The iconic 163-year-old Asa Packer Mansion reopened for public tours earlier this month.

The mansion has been closed since December.

Easily the most recognizable building in Jim Thorpe, the Mansion was built in 1861 as a home for philanthropist, railroad magnate, and founder of Lehigh University, Asa Packer. The cost to build the mansion at that time was $14,000. That would be approximately $493,700 today. The home features three stories, 18 rooms, and approximately 11,000 square feet of living space.

The staff at the mansion come from a variety of backgrounds, but all expressed a love for the job they have at the mansion.

Debra Foraker moved to the area from Valley Forge and is an experienced hair dresser and substitute teacher at the Carbon Career & Technical Institute.

“This a good job, it’s fun. You meet people from all over the world,” she said. “Every time I come here, I greet the Packers.”

Kathy Farrell of Jim Thorpe agreed, saying she met a couple from Russia once. Farrell used to work at the Boulevard Drive-in in Lehighton.

“Pam McElmoyle (Jim Thorpe Lions) asked me if I would be interested in working here. I said I’ll try it, and I’ve loved it since.”

Rosetta Strohl, originally from Palmerton, was mostly a homemaker. One thing she enjoys is dressing in period costumes and leading the tours.

“I’ve always loved history,” Strohl said. “I saw the ad to work here, and I applied. I told my husband, I’m going to love this job!”

Fred Bartelt from Nesquehoning is retired. He applied for the job after seeing an ad on Facebook.

“I thought that would be a really cool gig, so I jumped on board.”

The mansion is open for tours Saturdays and Sundays through May from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.