The Wilbur Mansion
Overview
In the 1800s the Wilbur Mansion was originally built, the importance of hospitality and utilizing your surroundings was a way of life. This still holds true with the reimagined Wilbur Mansion, located in Bethlehem, PA -- the area's premier restaurant, event center, and boutique hotel.
Stay at the Wilbur
Their nine boutique hotel rooms offers timeless, modern decor and amenities that blend seamlessly with the original 1864 architecture of the mansion. Book your stay today!
Dine at the Wilbur
Indulge in locally sourced, seasonally inspired dishes and handcrafted beverages created by Chef Jon McCain. Rooted in European technique and drawing inspiration from around the world, Chef Jon's cuisine uses familiar flavors of family recipes, traveling, and the diverse cuisine of the Northeast. Check out their menu here and reserve your table today!
Host your event at the Wilbur
Enjoy the mansion's spectacular views overlooking the Lehigh River and SteelStacks, while hosting your wedding, corporate, or private event utilizing their indoor and outdoor ceremony and reception spaces for up to 250 guests. Inquire about your next event here.
History of the Wilbur Mansion
In 1865, Lehigh Valley entrepreneur, Elijah Packer Wilbur, built the Wilbur Mansion for his personal home. Wilbur was the nephew of Asa Packer and was one of the founders of Lehigh University. He started the EP Wilbur Trust, one of the first banks in the Lehigh Valley, and he ran the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company. He lived in the mansion with his family until he passed in 1913.
In 1925, Wilbur's wife sold the Mansion to the Bethlehem Masons, who built their Lodge and Temple as an addition to the Mansion. The Masons held their meetings, membership gatherings, and hosted many events in the grand ballroom for almost 100 years.
In 2015, the Masons put the entire site up for sale. On an impulse, John Noble purchased the site unsure of what to do with it, but he knew it had a lot of really exciting potential! The entire Noble family worked together with the help of great community partners to bring the Wilbur Mansion back to life and establish a spectacular venue at the gateway to Bethlehem!
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