Kearney Mansion Museum

I visited the Kearney Mansion Museum on a Saturday because I love learning about the history that makes a place special. First thing to know is that once you enter the parking lot, you've got to drive all the way around the park to get to the mansion, so give yourself plenty of time.They have limited hours and scheduled tours, so check the website and get your tickets before you go.The drive is pretty nondescript, until you turn onto Kearney. The landscape is so beautiful that it caught me off guard! That part of the drive is absolutely wonderful.Jose gave an informative tour about the building and the history of Kearney. The History of Chinese folks in Fresno was my favorite part of the whole experience. It was colorful and a powerful part of Fresno history. I had no idea prior to going to the museum. I recommend this place for anyone who's a fan of history.

We were in San Francisco for a three day trip and had booked a tour, but unfortunately the tour guide had to cancel because of an illness.We were very disappointed it look like it would have been a fabulous tour and museum

My daughter and I attended a Mother's Day tea at the Kearney Mansion that included a tour. Lots of tasty things to eat with our tea and a cool tour afterwards. This was our first time going to Kearney Mansion.

Nice place to come and relax, the park is so beautiful. I love to come here and walk or ride my bike. The mansion is beautiful inside, when you start walking in you begin to wonder what it was like to live here during those times.

Visiting requires a little planning and a little luck. Entering the house is only done through guided tour. The 55-minute tours have limited times of 1P, 2P, and 3P on Saturday and Sunday. Check their website because there are frequent tour cancellations due to a lack of guides. The cost is $5 per carload to enter Kearney Park plus $6 per person for the tour. Cash is preferred.The tour covers the two main floors and the separate kitchen that was turned into a gift shop. The main topic of the tour was not the house but the history of Martin Theodore Kearney - a land developer and "Raisin King of Fresno" through the Fruit Vale Estate. The mansion wasn't meant for Kearney but the foreman of the ranch. Consequently, half of the first floor is the front office for Fruit Vale farm's business transactions. Kearney's residence was to be a giant palace like a Vanderbilt or Rockefeller would build. Thankfully, it never occurred as it would be an out-of-place castle set in bucolic Fresno like in the villain's French chateau in the James Bond movie "Moonraker".The 1903 home is fully decorated with mostly original furniture. Although built during the Victorian era, the architecture of the house is not Victorian and only vaguely French Renaissance. Lacking the ornate flourishes, the design of the house is simple - a square building with a schoolhouse center hallway leading to rectangular rooms. Without turrets, cornices, or bay windows, this is a plantation house. For security, the city added grills on the window which makes looking through them feel like a jail.

What an excellent place to visit and take the family for a picnic BBQ. I love this place been coming here for 11 years doing re-enactments.

Loved the tour at the moment it's open Saturday-Sunday 1-3PM but should check schedule for any changes . The tour was amazing and our guide kept it interesting and fun . Recommend!

Beautifully restored 1903 ranch manager's house built by M. Theo Kearney. Although Kearney planned to build a castle on his ranch property, he died in transit to Europe aboard a ship in 1906. The castle was never built and his properties were bequeathed to UC system. The mansion serves as a museum to Kearney and his ranching business. Tours are given on certain days. Be sure to check ahead before going for the schedule.

Its a necessity and not an option to visit this historic mansion when your in Fresno for a visit and I mean that, because you should be a shame not to visit this place, I mean first of all, its a mansion, I mean who wouldn't wanna see that, and for $5 per person you will get a complete tour of this great, fabulous and historic Kearney Mansion which takes approximately 1 hour to tour. The mansion is open only for guided tours on Friday, Saturday and Sunday with specific time slots of its tour (Please take note and don't just come as you please), which is 1PM, 2PM or 3 PM. It is essential that you get there on time since tour starts promptly at each slotted time, no late admission is allowed and believe me I know that so well, I was late and had to wait an hour, but it was worth the wait. Photography is prohibited although I did manage to snap a few, it is too beautiful to not take some photos. Its not a huge mansion or the most impressive in the world, but it sure will impress you with its beautiful architecture, its green lush park, its well restored interior and finally the story behind a man who was going to build a french chateau castle right here in Fresno. To get into the park a $5 fee is charged for each vehicle. This mansion is about 7 miles away from downtown Fresno and will be about a good 10- 15 minutes drive from anywhere in Fresno. The informative guided tour will take you through the 10-11 rooms of the mansion. the guide is well knowledge and will answer any question you may have. The house is well restored and is very well decorated, it is impressive to see the manor of the raisin king of Fresno. Too bad he died so early or Fresno would have a castle. This is a must visit for tourist in Fresno, the tour will end at the gift shop where you can buy almost anything.

I was born and raised in Fresno and never knew the history of this home until I took this tour with a visiting relative. Shelsea was our tour guide and she was AMAZING! She knew so much about Mr. Kearney, the era, and local history. She even made the tour fun by asking us to guess facts about antiques, wall paper, and lifestyles of that era. I would definitely recommend this tour to everyone who loves and appreciates valley history. If your lucky enough to get Shelsea as your guide, you will not be disappointed! Thank you Historical Society:)