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Nutcrackers and sugar plums: Harry Packer Mansion is decked out for the holidays

Published December 01. 2017 12:57PM
by Karen Cimms kcimms@tnonline.com

The iconic symbol of Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker Suite” has found a home in Jim Thorpe this holiday season, along with all the glitter, glamour and glitz it deserves, and you’re invited to visit.

Through Dec. 17, the public is welcome to experience the wonder and magic of Christmas on a self-guided tour of the Harry Packer Mansion

Guests will be welcomed by nutcracker soldiers at the entrance and along the veranda of the historic mansion. A beautifully decorated tree awaits visitors in the gentleman’s parlor, while the adjacent former ladies parlor and now a dining room, features everything from elaborate

All of the mansion’s public rooms are decked out for the holidays, and feature nutcrackers, ballerinas, mice (the Christmas kind) and lots of sugarplums, all tied up in red and white peppermint striped ribbon.

Santa is also well represented, and pops up here and there throughout the house.

Guests touring the mansion are welcome to visit the Libations Lounge, where the offerings include a Nutcracker-inspired cocktail menu. For the adults, there is the Sugar Plum Fairy and The Nutcracker. The little ones can enjoy a Clara or a Fritz.

In addition to the self-guided weekend tours, the Harry Packer Mansion is offering nonprofit organizations the opportunity to raise money by inviting their supporters to visit the mansion on a specific weekday evening. The nonprofit will collect the admission fee. The more supporters who come, the more the organization can make.

Thus far, the Alzheimer’s group is hosting the tours from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday; Turn To Us is hosting the tours from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday; and the Future Leaders of Carbon County will be hosting from 4 to 7 p.m. Dec. 14.

Any other nonprofit organization wishing to partake of this opportunity are encouraged to contact the Harry Packer Mansion to reserve a date. A minimum of four people must be available to assist each group with its tour.

“The holidays are a special time here at the mansion, and we look forward to seeing everyone enjoy the decorations,” says Patricia Handwerk, owner of the Harry Packer Mansion.

To reserve a date for a nonprofit group or for more information about the Harry Packer Mansion and the self-guided tours, call 570-325-8566. You can also visit www.MurderMansion.com.

The Harry Packer Mansion is located at 19 Packer Ave. in Jim Thorpe.

A display of gift items in the front hall of the Harry Packer Mansion.
This nutcracker greets guests who enter from the rear of the Harry Packer Mansion.
The fireplace in the buffet room is ready for Christmas.
The Harry Packer Mansion was the inspiration for the Haunted Mansion at Disney World. The mansion recognizes that honor with a collection of Disney snow globes.
The main staircase at the Harry Packer Mansion.
The Christmas tree in the gentlemen’s parlor has been decorated for the holidays.
The fireplace in the gentlemen’s parlor.
Herr Drosselmeyer, the Mouse King and the Nutcracker pose on a mantel at the Harry Packer Mansion.
The fireplace in the dining room is outfitted with wreaths and ribbons.
An ornate piece of furniture is decorated for the holidays in the dining room of the mansion.
The Libations Lounge at the Harry Packer Mansion will feature Nutcracker-inspired cocktails during the self-guided holiday tours. KAREN CIMMS/TIMES NEWS
The mantel in Harry Packer’s office is decorated all in white.
Ballerinas and sugar plums decorate the tables in the buffet room.
Tags:
Jim Thorpe, Features, Home and Garden, Christmas