledgeable and enthusiastic. It was a pleasure to see the beautifully maintained mansion and learn its very interesting history. Thanks!

Fascinating and informative tour by a wonderful volunteer docent named Helen! She took us through each room and pointed out everything of note, and told us many stories. We came away with a much greater knowledge not only of the Phelps family, but also of Binghamton history! We then went to Park Diner for lunch, which was recommended by Helen also!

Beautiful old mansion with absolutely beautiful woodwork and a real deal for $5 entry fee. Chock full of interesting furniture, clothing, and art work, and there is a good chance you will have a private tour. Bob Fellers is a wonder -- if you get him as a docent, you'll be in luck! He has nearly 80 years of history with the house, beginning with dance lessons there at age 10. His knowledge of the house, the owners, the woodwork, and all the accessories is amazing -- as is he! Ask for him!

Beautiful home and Joe gave us a wonderful tour! It is quite warm in the house and they offered us a bottle of water which I thought was very nice. If you’re in the Binghamton area is really a nice way to spend an hour.

The Phelps Mansion Museum in Binghamton, NY is well worth the visit. The tour guide was outstanding - extremely knowledgeable about the house & its architect Isaac Perry. He provided a fascinating and in-depth tour. There are many concerts and special events held at the Museum so it is worth checking the website and calendar. We paired this Sunday visit with a church service at the beautiful historic Christ Episcopal Church designed by noted architect Richard Upjohn, the architect who designed Trinity Church on Wall Street. Add an enjoyable lunch and it made for a perfect day trip!

John was our tour guide and he was the best! He was knowledgeable and friendly. The pace of the tour was perfect and he was just about and beyond what we expected!

I have lived so close to Binghamton my whole life, and did not know the wonderful history that was a short drive away. This mansion has the most amazing original woodwork, and the guides treat this home with such respect We felt welcomed into their home as they recounted stories of the Phelps family and then the club of ladies who kept the home alive for years. I cannot wait for the Holidays to roll this year and visit again to see this home decorated. Great company, wonderful guides and beautiful place to be sure visit.

You are in for a woodworking treat by visiting this mansion. The doors, fireplaces and staircase have stood the test of time well. The family story is rather unique and sad. This led to some changes in ownership which brought along changes to the mansion BUT the original design is essentially there.

The mansion is right next to the Public Library where you can easily park on Sundays.

The tour takes you through the entire house and lasts less than hour.

Highly recommend! We had a wonderful tour of this interesting beautiful Georgian mansion. You can take a morning or afternoon guides tour or tour on your own. This is a must see for architecture enthusiasts.

This was one of the most beautiful mansions in a smaller town I have ever seen. It was definitely a place I would also visit again. The docent obviously has studied her family.

Wonderful place to share history with your family and loved ones. I have been there several times for many different occasions. The wonderful women ( and caretakers) who care for the mansion are truly passionate about its care and upkeep,. The history enclosed in this building is wonderful. Its amazing to look around, close your eyes and just imagine what took place there over 100 years ago.

What a great experience touring the Mansion -with the 4 tickets I won at the Clue event, we decided to visit around the holidays. Showing up for the last tour of the day, we ended up having a private tour with a very knowledgeable guide. Having grown up in the neighborhood and never taken a tour, it was interesting to hear the history of the area when it was built, facts about the house and the family members that resided in the house. The detail in the woodwork from the doors to the staircase is beyond beautiful and it has been so well preserved over the years. I would recommend everyone take the time to tour the mansion.

Lots of details in this beautiful home. Guide was very knowledgeable and thorough. It was worth the $5 each.

I took a day trip from Elizabethtown PA last Saturday in Sept. hoping to see some leaf changing which I did and the day was perfect. From TA reviews I chose to visit the mansion being a lover of grand old houses. This fits the description and so much more. I was treated to a 1:1 tour since I was there at noon and Frank, the guide, was hugely informative and knowledgeable concerning the gorgeous architecture and rich history of the planning, building, ownership and maintenance of the manse. You have to see it if you love amazing woodworking and history. The tour is more than worth the price of admission so plan to spend an inspiring hour and just try to take everything in.

On August 15th, my older daughter and I were looking for things to see and do while my younger daughter was in a wedding that day in Binghamton. We love old houses and history and the Phelps Mansion did not disappoint us.

We arrived shortly after they opened and the young man who was our guide decided to adjust our tour a bit and show us the ball room first. A small theater production was going to be taking place later in that room and he wanted us to be able to see the room while we could. The home is gorgeous and the guide knew his facts and then some. We even learned of some other buildings while on the tour and were able to check them out also. We thought the $5.00 charged to see the home was very reasonable and would have even paid a bit more if we had to. Photography is also allowed in the home. This was a plus for me as I love to take photographs!

If you love old homes, history and architecture then we highly recommend seeing this home and hearing about the family who lived there as well as the designer of the home. We loved it!

This tour was my favorite part of my weekend trip. My tour guide Frank was the absolute best, he was so knowledgeable and funny! I had the best time. And the mansion is so beautiful . The wood work is amazing. Definitely recommend to my friends and family. Thanks for a great time Frank!!!!!

I went to the Phelps museum without knowing what to expect, there's rich history attached to the house and the mysterious family that lived there! The house is truly beautiful and the staff are passionate about the story of the mansion and all of Mr. Phelps relatives, worth the visit!

This is the only mansion left on mansion row in Binghamton. It was built in the 1800's and still has all the original woodwork. The staircase alone is worth the visit! The staff is friendly and very knowledgeable. Very interesting information on the history of Binghamton. Ask for Frank, he may tell you his encounters with ghosts in the mansion!

On the Court Street,that across the River Chenango, proceeds into the Main Street, is located
this formidable mansion of brick and stone. And it is very near to the Greyhound Bus Station in the Henry Street, parallel to the Court Street.
That is a three story building, built in 1870, as we see, just a few years after the end of the American Civil War, to what history, there is always the exhibition, here, within the mansion.
The excellent interior, we saw here in museum, to mention the beautiful rare wood, metal and glass. We admired a lot, the crystal chandelier from 1890,as we had been acquainted from our tour guide, in the ballroom. In fact, this mansion is now, a historic house museum with ample of interesting things, that depict american history, mostly from the nineteenth century.
Recommend to all, to see when in Binghampton.

looking for something to do in Binghamton? they have guided tours and a history lesson. see how the better half lived in the 1880's

Great guided tour. My family enjoyed the history behind the mansion. Our guide was very nice and very knowledge.

went to see the death and mourning exhibit, it was very interesting and a learning experience. Very nicely done, can tour on your own or have a guide

My mother and I went on a tour on Friday may 1 of the Phelps mansion. It was worth it to see a great mansion restored and able for the public to go and see. It was very reasonably priced for the hour long tour and our tour guide joe was very informative and you could see that he loved what he was doing which makes all the difference. I would highly recommended this for anyone visiting the Binghamton area

A docent gave me and my godson a tour of the mansion; it felt like a private tour. It was great having a guide who could tell the history of the mansion. Love old buildings with a history. The mansion was decked out for Halloween, Death and Mourning event. Wished I lived in the area to be able to attend other events they hold.

Took the tour - very informative. Interesting to see how this man lived back in the times. Not busy at all so were able to go right through immediately.

Parking was a little tricky, but after a loop I found my way. My wife and I had a personalized tour of amazing artwork. The guide was knowledgable and took time to explain the history of each room.

I brought my book club here on a Mystery Trip and it was their favorite spot on the tour! Joe did a fabulous job of showing us around and giving us the history of the mansion and its residents. I highly recommend a stop at Phelps!

If your in Binghamton and have a little over hour. I would highly recommend going an checking out this mansion. The tour guide was highly knowledgeable and clear spoken. Even in the large group he made sure that everyone had the amble amount of time to view and ask questions.
I do hope that they continue to open up the basement and third floor in the future. Would enjoy going back and taking family members.

We took our 9 year old daughter for a tour of the Phelps Mansion. Not only did she LIKE it, she LOVED it! So much, she came back to her school in PA and told her class all about it! The tour guide was amazing. The staff on a while was friendly and very welcoming! I would recommend that anyone traveling through Binghamton, take a few minutes and stop in! You won't be disappointed!

This mansion museum is well worth the price of the inexpensive admission. We were treated to a very informative tour. Reservations are required right now; but it is pleasant to have the tour guide all to yourself. We didn't feel rushed. The tour was about 45 mins. to an hour. If you love history or architecture his place is a must-see. Some parts are handicapped accessible, bathrooms are available, there is bottled water for sale and a gift shop. Plenty of free parking, too. This is a place I would re-visit.

Whatever event you may attend here( wedding, museum walk thru, planetarium, masquerade ball, murder mystery dinner, etc) I've always had a great time!

A beautiful mansion from the Gilded Age. The tour guides were knowledgeable and the history interesting. A recommended stop in Binghamton.

The docent gave a wonderfully detailed tour and answered questions. The history of this mansion is fascinating! Great care taken to furnish with authentic period items. Highly recommend this tour.

Phelps Mansion is a wonderful depiction of a time gone by-the architecture and design is absolutely gorgeous. I havent been there in years, but as a teenager actually had the opportunity to clean for the caretakers (back in the 70's)-awesome place

My family and I spent the day here in June, it was beautiful, the staff was friendly and kind. They shared so much history with us; about the house, but also Binghamton in general. I highly recommend going and checking it out.

Frank is a very knowledgeable guide full of interesting tid bits of info that one does not normally get from a tour. Excellent !!!

Our family had a great time visiting the mansion which was built in 1870! If you live history and are in the Binghamton area, do yourself a favor and go. Our tour guide was awesome and I like the fact afterwards they let us walk around the house to take pictures. Highly recommend!

Our Docent Joe took us through this lovely house museum and transported us back to the 1800's as we walked the halls and rooms of the Phelps Mansion Museum. Delightful experience

What a charming outing it was when we had the chance to visit the Phelps Mansion Museum in Binghamton, NY. Our tour guides were so knowledgeable in the history of an era gone by that is represented by the beauty and intrigue of the old mansion. They understood how every detail came to be. They seemed to have a genuine enthusiasm for the history of the Phelps family and the changes that have taken place in the mansion since the Phelps family’s death. Every safety protocol that you can imagine was followed, so this is a perfect way to spend a Covid-friendly afternoon. Best to reserve your tour ahead of time. You will not be disappointed.

I will be honest, I am not a fan of old houses or mansions. I feel that sometimes they can be a bit underwhelming. I enjoyed the tour of the Phelps Mansion, and the guide was great. It was nice and the intimate nature of the tour made me enjoy the tour even more. All in all, it was a great way to spend an hour.

They were offering a lantern tour describing funeral, mourning, and death during the Gilded Age. Late 1800's. Very informative and enjoyed immensely.

AMAZING! Such a wonderful experience. JP and Joe made the stories and information about the house come alive. No detail was left unturned. Fascinating, if you enjoy touring mansions, experiencing the past, and discovering new aspects of a time gone by visit the Phelps Mansion Museum.
On a personal note, my sisters and I were enjoying a day together (traveling from the four corners) in Binghamton, we went to the mansion only for all tours booked. Broken hearted, we rang the bell only to hope we could peak into the mansion. JP, a volunteer - so thoughtful, arranged for a special tour for us. We were thrilled and over joyed.
The tour is something not to miss. Joe and JP have a wealth of knowledge they generously share with the public. The easy going relaxed tour was the perfect way to spend a great time with my sisters.
Many thanks and cannot wait to visit again.

We really enjoyed the Phelps House tour. It’s interior is really beautiful. We’ve toured many historic homes, palaces and castles. The wood detail throughout was exquisite and the tour guide (the house manager) was knowledgeable about every detail. We would recommend it to anyone visiting this part of the state.

We had a wonderful time at the museum learning about the Gilded Age. Such an intetesting view into an era. The staff was so accomadating.

The tour guide was very knowledgeable about the history and the mansion is just beautiful. So much woodwork and craftsmanship that you don't see anymore.

We were able to go to this for free with the Roberson membership. I really liked this house. They change out exhibits too so I'm looking forward to going back. We'll also make sure to go when it's decorated for Christmas.

We got a guided tour. The man was very knowledgeable and good at answering our questions. We had an 8-year-old and an 11-year-old with us and all enjoyed ourselves.

Thoroughly enjoyed the candle light tour on death and mourning. Looking forward to the November program on Silent Movies !

This tour was so great! The woodwork throughout the mansion is spectacular! There are period pieces of furniture throughout, a few were originals - too heavy to move! Our docent was truly wonderful, a walking history lesson, but with a much better personality!
Our group was rather large, 5 adults, 3 teens & a companion dog. But he kept us all moving, while somehow answering every question anyone asked. All ages were completely interested, we left wishing for more!!!!! We highly recommend this tour!!!

Joe had an amazing knowledge of the house and the history behind it, as pleasure to see a mix of what was original to the house and what was added by the most recent owners that used the building before it was made a museum

I happened to visit the Phelps on my birthday, and the docents made a big fuss over me. What a pleasant surprise. I'm sure any visitor will find a friendly face at the Phelps. The mansion itself is just that, a real turn of the century mansion with 14 foot ceilings and massive woodwork trim. So interesting to see how the well-off lived back then. So worth a visit.

My mom and I went to the phelps mansion museum for a visit. I live in Boston and always trying to find local attractions near my parents house. When we walked in, a lady at the desk said we were too late at 2:30 but joe, the caretaker said that he could still take us on the tour. Joe was great tour guide who knew so much about the history of the mansion. He was really great and we could tell how much he enjoys his job. We also found out there were lunches on Mondays in the ballroom. The ballroom is geogeous! We had a fabulous time and I'd go back!

Beautiful and interesting place to visit. Our guide was great and we loved the stories behind this magnificent old building.

I visited the mansion's holiday tour in December 2018 with my daughters and granddaughter. We all enjoyed the tour very much. It's so interesting to see the beautiful architecture and learn of the people who once resided there. I would definitely recommend a trip to the Phelps Mansion!

The artifacts were stunning! This was a well prepared exhibit and the accompanying narrative was very informative! The mansion is beautiful and provided the perfect setting for the topic!

Love Phelps Mansion! They have various events that are original and interesting. Just attended a Halloween event with my friend from out of town and we both enjoyed it! We were lucky to get tickets as they had almost been sold out. The events are original and the staff is friendly and educated.

With hopeful hearts on New Years Eve we arrived at 4:15pm to tour the mansion. Chelsea, our tour guide was knowledgeable and understanding of time constraits (they closed at 5!). She gave us a wonderful tour--showcasing her knowledge and passion for history. By the second luxe room I had goosebumps from all the awe inspiring beauty to behold in the woodwork, furnishings, fixtures, and history of this fascinating place. Highly recommend!

They have a wonderful Civil War presention every year. Noteworthy events were a fabulous program about bugle calls and an opera recital. Something for everyone! The mansion alone is worth the visit.

We made it to the very last tour before closing this past weekend and it was so worth it. The docent was extremely knowledgeable both on the house and the city histories, you could tell he is passionate about this place. The place is a preserved and restored mansion from the city's golden age, exquisite detail everywhere by master architect Isaac Perry. All rooms shown were elegant, the furniture, lamps, decorations, even the wallpaper were remarkable and beautiful.Tours and entrance are free of charge, donations accepted.

We thoroughly enjoyed our time at the museum. The tour guide was knowledgable and was able to answer all of my questions! I highly recommend this museum when traveling to Binghamton to get a taste of what the world was like in 1870 from the perspective of a very wealthy family. The woodwork is fantastic!

Walking into the Phelps Mansion is like stepping back 150 years. The woodwork alone is worth the visit, mantles and door frames have been hand carved with tremendous attention to detail. Feel good afterward for preserving irreplaceable history.

My wife and I stopped in Binghamton on our way to Chataugua. Had an in depth tour of the Phelps Mansion conducted by Joe. Joe has a tremendous ability to bring the story of the house to life. We were greeted on arrival by two charming volunteers...one from Belgium. They were warm, welcoming and enthusiastic about the property. We travel throughout the UK visiting the Great Houses and were thrilled to see the Phelps Mansion. The workmanship and preservation are not to be missed and the hospitality is a gift.

The Phelps mansion is the last survivor of the grand homes that gave Binghamton's Mansion Row its name in the late 19th century. GIven its current surroundings, it's almost miraculous that it still exists, particularly in such good shape. Few furnishings are original to the house, but that scarcely matters because it is the woodwork and design that give the house its splendor. The first-floor doors are especially magnificent, as are some of the light fixtures. The dining room is a gem, with a fireplace unlike any I've seen before. Throughout the house hang paintings that have been donated over the years, and they fit well. The guide Joe is superb, a storehouse of information crisply delivered. In short, if you are going to be in Binghamton or close by, and if historic houses interest you, this house, which is within walking distance of downtown, should not be missed.

Have been here many times and the place and the docents never disappoint. Their events are good and well thought out, too.
This was a straight guided tour and Chelsea was our guide. Knowledgeable and lively, she presented the history of the Mansion engagingly and thoroughly.
The Mansion itself has been lovingly restored and maintained and has some jaw-droppingly gorgeous treasures from the later Victorian era. My favorite room, the conservatory, was as beautiful as ever.
Perhaps a bit more emphasis on the Monday Afternoon Club and its rôle in preserving the Mansion would be good.
Also, it would be wise to escort visitors to the gift shop at the end of tours rather than end in the ballroom. You may be missing some impulse buys from happy visitors who want to bring a piece of the Phelps story home with them!

Amazing woodwork and carvings, you have see door's carved hinges that still work like a charm. Guide was very knowledgeable and informative about the house, occupants and history. Tickets are cheap, 7 per person. A must see. Recommended.

The site is both well run and well maintained...made for a fascinating look at a long-bygone era..well worth a look

Amazing staff, very knowledgeable and engaging. It is definitely worth the stop to learn some local history.

This is a great local gem. Close to downtown and a great way to connect to both local and early American history. We had a great tour guide who was incredibly knowledgeable about the home, it’s history and how it was saved.

Excellent tour given by Emily. Beautiful house with an interesting history. It is worth stopping in to see it when in the Binghamton.

Do not go during the week! We are from Texas and we were hoping to see the inside of this beautiful mansion. Looking forward to it for weeks. There's no info saying that it's not open during the week on trip adviser. There was a lady that came out when we were trying to take a couple pictures and rudely said we were disturbing her dogs and that they were closed. Very disappointing. ..

Restored to it's civil war period and the history of the Judge and his family are moving and enlightening. A terrific place with community program for the family including re-enactments and ghost walks.

Thanks so much to Joe for his knowledge and enthusiasm as he relayed the history of the mansion and the area to us during our tour. The woodwork in this home is amazing. I especially loved the conservatory, complete with a working fountain.

This place is well worth a visit, especially if you appreciate architecture and antiques. If you are very lucky, Joe will be your tour guide (although I expect other guides will be equally as informative and friendly).

Wonderful turn of the century history experience in Binghamton. It was amazing to go up and see the roof where the old 40s metal roof still exists with the new facade roof over top. A perfect example of a great Victorian Architecture.

We were given a "private" tour of this place because we were the only customers there at the time. This place is really cool. The guy giving the tour had actually lived in the house for decades so he knew just about everything and could answer any question, even our questions about Binghamton. He was obviously not a trained docent, just a guy who'd been taking care of the place as his job in the past, and now that it's a museum he's just showing people around. But that made it much more interesting, like we were being taken around by a real guide and not one who was just trained to be a great orator or whatever. He also indulged us in some fun town gossip and had some funny stories of his time living in the mansion. A delightful and amusing way to start our day trip. He said it would be 45 minutes, ended up being a bit more than an hour because of the discussions we had.

Worth $5, definitely a good introduction to the history of Binghamton. If you have an hour and passing through, check it out.

Be aware the parking lot is a bit tricky. You need to enter behind the house for the correct lot, which is on a one way street. There is another parking lot beside the house that is not for the house. Adding to the confusion, that is the same side you enter for the tour.

The mansion has been restored to it's old grandeur! It is a real blast from the past. Bring a friend here!

Fascinating tour of this magnificent home with pearls of history of Binghamton. Tour guide was excellent (Joe). The 1.5 hours flew by. Highly recommended.

I visited the Phelps Mansion in August 2020 on my way up to the wonderful gorges near Ithaca, NY. This mansion is just gorgeous and I loved the tour. Due to Covid-19 I had a tour guide all to myself! I believe his name was Joe and he clearly loved his job and was very knowledgable about the house and it's history. If you want a glimpse of a moderately expensive Gilded Age mansion this is the perfect place. Built by a local self-made man the details in the house are tasteful, masculine, and exquisitely crafted, not like your over the top Gilded Age "Cottages" in Newport, etc. You can really get a sense of what everyday life would have been like in the house. I recommend this as a nice diversion if you are into history and architecture.

Due to Covid, tours were single family groups only, so we had a dedicated docent for the two of us, and he was excellent. The house is essentially the last of the gilded age mansions in Binghamton, and is beautifully preserved. Plenty to see, and many interesting stories and anecdotes about the previous owners.

Lovely old building. Tour was great with one on one with a guide. Building was created with lots of details. Tour guide was very knowledgeable.

Amazing Binghamton history attached to the mansion. They have tours craft fairs , wine tasting etc etc. If you have never been to the mansion put it on your must do list.

Learnt a lot about the city in 45 mins! This mansion was elegantly built and the woodwork/craftsmanship is amazing! It is quite a sight too see a mansion still standing since 1872! :) you even get to take as many pictures as you want and learn the history about the wealthy Phelps family. The tour guide was very helpful and showed us every corner and details! All this for only $5! :)

If you are in Binghamton, this mansion should definitely be on your list of things to do. It has a wonderful combination of local history, architecture, decoration, and beauty. The mansion is open for tours on weekends (Friday to Sunday) from 11:00am-5:00pm. Admission is $7.00 for adults, $5.00 for students and seniors. Children 12 and under are free. Tours are conducted every 30 minutes. Private tours of 10 people or more can be arranged from Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00am-5:00pm.

The tour starts just inside the main (ballroom) entrance. Our guide, the caretaker Joe, was especially helpful and informative. He is not only affable, but he is clearly well-versed in the history of the mansion and exhibits an obvious passion for the place. He really brought the mansion alive with his commentary.

The tour lasted one hour. Be advised that there is nowhere to sit along the way. The tour also involves going upstairs to the second floor. For those with mobility issues, there is an elevator. The tour goes through about ten rooms and sitting areas. Along the way you will see: crystal chandeliers, wood paneling, period furniture, decorative lighting fixtures, sculptures, paintings, decorative marble, and photographs. Some of the styles and details on certain fixtures are exquisite, and there is rich, carved wood everywhere.

Helpful Things to Know:
1) Photography is permitted, but without the use of a flash or tripod.

2) There is on-site parking.

3) There are bathrooms available (near the entrance), and there is a gift shop.

4) The mansion has a history of paranormal activity, and if this is an area of interest for you, ask Joe (or one of the other docents) to fill you in on details. I chatted with Joe a bit about this aspect of the museum. Unfortunately, I did not capture anything in my photographs, but Joe had even asked me to e-mail him any photographs that contained something of a paranormal nature, and he gave me his business card so I could contact him. That was a really nice touch.

I would highly recommend seeing this mansion. It’s worth a visit on the basis of the beauty of it alone, but when you couple that with its rich history you have a truly fascinating combination.

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