Stetson Mansion

Marjory and I toured the Stetson Mansion in Deland, Florida, on March 3, 2015.  This may have been our most delightful tour ever.  We particularly enjoyed comparing the features of this home with its near contemporary, our W. F. Patton house in Danville, Virginia.

A winter home for famous hat maker John B. Stetson, this 1886 home is a private residence rather than a public house museum.  The owners live there every day, maintaining the property and conducting tours with the assistance of only two docents.  Our docent, Debbie Pixley, obviously loved what she was doing, blending Stetson history with the amazing story of the home's renovation.

Stetson Mansion, west and south fronts

While it is not the largest or the most ideally situated, the Stetson is the oldest gilded-age mansion in Florida.  While only 2.3 acres now, it was at one time situated on 300 acres of orange groves, pineapple fields, and sugar cane.

Perhaps the most outstanding feature of the home is its floors.  While many Victorian houses have floors with ornate borders, this house has nothing but borders.  Note the fine tessellation on the floor of the music room below.

Front / entry porch, parlor, and music room

Without a doubt, a visit to the Stetson is well worth the time and expense.  Reservations are required, which can only be made at their web site online.