DeLAND, Fla. – News 6 loves to showcase hidden gems across Central Florida, and one of those gems is taking us back 139 years to the house that hats built.
We’re talking about the Stetson Mansion in DeLand, which has new owners offering daily tours. A viewer emailed us saying we should check it out, so News 6’s Lisa Bell went there to see it first-hand.
“As I walked through room after room of the nearly 10,000-square-foot mansion, the attention to detail was striking. From stained glass windows and original parquet floors to six marble fireplaces, the beauty of the mansion is breathtaking,” Bell said.
The Stetsons were among the very first snowbirds, wintering in DeLand for 20 years until John Stetson’s passing in 1906. They were intrigued by DeLand Academy, which eventually became Stetson University thanks to their philanthropy.
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In the dining room, the Stetsons hosted notable figures such as President Grover Cleveland, King Edward VII and the Vanderbilts. The mansion was equipped with hot and cold running water on all three floors, as well as indoor plumbing, which was unheard of at the time.
John Stetson was friends with Thomas Edison, who wired the house with DC current, making DeLand one of the first places in the state to have ice and electric streetlights.
Over the years, the mansion has been restored to its former glory while keeping many relics of its past, including its original DC circuit box with Edison’s handwriting on the tags. The new owners have opened the mansion to the community, believing that sharing its rich history is essential.
“Keeping it open to the community is what keeps her alive. Not sharing the rich history would be a loss,” said Stetson Mansion tour guide Alixandria Miller.
On the tour, you’ll learn much more, including how Stetson cologne, bourbon and other Stetson items came about. The mansion also hosts an annual Christmas spectacular and serves as a wedding and events venue.
For more on the tours and their times, visit Stetson Mansion’s website.
