Jim Thorpe Borough Council approved a Local Share Account grant application Thursday night with funding slated to go toward repairs at the historic Asa Packer Mansion.

Ava Bretzik, mansion curator, said the former home of philanthropist and railroad pioneer Asa Packer, built in 1861, is starting to see wear and tear.

“In 1912, Mary Packer Cummings, Asa Packer’s daughter, left the town the home and we’ve been blessed to be able to keep it above water, but we do need help,” Bretzik said. “Just like you see with a lot of old houses, it seems like everything is coming up for repair at the same time.”

Among the work needed, she added, is a roof replacement and repairs to the home’s heating system and front porch.

Borough Manager Maureen Sterner said the funding commitment letter approved by council Thursday is made up of an $80,000 match from the borough, which will come out of its Mary Packer Cummings trust, and a $20,000 match from Jim Thorpe Lions Club, which will come out of revenues the organization receives from operating the mansion.

“We’re really hopeful this grant comes through,” Council President Greg Strubinger said. “Ava is starting her 46th year there and she has done so much for the home. It goes without saying that she has a passion for the home and it’s more than just the physical attributes. She has looked into the family’s history and what they have done and shared all of that with the many folks who go there. This clearly means a lot to her.”

The mansion was closed for tours in 2020 at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic and reopened last summer for weekend tours only.

“While we were able to open last year, we saw really low attendance rates and we’re hoping this year will be better with the opportunity to be open 7 days a week,” Bretzik said.

Tours are scheduled to begin in April for the 2022 season.

While it is a national historical landmark, the mansion is not on the National Register of Historic Places, Bretzik said, meaning it is not “blessed with the funding opportunities that many other historical places are.”

The mansion’s significance to the town, however, can’t be understated.

“A lot of people may not know who Mr. Packer was until they come and visit us, but when they come to Jim Thorpe, they look up on the hill and know where that house is,” Bretzik said. “I want it to be around if God willing I’m a grandmother some day so we don’t have to answer why it’s not here anymore. Any funds we get will be put directly into what needs to be done at the mansion.”

The Asa Packer Mansion Museum is a nonprofit organization, meaning any contributions are tax deductible.