Constructed in 1905, the Seelye Mansion is a historic piece of Kansas that has some fascinating history.. 11,000 Square feet of a century+ of history. The one fact that blew me away was that Thomas Edison himself designed the electrical and lighting plans for the mansion. We saw an Iron that screws into a light socket in order to heat it up. Fascinating. The original furniture was in immaculate condition and you could feel the history. Furniture and decor purchased from the 1905 World Fair in Chicago was intriguing to me. I couldn't imagine moving all that 100+ years ago. The Box Bowling alley in the basement was my favorite. It was in great condition and you get to roll a couple of balls down the lane. Fantastic. The guide was phenomenal and really knew his stuff on the history of the Seelye family. The facts kept you engaged and I really got a feel of how this mansion was way ahead of it's time in the early 1900s. This is a must visit if in the Abilene area. Safe Travels! read more

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Midwest road trip continues. And comes to an abrupt halt in Abilene, Kansas. At the Seelye Mansion. I say abrupt because I had my reservations about going here. My friend hasn't steered us wrong except one time she brought me somewhere and tried to get me high ... a story for another day. Anyway. It was the non-food highlight of the entire trip for me. I love history. I love museums. I especially love it when the tour guides are friendly, funny and know their sh*t. And you gotta love it when you're up close and personal with the artifacts to the point where you can sit and play on a Steinway. Listen to music on the Phonographs. Bowl on their old school bowling alley. More on that later. The house and its contents are preserved and well cared for. The current owner even lives on site but other than a few modern touches, you wouldn't be able to tell. See pics of a glimpse of what you'll see. Touch. Smell. Hear. And know that if you're in Abilene - this place is a must. As for bowling. I choked. Hard to follow after someone who rolls a perfect frame. At least it was for me. I rolled two gutters, scored a five. read more

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My friend and I visited the Seelye Mansion over Thanksgiving break and this was the highlight of our 8 day roadtrip! On the outside the home looks nice, but once you step foot inside you're really amazed by how spacious and grand it truly is. On the outside you wouldn't expect it to have 25 rooms, and 11 bedrooms! Since we visited during the holidays there were 65 trimmed Christmas trees spread throughout the house along with various nutcrackers and light decorations. It was extremely festive looking however, the highlight of the tour had to be bowling in their bowling alley downstairs! There's only 4 of these original models left in the world and we had an opportunity play! I learned so much and for $10 Adult Admission it was well worth my 2 hours! I highly recommend you come pay them a visit - it'll certainly be worth your while! read more

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This is a must-see attraction in Abilene. A lot of people come to Abilene to see the Eisenhower Museum and Library and almost everyone of them will drive right past this fabulous mansion. It was constructed by the Seelye family in 1905 for $55,000 and was owned by them until 1982 when the current owner acquired the property from the 2 surviving Seelye daughters. The two daughters continued to live in the property with the new owner until they were both in the 90's. Marion died in 1988 and Helen died at age 95 in 1992. The Seelye daughters considered Terry Teitjens, the new owner, as their honorary grandson. The house was built in 1905 and it was renovated once around 1920 under the supervision of Frank Lloyd Wright. The house today remains virtually unchanged since the time of the 1920 renovation. After Marion and Helen's passing in 1988 and 1992, nothing was removed from the house and it remains as it did when they lived here. The tours are led by Mr Teitjens, the current owner of the house, and it's obvious that he cares very much for the house and he is insistent that it continue to be preserved. His tour lasts between 2 1/2 and 3 hours and his enthusiasm for the house is evident. His tour is very folksy and full of details of the house, the Seelye family and his relationship with them. His desire to preserve the house is evident when he showed us an antique bowling machine - one of only 3 or 4 in the country. He said he's been offered $1 million for the machine but that he won't sell it - he said he belongs in the house. Tours are not your typical "museum" type tours with areas roped off and do not touch signs. Mr Teitjens lives in the house and tells you that you can walk on the 100+ year old rugs, you can sit on the 100+ years old furniture and you can touch stuff. The collections in the house and the house itself are amazing. read more

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Went to this amazing house where the man who is living in it gave an amazing tour! So cool to see a real piece of history right here in Kansas read more

Beautiful home. Well informed, friendly staff will give you insightful information of the home's history. Highly recommended stopping by for a visit. Thank you. read more

Beautiful house and exquisite interior!! They really have captured the original essence of the house, and very informative and fun guide. The grounds were nice, but the main attraction is the house. read more

This was one of our Big Three stops during a weekend in Abilene!! We knew enough to space out the Eisenhower museum and the mansion tour a day apart - thanks to the advice of a friend. We have toured some of the most incredible homes in the United States including the Newport mansions, Hearst Castle, Mt. Vernon and Hyde Park. This is NOTHING like those tours - with full access to the rooms, the original/refurbished furnishings in the same locations as when the last of the Seelye family lived there. Pianos and organs are played, along with a special bowling alley in the basement. We toured the mansion on a Sunday and were thankful we arrived promptly at 1 pm. The tour started with around a dozen people being personally guided by Mr. Tietjens himself. He purchased the home from the family, even living with the 2 remaining Seelyes and learning about their lives first hand. Mr. Tietjens is active in the Abilene community and also lives in the mansion. Although the tour was a little less than 3 hours on our visit, Mr. Tietjens timed the seating locations well to give us a little break from standing. Each room had it's own history and insight into the Seelye family and furnishings. read more

Incredible mansion of the past , personally hosted by the owner. Decorated for Christmas , 80 trees & decorations A trip back into time, super rich people at the time, had every amenity from Thomas Edison light bulbs to Tiffany fireplaces . House is very interesting to see. read more

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We recently did a motorcycle trip around Kansas and this was one of our stops. Turns out to be my favorite stop of the trip. It's a beautiful original with original furnishings. The owner gave us an interesting, informative and enjoyable tour. Highly recommended!! read more

A fun, interesting and intimate look of life in the golden days of Kansas. This is not your normal "don't cross the rope" tour of a historical home. The tour guide, Michael, was very friendly and knowledgeable about the family's history and their home. This is a MUST DO while in Abilene. read more

Seelye Mansion - The front porch. - Museums Near Me - Abilene, Kansas

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Loved this house! The owner does the tours. When I arrived no one was in the office and after waiting 30 minutes I almost gave up. I am so glad I stuck around to enjoy the history and the beauty of this unique home. It is a home and not a museum even though it has the elements of a museum and that is a huge distinction. You can walk through the rooms, sit on a sofa, even play a piano which is so unlike a museum that has roped off rooms and do not touch or lean directives. This is a great story house and well worth a visit. read more

This is a neat place to come and see how style and wealth would have been in the years past. Terry does a great job with explaining one of Abilene's most beautiful homes. read more

We visited the house while visiting Kansas last month. The tour was conducted by the owner, who lives there, and very interesting. I particularly liked that areas were not roped off and we could visit the whole house. read more

There is so much to see. I have lived in the Abilene area and have been a friend of the owner of the home for about three years now. I have been in the home many times and everytime I go in I always see something new that I have never noticed before. There is so much history to be shared through this home and the story behind it. After the tour there is still so much to see in the gardens and the pond. I highly recommend touring the Seelye Mansion. read more

What a wonderful experience. A must while in Kansas!! Terry is very passionate about the home. Great history.

Our group of five (aged 18 - 84) thoroughly enjoyed our tour. The guide was very knowledgeable and provided an excellent tour full of history and amusing anecdotes. The tour is not like some in which you peer into rooms from behind distant ropes. We went into all of the rooms, from the kitchen to the ballroom to the bowling alley in the basement. Terry, the friendly owner, did not give the tour but came out to greet us when we arrived and later chatted with my father-in-law about the small Kansas town where my father-in-law lives. We went to the Eisenhower Museum also, but preferred the Selye tour. Well worth going to if you're in Abilene. read more

The Seelye Mansion is such a beautiful historic home. Hard to describe the beauty that it contains not to mention the history behind Dr. Seelye and this wonderful home built in 1905. Beautiful setting for weddings too. Definitely a bucket list destination! read more

The first thing you notice when pulling up is how clean and well maintained the grounds are. the tours are an in -depth look at the history of the town from which many historical figures hale. Its still working historical Items are interesting and the baroque meets rococo opulence of the mansion would, I think, make a beautiful setting for a wedding or bridal reception. read more

Deciding on a whim to tour this house while overnighting in town, we arrived shortly after the last tour of the day had left. Not only did the owner allow us to join the tour late, but he stayed after a whole hour to be sure we got the complete tour and all of our questions answered! This mansion and the personal, detailed tour given by its owner are absolute treasures! Never have I felt so transported into the past, where you could almost hear the clanking of the silver and china while piano melodies wafted through the air. One of the things that makes this experience so unique is that its owner and tour guide actually invited the sisters who grew up in this mansion to stay on there in their old age. The anecdotes and explanations they passed on to him, he passed on to his audience with great relish! Another unique component to this experience is that there are no ropes separating you from feeling a part of the rooms you are viewing and you are actually encouraged to touch at various points: testing the Victorian recliner to see how comfortable is actually is and literally bowling on the rare bowling alley in the basement etc.! The owner closed out the experience by tickling the ivories of the grand piano as elegantly as anyone at the turn of the century possibly could have! This tour is truly a worthy destination and you will surely enjoy it! read more