PA Historic Places

Exploring the Harris-Cameron Mansion in Harrisburg

A collage of four photos featuring the Harris-Cameron Mansion in Harrisburg, PA. The top left image shows the mansion's exterior, with stone walls, green shutters, and a red roof with dormer windows. The top right image captures a formal dining room decorated with floral wallpaper, a chandelier, a decorative fireplace, and antique furnishings. The bottom left image highlights a Victorian-era bedroom with a carved wooden bed, lace curtains, and an ornate rug. The bottom right image displays a historical marker indicating the mansion's inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972 by the United States Department of the Interior.

Visiting the Harris-Cameron Mansion in Harrisburg is like stepping back into the city’s earliest days.

A side view of the Harris-Cameron Mansion in Harrisburg, PA, showcasing its stone exterior, red roof with dormer windows, and green shutters. An attached sunroom features tall, arched windows along its length. A sign in front directs visitors to the mansion entrance, office, library, and archives. The surrounding landscaping includes neatly trimmed bushes and a brick pathway leading to the entrance, with a tall brick building visible in the background.

The Harris-Cameron Mansion is a historic house-turned-museum that showcases both Georgian and Victorian architectural styles, reflecting its evolution over time through a series of eight different owners.

A blue and gold Pennsylvania state historical marker for the John Harris Mansion in Harrisburg, PA. The sign states that the mansion was built by John Harris Jr., founder of Harrisburg, between 1764 and 1766. It also notes that the mansion was the home of Simon Cameron from 1863 to 1889 and hosted many famous visitors. The marker mentions that the building now serves as the home of The Dauphin County Historical Society. The sign is located along a sidewalk next to a tree-lined street.

As one of Harrisburg’s oldest buildings, the mansion was originally constructed in 1766 by John Harris Jr., the founder of the city.

A formal dining room inside the Harris-Cameron Mansion in Harrisburg, PA, featuring floral-patterned wallpaper and an elegant marble fireplace topped with a flower arrangement and candlesticks. A large chandelier hangs above a round dining table draped in a white tablecloth with a teal runner and a floral centerpiece. Portraits in gilded frames decorate the walls, while carved wooden cabinets and sideboards display fine china and decorative items. Large windows are framed by draped curtains, and a patterned area rug covers the hardwood floor, enhancing the room’s refined Victorian ambiance.

This historic home offers a fascinating glimpse into both colonial life and the grandeur of the Victorian era, making it a must-see for history enthusiasts.

A Victorian-era bedroom inside the Harris-Cameron Mansion in Harrisburg, PA, featuring an intricately carved wooden bed with lace bedding, positioned next to tall windows adorned with lace curtains. The room includes antique furniture such as a wooden chest, a writing desk with a glass-front cabinet, and an upholstered armchair with a footstool. A marble fireplace with an ornate cast-iron stove sits beneath a framed portrait of a woman in a white gown. The space is accented by floral-patterned wallpaper, a large Persian rug, and a brass chandelier hanging from the ceiling.

Directions | Hours | Admission Fees

The Harris-Cameron Mansion is located at 219 South Front Street, Harrisburg, PA 17104.

Tours of the mansion are given Tuesday – Friday at 1pm, 2pm, & 3pm.

A sign displaying the operating hours for the Harris-Cameron Mansion in Harrisburg, PA. The Alexander Research Library is open from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, Tuesday through Friday, and on the second Sunday of each month. The Historical Society of Dauphin County office hours are listed as Tuesday through Friday, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Mansion tours are available at 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm, and 3:00 pm, Tuesday through Friday, with an office phone number provided for inquiries. The sign appears weathered and is taped to a glass window.

Admission as of 2025 is $10/person.

A historical marker for the John Harris Mansion in Harrisburg, PA, indicating its placement on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972 by the United States Department of the Interior. The brown plaque features white lettering and an outline of the United States at the top. The marker was sponsored by the William G. Pomeroy Foundation in 2018 and is mounted on a white post near a brick wall and black iron fence. Trees and a red car are visible in the background.

There is free parking in the lot behind the mansion.

The rear view of the Harris-Cameron Mansion in Harrisburg, PA, showcasing a stone exterior with an ornate two-story balcony featuring decorative woodwork. A red Toyota Tacoma pickup truck is parked in the paved lot adjacent to the mansion. The background includes leafless trees and a tall brick building, while a low brick wall borders the parking area. The mansion’s red roof and Victorian architectural details are partially visible behind the stone structure.

Tours begin at the Historical Society of Dauphin County’s office, in the red brick building behind the mansion.

The entrance to the office of the Historical Society of Dauphin County at the Harris-Cameron Mansion in Harrisburg, PA. A red and gold sign mounted on a brick wall reads "Office, The Historical Society of Dauphin County, Alexander Library & Archives." A blue wooden door with glass panes displays various stickers and signs, including one indicating the office is open. A black handrail lines the stairs leading to the entrance, and a small evergreen shrub sits nearby.

What You’ll See at the Harris-Cameron Mansion

The mansion’s architecture tells a story of growth and transformation, reflecting the changing tastes of its owners over time.

A historic bedroom exhibit inside the Harris-Cameron Mansion in Harrisburg, PA, featuring period furnishings including a tall wooden four-poster bed, a highboy dresser, and various antique chairs. A cradle with a doll and a small rocking chair with another doll sit on a patterned carpet. The room also displays a marble fireplace with vintage decor and framed artwork above it, alongside a window dressed with red curtains and lace drapes. Informational signage stands in the center, providing historical context for the displayed artifacts.

Originally a simple colonial home, the structure underwent significant expansions throughout the 19th century.

A hallway inside the Harris-Cameron Mansion in Harrisburg, PA, featuring ornate Victorian decor with framed portraits, including an oval painting of a woman in a purple dress. An intricately carved wooden hall stand with a mirror and decorative vases sits against one wall, illuminated by oil lamps. The hallway is lined with floral-patterned carpeting, light pink textured wallpaper, and a decorative green and gold border along the ceiling. A wooden door with frosted glass panels is visible at the far end, allowing natural light to enter the space.

Simon Cameron, a prominent Republican politician and Abraham Lincoln’s first Secretary of War during the Civil War, acquired the property and turned it into the Victorian-style home that stands today.

A beautifully preserved Victorian-era alcove inside the Harris-Cameron Mansion in Harrisburg, PA, featuring three tall windows adorned with intricate red and blue stained glass accents. The space is framed by ornate wood trim and decorated with two antique armchairs upholstered in pink fabric, flanking a dark wood pedestal table on a polished hardwood floor.

Cameron’s additions brought both elegance and grandeur, with ornate woodwork, decorative fireplaces, and a stunning parlor designed for entertaining distinguished guests.

An elegant parlor inside the Harris-Cameron Mansion in Harrisburg, PA, featuring ornate chandeliers, gilded mirrors, and marble fireplaces with decorative mantels. Rows of gold chairs are arranged for an event, facing a grand piano positioned near tall windows that allow natural light to fill the room. The walls are covered in intricate damask-patterned wallpaper, and the ceiling is adorned with elaborate crown molding. The parquet wood flooring adds to the room’s sophisticated Victorian-era ambiance.

Visitors can explore the meticulously restored rooms, each filled with period furnishings and artifacts from the Historical Society of Dauphin County’s collection.

An antique wooden sideboard inside the Harris-Cameron Mansion in Harrisburg, PA, displaying a collection of blue and white porcelain serving dishes, including tureens and bowls with intricate patterns. Above the sideboard hangs a framed portrait of a man in 19th-century attire, holding a folded piece of paper. The background features floral-patterned wallpaper with delicate white blossoms, enhancing the room’s elegant and historic atmosphere.

The bedroom suites are particularly striking, featuring beautifully carved wooden beds, vintage textiles, and carefully preserved personal items.

A Victorian-era bedroom inside the Harris-Cameron Mansion in Harrisburg, PA, featuring an ornate wooden bed with intricate carvings, dressed in white lace bedding. The room includes matching antique furniture, such as a high-back wooden chest, a glass-fronted writing desk, and upholstered chairs with red and gold fabric. Lace curtains frame two windows, allowing soft natural light to filter through, while a richly patterned Persian rug covers the hardwood floor. A vintage chandelier hangs overhead, adding to the room’s elegant and historic ambiance.

The library is another highlight, showcasing a rich collection of historical books.

A historic library inside the Harris-Cameron Mansion in Harrisburg, PA, featuring built-in bookshelves filled with antique books, decorative plates, and vintage memorabilia. The shelves are painted white with a teal background, complementing the elegant paneled door in the center. A floral upholstered chair sits next to a wooden writing desk adorned with framed photographs, a wooden box, and small collectibles. The room exudes a refined Victorian-era ambiance, highlighting the mansion’s rich historical significance.

Guided tours reveal fascinating stories about Cameron’s influence on national politics, as well as his connection to Harrisburg’s development.

A formal dining room inside the Harris-Cameron Mansion in Harrisburg, PA, featuring floral-patterned wallpaper and an ornate marble fireplace adorned with decorative candlesticks and a flower arrangement. Above the mantel hangs a large, gilded mirror, reflecting the room’s elegant decor. Portraits of distinguished individuals in period attire decorate the walls. An intricately carved wooden cabinet displays fine china and silverware, while a table in the foreground is topped with a vibrant floral centerpiece on a white tablecloth accented by a teal runner. Draped curtains frame a window, allowing soft light to filter into the room.

The mansion’s exterior is equally impressive, reflecting the estate’s 19th-century charm.

A street view of the Harris-Cameron Mansion in Harrisburg, PA, showcasing its historic stone exterior with green shutters and a striking red roof. The Victorian-era house features a covered front porch supported by decorative columns, and three dormer windows on the top floor. A stone retaining wall surrounds the property, with a bench and historical marker near the sidewalk. Leafless trees and surrounding greenery add to the historic charm of this well-preserved landmark.

Just across the street, visitors can pay their respects at the gravesite of John Harris Sr., the area’s first European settler and the namesake of Harrisburg.

The gravestone of John Harris Sr., located across from the Harris-Cameron Mansion in Harrisburg, PA. The stone features a carved cross at the top and an inscription that reads, "A CRUCE SALUS: JOHN HARRIS Of Yorkshire, England, the Friend of WILLIAM PENN and Father of the Founder of Harrisburg. Died Dec. 1748. In the Communion of the Church of England." The grave is surrounded by a black iron fence, with fallen leaves scattered on the ground nearby.

This peaceful site offers a moment of reflection on the city’s deep colonial roots.

A memorial plaque dedicated to John Harris Sr. near the Harris-Cameron Mansion in Harrisburg, PA. The upper plaque reads, "Near this spot in 1719 John Harris, the first settler of Harrisburg, built his log cabin home." The larger plaque below states, "In memory of John Harris, pioneer, native of Yorkshire, England. His son, John Harris, 2nd, was the founder of Harrisburg." The plaque was erected in 1924 by the Dauphin County Committee of the Pennsylvania Society of Colonial Dames of America. The plaques are mounted on an iron fence, with a gravestone visible in the background.

The mansion has been lovingly preserved by the Historical Society of Dauphin County since 1941, when Cameron’s heirs donated the home and many family belongings to the organization.

A vintage dressing room inside the Harris-Cameron Mansion in Harrisburg, PA, featuring period clothing displays including a white dress on a mannequin and various garments visible in an open closet. The room has green walls adorned with framed portraits and photographs. Two wooden chairs sit on a floral-patterned rug in the center, while glass display cabinets showcase antique hats, gloves, and shoes. A small table with an old-fashioned doll and sewing materials adds to the historical ambiance, complemented by a tall floor lamp in the corner.

Today, the mansion serves as a museum, offering educational tours and hosting special events that celebrate Harrisburg’s history.

A Victorian-era bedroom inside the Harris-Cameron Mansion in Harrisburg, PA, featuring an ornate marble fireplace with an antique cast-iron stove insert. Above the mantel, a framed portrait of a woman in a flowing gown is flanked by decorative vases and a clock. The room is adorned with intricate green and floral-patterned wallpaper, lace curtains, and period furnishings, including a carved wooden writing desk, an upholstered armchair with a footstool, and a patterned Persian rug. An open doorway reveals a glimpse of the adjacent bathroom, decorated with vintage floral tiles surrounding a built-in bathtub.

A visit to the Harris-Cameron Mansion offers both architectural beauty and historical significance, connecting visitors to the stories of those who shaped Pennsylvania’s capital.

A historic office inside the Harris-Cameron Mansion in Harrisburg, PA, featuring intricately carved wooden furniture, including a roll-top desk and a matching cabinet. An ornate wall clock with brass pendulums hangs on the patterned wallpaper, adding to the Victorian-era decor. A carved wooden chair with black leather upholstery sits in front of the desk, while framed landscape paintings adorn the walls. The desk is decorated with period-appropriate items such as candlesticks, books, and writing materials, contributing to the room’s refined and scholarly ambiance.

Final Thoughts

Exploring the Harris-Cameron Mansion is a captivating journey through centuries of Harrisburg’s history.

A front view of the Harris-Cameron Mansion in Harrisburg, PA, highlighting its historic stone facade, green shutters, and distinctive red roof with dormer windows. The Victorian-era mansion features a covered porch supported by ornate columns, with a wooden front door at the center. A stone retaining wall surrounds the property, accompanied by a historical marker and a bench near the sidewalk. The landscaped garden includes shrubs and trees, adding to the mansion’s elegant and well-preserved appearance.

Whether you’re a history buff or simply curious about the city’s past, this remarkable site offers an unforgettable experience.

A Victorian-era sitting room inside the Harris-Cameron Mansion in Harrisburg, PA, decorated for Christmas with a tree adorned with ornaments and surrounded by vintage toys. The room features period furniture, including a tufted loveseat and armchair, a wooden dresser, and a small writing desk. A white marble fireplace is decorated with stockings and festive greenery, while framed portraits and small artworks hang on the floral-patterned wallpaper. A chandelier hangs from the ceiling, and a large, ornate rug covers the hardwood floor, enhancing the room’s cozy and historical ambiance.

16 Pennsylvania Mansions That Host Public Tours is your guide to exploring some of the most opulent and architecturally significant homes in PA that are open to visitors.

A collage of four stunning historic mansions in Pennsylvania, each open for public tours. The top-left image showcases a brick castle-like mansion with arched windows and a turret. The top-right image features a grand stone estate with intricate architectural details and multiple levels. The bottom-left image highlights a Victorian-style mansion with ornate gables and a wraparound porch. The bottom-right image presents a stately stone mansion with a steep red roof and symmetrical design.

Find even more great spots to explore all across Pennsylvania with the interactive PA Bucket List Travel Map!

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