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
THE GLOOMY APPARITION 2
Did you hear the creak of a door? Footsteps on the stairs? Was that a bump in the night? Or is that just the Gloomy Apparitions up to their normal shenanigans? When a new visitor upsets the dynamic of the residents of the Estate, all spirits break loose and there is no telling what might happen! . Join us at the Emlen Physick Estate for this immersive theatrical event – and find out if you can solve the mystery of The Gloomy Apparition 2 – A Gloomier Apparition!
$30 adults; $25 children (ages 3-12)
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.
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.
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.
Holiday House Tours
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. 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
Learn More
Emlen Physick Estate Photos
