Perkins Stone Mansion and John Brown House Tours

Tours of the Summit County Historical Society's historic structures start at the office and Woodshed Emporium Gift Shop located behind the Perkins Stone Mansion. Tickets include guided tours of both the Perkins Stone Mansion & John Brown House buildings.

The Perkins Stone Mansion was constructed between 1835 and 1837 with funds paid by Akron's founder, General Simon Perkins, for his son and daugther-in-law, Colonel Simon Perkins and Grace Tod Perkins. Colonel Simon Perkins was instrumental in helping to form Summit County as a state senator in 1840. Their home and its properties represent tremendous change in Akron and Summit County from agriculture to industry, military might and transportation history.

The theme for the 2025 season at the old stone house is "kNOw PERKINS - kNOw AKRON' curated by Denise Lundell. Take a journey through time using the lens of Society artifacts on display this year for Akron's Bicentennial. From its founding to industry and famous people, there's something for everyone. October tours feature Victorian Mourning and Halloween Happenings. Please note that Perkins Paranormal Trick or Trick tickets are sold separately on EventBrite.

Family. Farm. Freedom. is the exhibit sharing the life of John Brown. A temporary exhibit of Summit County barns and stone barns paintings by Dr. Robert Kroeger are on display in the gallery. These paintings will be up for auction this fall.

Tours are also available without an appointment if tickets are still open per day and may be purchased at the gift shop.

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Host or Publisher The Summit County Historical Society of Akron, Ohio