When the Harry E. Packer mansion was built in Mauch Chunk between 1871 and 1874, this fine, ornate Victorian structure’s roof was covered with the highest quality slate, probably from nearby Slatington.

Coincident to this is the fact that the new ownership has a close identity with that Lehigh County community, which was the hub of the slate-producing industry for many years.

Robert Handwerk is the son of Norman and Eleanor Handwerk, who reside on North Street in Slatington. He and his wife, Patricia, a native of Greenwich, Connecticut, are the new owners of the mansion, acquiring it from Bradley C. Oliver.

The mansion was built by Asa Packer as a wedding gift to his son, Harry, and his wife, Mary.