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It is impossible to ignore, yet so easy to overlook. The Stetson Mansion rises three stories, incorporates even more architectural styles and is the very model of Victorian-era opulence. It is both a design masterpiece and a historic treasure, the embodiment of the wealth, power and influence of John B. Stetson, the famous hat manufacturer of the 19th century. But even longtime DeLand residents might need a map to locate this particular treasure. Although easily visible from Spring Garden Avenue, this imposing, grand mansion somehow manages to fade into the background, seemingly hidden behind an old service station. Its new owners hope to change all of that. They've embarked on an ambitious restoration project with the goal of opening the doors of the Stetson Mansion to the public for the very first time. Not Quite a Beach House J.T. Thompson and Michael Solari were in the market for a place near the ocean. "We were looking for a little beach house in Ormond," Thompson said. "I asked the Realtor if they had anything with more character." A short drive to DeLand and $565,000 later, the partners from South Florida were the proud new owners of an 8,500-square-foot Victorian mansion listed on the National Register of Historic Places. While they don't have beach access, they do have access to six fireplaces, dozens of stunning leaded and stained glass windows and room after room of hardwood parquet floors, each sporting its own unique inlaid design. The two have renovated homes before, but Thompson admits they've never done anything on this scale. But they had a plan: Turn the mansion into a showcase home, invite contractors, artisans and other sponsors to lend their talents to the restoration and then open it up for tours. Now, they've set a deadline for themselves, too: fall 2007. "This is going to be an incredible show house," Thompson said. "We've gotten a lot of national sponsors on board. Who wouldn't want to put their stamp on this?" A Solid Foundation From the grand staircase to the third floor servant bedrooms, the mansion is surprisingly well preserved, especially considering its age. Construction began in 1886. It took about one year to build what would become a winter home for Stetson and his family. Aside from a few years here and there, the mansion on Camphor Lane (and not on the campus of Stetson University) has been continuously occupied ever since. Even still, "it's remarkable that none of the windows have been broken out," said Bill Dreggors with the West Volusia Historical Society. "It has a great history to it." Plenty of work remains, though. Finding contractors for certain projects has been difficult, Thompson said. " "What I find sometimes overwhelming is getting people onboard," he said, "and getting people to show up." Hidden Surprises Thompson is standing the middle of the small schoolhouse located next to the mansion that Stetson had built just for his children. It's just as hot inside as it is out. But he wants to show off some of this small building's big details. The original chalkboards are still intact. And the ceiling throughout this 800-square-foot room soars into a Polynesian-style arch. It's details like these -- odd combinations of disparate styles that somehow manage to work, and work well -- that make the mansion unique. "This is something that I don't even think people in DeLand realize is here," Thompson said. "This is a national treasure and it's in our own backyard." Mansion Showcase
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For Additional
Info Please Contact:
JT Thompson
Michael Solari
showcase@stetsonmansion.com
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