Visit the Emlen Physick Estate
Cape May’s only Victorian House Museum
Take a guided tour of the first and second floors of the 1879 Physick House Museum, for an in-depth look at Victorian architecture and the period, reflecting one Victorian family’s lifestyle, and detailing the way the Physick family and their household lived, worked and spent their leisure time. Built in 1879, the 18-room mansion is an architectural wonder built by famed American architect Frank Furness and is one of the best examples of Victorian Stick Style architecture in the country. In 2020-21 the tour them “This Old House” focuses on the Physick House and the organization, Cape May MAC, that lovingly restored it 50 years ago and continues to do so today.
The first floor of the Physick House Museum is fully accessible. Free on-site parking/RV-friendly
$20 adults,
$15 children (ages 3 to 12)
FREE for members – Find-out more!
FEATURED TOURS
CLUELESS AT THE PHYSICK ESTATE
“Hook, Line & Sinker”
“Clueless at the Physick Estate” returns this summer with an engaging new mystery based on the popular board game. “Hook, Line & Sinker” is this season’s “whodunit” mystery that dramatically unfolds as you travel through the 1879 Emlen Physick Estate. Can you solve this mystery before someone else vanishes?
MAGIC & MYSTERY HOUSE TOUR
Victorians were fascinated with mystery and illusion and this tour through select rooms in the 1879 Physick House Museum shares that fascination. Learn about the famous Harry Houdini who captivated Victorian audiences with his intricate escapes, the Goddess of Mystery, Ionia, a Belgian beauty who Victorians worshipped for her spectacles of magic, The Great Lafayette, who became known as the world’s greatest magician, and Pepper’s Ghost, an illusion still used today, with Sherlock Holmes, Jack the Ripper and more.
GRAVEYARDS, GHOSTS & MANSION COMBO TOUR
Hear the stories and experiences of ghost activity in the 1879 Physick House Museum from the Cape May MAC tour guides who know them intimately. It starts with a trolley ride to the historic Cold Spring Presbyterian Cemetery to see the graves of Dr. Emlen Physick and his family. At the graveyard you’ll hear EVPs (electronic voice phenomena) recorded by tour guides and staff at the estate. On your return trip to the Physick Estate hear about some unusual Victorian funereal customs. Then, inside the Physick House you will visit several rooms and hear several more EVPs while learning more about the activity observed there. Take the opportunity to talk to staff about their experiences, and a moment to wonder at what it all means. Tour begins and ends at the Physick Estate.
CLUELESS AT THE PHYSICK ESTATE & DINNER AT VINTAGE
Enjoy at 5:30pm dinner seating at Vintage followed by a 7pm tour of “Clueless at the Physick Estate: Hook, Line & Sinker”. This season’s “whodunit” mystery dramatically unfolds as you travel through the 1879 Emlen Physick Estate. Can you solve this mystery before someone else vanishes?
HISTORIC HAUNTS
COMBINATION TOUR
Take an evening trolley ride through the Historic District and hear stories of haunted Cape May. Step off the trolley at the Physick House Museum with your guide and see Cape May’s only Victorian house museum, reputed to be haunted, as you learn about Victorian Spiritualism. This tour combines a Ghosts of Cape May trolley tour with a visit to the Physick House. In the museum, guides will compare the methods of spirit contact used by the Victorians with those of today’s paranormal investigators. Selected rooms on both floors are included in the tour. Begins and ends at the Ocean Street trolley stop.
MAGIC & MYSTERY HOUSE TOUR & DINNER AT VINTAGE
Victorians were fascinated with mystery and illusion and this tour shares that fascination, combined with dinner at Vintage on the estate grounds. First, enjoy a delicious dinner then step inside the 1879 Physick House Museum and learn about the famous Harry Houdini who captivated Victorian audiences with his intricate escapes, the Goddess of Mystery, Ionia, a Belgian beauty who Victorians worshipped for her exotic intrigue, The Great Lafayette, who became known as the world’s greatest magician, and Pepper’s Ghost, a technical illusion still used today, with Sherlock Holmes, Jack the Ripper and more.
COMBINATION TROLLEY/PHYSICK ESTATE TOUR
This immersive, 2-hour tour experience combines a guided tour by trolley of Cape May’s Historic District with a guided tour of the Physick House Museum, providing an in-depth look into Cape May history and architecture. Learn why Cape May is the only National Historic Landmark City in the nation as you appreciate the details of Cape May’s unique Victorian streetscapes via trolley. Take a guided tour of the first and second floors of the 1879 Physick House Museum, for a detailed look at Victorian architecture and the period. Built in 1879, the 18-room mansion is an architectural masterpiece built by famed American architect Frank Furness and one of the best examples of Victorian Stick Style architecture in the country. The tour includes a visit to the Carriage House Carroll Gallery Exhibit and begins and ends at the Ocean Street Trolley stop.
Tour tickets for this tour are not available for online purchase. Click the link below to find out where to purchase tickets.
Outdoor Performances
AND THEN THEY WERE DEAD
Without a Cue Productions
Without A Cue Productions in partnership with Cape May MAC brings an interactive theater event to the outdoor stage at the Emlen Physick Estate, where the audience helps drive the story! A man’s mysterious death is attributed to a curse he placed on his prized possession. In a series of mysterious twists, with the audience participating via their phones, not even the actors will know whodunit. Enjoy this original and hilarious mystery based on the style of classic mysteries by author Agatha Christie. Lawn seating. Bring your chair or blanket. Outdoor stage, Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St.
REV THEATER PRESENTS
Honky Tonkin’ – A Country Music Show
Tuesday, August 3rd – Friday, August 13th at 7PM
Theatre Company in partnership with Cape May MAC brings classic country music to the outdoor stage at the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St. This “lil’ ol’ shindig” puts the hoot in hootenanny and the jam in jamboree, with classic retro hits from Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, Hank Williams and many more country favorites. Lawn seating. Bring your chair or blanket. Outdoor stage at the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St.
Holiday House Tours
EVENING YULETIDE HOUSE TOUR
EVENING YULETIDE HOUSE TOUR
Take this guided tour of the first-floor rooms of the 1879 Physick House Museum, authentically decorated for a Victorian Christmas. See and hear how the Physick family might have entertained friends and family and celebrated in traditional Victorian fashion during the holidays. Afterwards, visit the Carriage House and visit “An Old-fashioned Christmas” exhibit in the Carroll Gallery and see this popular annual display featuring a huge Christmas tree, model trains, and an elaborate Dept 56 Dickens village collection.
PHYSICK FAMILY CHRISTMAS HOUSE TOUR
Take this guided living history tour of the magnificent 1879 Physick Estate, Cape May’s only Victorian house museum, decorated in authentic Victorian style for Christmas. Your guide portrays a member of the Physick family in the early 1900s and shares stories and traditions. The tour also includes a visit to the Carroll Gallery to see “An Old-fashioned Christmas” exhibit, a popular annual display featuring a huge Christmas tree, model trains, and an elaborate Dept. 56 Dickens village collection.
Free Experiences
PHYSICK ESTATE SCAVENGER HUNT
Have an adventure the whole family will enjoy at the 1879 Emlen Physick Estate! Use our map to explore the grounds and find answers to questions about the estate in this educational scavenger hunt. Turn in your answer sheet at the Carriage House Museum Shop and receive a prize!
Available daily at the Hill House office or the Carriage House Visitors Center at the Physick Estate. Includes map and clues.
FREE; donation accepted
VIRTUAL TOUR
We are excited to share with you our first ever virtual tour of the Emlen Physick Estate! This is an abbreviated version of our normal 45 minute guided tour. We hope you enjoy it and learn something new. We look forward to you visiting our museum soon!
If you enjoy this virtual tour, please consider making a donation to our organization below.
STORY STOPS AT THE PHYSICK ESTATE
Look for various story stops on the grounds and listen to first-hand accounts of life at the Physick Estate during Victorian days in Cape May.
FREE
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Emlen Physick Estate Photos
