Mill Grove Mansion - Audubon, PA - Home of John James Audubon

Located at 1201 Pawlings Road in Audubon, Pennsylvania, the Mill Grove Mansion was originally built in 1762. It later became the home of John James Audubon, the noted naturalist, artist, and author. Mill Grove Mansion is where John James Audubon first began studying the American birds and wildlife that he later portrayed in his realistic paintings. Owned and operated by the County of Montgomery, Mill Grove is a National Historic Landmark.

Mill Grove Mansion was purchased by John James Audubon's father in 1789. He later sent his son to supervise the property, as there was a lead mine on the site. While the lead mine eventually failed, Audubon enjoyed the area, and it was the inspiration for several of his paintings.

The grounds at Mill Grove Mansion consist of 175 acres and include the mansion, a large barn, and several miles of trails. The mansion sits on a slope that overlooks Perkiomen Creek. Nesting boxes, feeding stations, and a variety of plants and shrubs attract over 175 bird species to the area. With more than 400 species of flowering plants identified on the grounds, the natural beauty of the area is one of the main attractions. Mill Grove Mansion now serves as a museum and wildlife sanctuary.

Inside the mansion, there are several displays. The mansion is home to a restored studio and taxidermy room that provide guests with a look at Audubon's working quarters when he lived at the mansion. Paintings by George M. Harding portray some of the adventures of Audubon's life. Additional paintings depict birds in a southern swamp, a western prairie, and elsewhere.

Mill Grove Mansion is an example of rural manor house architecture in the mid-18th century. A collection of John James Audubon's art enhances the visitor's experience at the mansion. Between 1803 and 1806, Audubon performed the first bird-banding experiments in the United States while at Mill Grove. Audubon's seminal work, Birds of America, is also on display at Mill Grove. Birds of America is a double-elephant folio that depicted Audubon's paintings of a wide variety of North American birds. In addition to this work and several paintings, Mill Grove has several taxidermy displays throughout the mansion.

The grounds at Mill Grove Mansion are open from 7:00am until dusk Tuesday through Sunday. The mansion is open from 10:00am to 4:00pm Tuesday through Saturday and on Sunday from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. On Mondays and major holidays, the mansion and the grounds are both closed. Admission is $4 per adult (ages 18 through 59), $3 per senior (age 60 and up), and $2 per child (ages 5 through 17). Children under 5 years of age and under receive free admission.

Group tours and programs are available to groups with 10 or more people. Group rates can vary. In addition, groups can request a live bird of prey demonstration for a fee of $75. Group reservations should be made at least 4 weeks in advance.

For additional information about Mill Grove Mansion, interested parties can call 610-666-5593.