HappyTravelor3
What makes this visit perfect...is it's staff that provides a thorough, interesting, friendly and inexpensive tour. Not only do you learn about this family contributions to local history but also you will gain added insight into other area sites to see. On Occasion, you might be able to attend a sponsored charity event or dinner there...if so, do it! It's a memorable time.
GB_MI_traveler
Unfortunately, many of Flint's beautiful old grand homes were lost to the construction of I-475 and the college/cultural area. This home was lucky to survive and is beautifully restored to allow us to step back in time. Although I am a lifelong Genesee county resident and LOVE local history, my first visit to the Whaley House was just this year. I didn't think they were open very often, but hoped to be able to see it someday... Don't wait as long as I did, check out their website for the tour and event schedule, there is always something going on!
MelaneeR
This beautiful Gilded Age home showcases Flint's history in a family friendly way! I am a big history buff and there is always something new to see because they rotate their exhibits. The house itself is full of artifacts and on tours the docents do an amazing job of bringing the past to life. The entire first floor of the home is handicap accessible (which is great since some historic houses aren't!) and it my group of fifteen people felt very well taken care of. The first time I went to the house was last fall during the House in Mourning program. It was very educational, and it was interesting to learn about how Victorian customs have carried over to today. The house even attracted actor William Ragsdale (from CSI, Justified, Desperate Housewives, Herman's Head) to visit when he was in Flint for the Zombie Walk. That was totally cool! I also visited last December and the house was decorated for Christmas. It's amazing to see this beautiful home full of twinkling lights - you feel just like you are in Dickens' A Christmas Carol! I brought my family to take our Christmas picture in front of the big tree in the front parlor and it was gorgeous. They even co-sponsor a vintage baseball team in the summer that plays by historical regulations with authentic uniforms. There truly is something for everyone! I plan to visit again on a Saturday for a tour and then have lunch downtown with my husband for a date. It's a great place to take a picture with your sweetie. :-)
rhfarb
I'm sorry, but who cares how a bank executive and his wife lived? It's a small house, not fit for plus-sized or handicapped people, and awful for crowds.
StepOnBusTours
You can get lost in the Gilded Age here in the home of Robert J. Whaley and his family who contributed so much to the City of Flint. Take the docent tour and do not go through the house on your own because you will miss everything. The docents will explain where the Whaley family fits in an ear filled with biz tycoons, women's activism, urban expansion, industrial revolution and more. Guides will also tell you about the home owners and others too and a whole lot of juicy gossip. Very fun.Besides, there are so many programs at the Whaley house. Did you know you can rent the facility for weddings, parties and more?History is everywhere here. There is aLumber City Base Ball Club of Flint, which was originally formed in 1870. You can still see vintage baseball played competitively even during the Civil War. Wait 'til you see the old-time uniforms. It's a wonder those players didn't have heat stroke. So, visit the Whaley House. Plenty of free parking
mcmarto
This was our first stop when we visited Flint. We made it for the noon tour and my husband and I were the only two on the tour. We had one guide tell us about the lower level and a second guide tell us all about the upper level.Both guides were super friendly and very knowledgeable about the home and the family that once lived there.If you enjoy history it is a nice, inexpensive way to spend an hour.
GingerF646
house is very interesting and the history is interesting also.
custom900
Love this place great exhibits. Really lights up at Christmas time. Used for a lecture once great service.
flintjarvis
Ok, I actually haven't gone inside for quite a few years, but with the Christmas season coming up I'd like to make all of you Tripadvisor readers aware of this place. Go to the website and find out which dates are available during the holidays to see this place with all of the victorian holiday decorations. You'll be glad you did.