Unlock the Doors to One of Kansas’ Most Spectacular Homes
This Kansas Mansion Will Amaze You—And It’s Open Every Day!
In Abilene, Kansas, where the Wild West spirit meets refined charm, one home stands as a testament to turn-of-the-century innovation and elegance—the Historic Seelye Mansion, proudly open daily for tours.
Voted one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas Architecture, this 25-room Georgian Revival mansion invites visitors to step into a perfectly preserved world of ornate detail, rare treasures, and remarkable stories. And it’s all located in a town named a Top 10 Best Historic Small Town to Visit by USA TODAY.
A Mansion Made for Medicine, Music, and Memories
Commissioned in 1904 by Dr. A.B. Seelye, a successful patent medicine entrepreneur, and designed by a New York architect, the Seelye Mansion was built during the Progressive Era, a time of innovation, expansion, and civic ambition.
Furnished with pieces purchased at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair, the home’s décor alone cost more than its $40,000 construction. Highlights include a Tiffany-designed fireplace in the Grand Hall, original Edison light fixtures, a 1905 Edison Cylinder Phonograph, and a 1920 Steinway grand piano, handpicked by Mr. Steinway himself.
Dr. Seelye’s thriving patent medicine business produced more than 84 products—including Wasa-Tusa, Ner-Vena, and Fro-Zona—for people and livestock alike. You can still see many of these original bottles, boxes, and labels in the Patent Medicine Museum located just behind the mansion, where each tour begins.
Still Living History
In 1982, the Seelye family passed the torch to twin brothers Terry and Jerry Tietjens, who lovingly restored the home with one promise: to allow the Seelye sisters, Helen and Marion, to remain there as long as they lived.
Today, Terry Tietjens continues to reside in the mansion, personally welcoming guests and sharing stories that bring the house to life. It’s not uncommon for tours to end with Terry playing Home on the Range on the Steinway as visitors sing along, their voices echoing through the halls.
A Home Full of Surprises
After exploring the formal dining room—where the first family dinner was served on Christmas Day 1905—you’ll move upstairs to bedrooms still arranged as the sisters left them, and a third-floor ballroom that once hosted military guests from Fort Riley.
But one of the biggest surprises awaits below. Follow a curved oak staircase into the basement to discover one of Kansas’ oldest bowling alleys: a rare 1904 box ball alley built by Holcomb & Hoke and also purchased at the St. Louis World’s Fair. Complete with an automatic ball return and manual pinsetter, it’s a crowd favorite. A bowling museum once offered $1 million for the alley—but it’s not going anywhere.
Outdoors, stroll the elegant Seelye gardens, which offer a tranquil setting that perfectly complements the home's grandeur.
Tour Information
Open Daily
Monday–Saturday: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.*
Sunday: 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.*
*Last tour begins at 3 p.m.
⏱ Tours last approximately 90 minutes and include the mansion, gardens, and museum.
Admission
$15 Adults
$7 Children (ages 6–16)
Children under 6: Free
No reservation required for individual visitors.
Group Tours
10+ Adults: $10 per person
Youth Groups: $5 per person
Call (785) 263-1084 to book
Whether you’re captivated by architecture, charmed by small-town hospitality, or intrigued by untold stories of the past, the Seelye Mansion offers an unforgettable experience.
Come discover one of Kansas’ grandest homes in the heart of Abilene—America’s Best Historic Small Town to Visit.