DeLand-Deltona Beacon
December 14-17, 2006
Page B-1 & B-4

"Stetson Mansion to be saved and shared with community"
by Jennifer Coolidge

The Stetson Mansion, the Florida winter retreat of John Batterson Stetson, was once an exquisite estate in DeLand. The house and grounds were for sale for more than 10 years, in danger of demolition. Stetson, creator of the famous Western hat as well as namesake of Stetson University, was an inspiration to two investors from South Florida: J.T. Thompson and Michael Solari. The two decided to take the risk and invest in purchasing the Stetson Mansion more than a year ago.

"We were inspired to learn about John B. Stetson, his integrity, innovation as businessman, contributions to the community, and vision with this home. We wanted to bring it back to grandeur so as to last for the next 100 years and share it with the community," said Solari. An urban historian, Solari received a Bachelor's degree in urban studies from Stanford University in Palo Alto, Calif., and a master's degree in history from Tufts University in Medford, Mass. Solari has been fascinated with historic homes since childhood. He described the Stetson Mansion as a truly unusual combination of Gothic, Tudor, Moorish and Polynesian architecture.

He noted the Stetson Mansion is known as one of Florida's most unique Victorian homes and one of the first homes in the world designed with Edison's electricity. This mansion, which sits on more than 2 acres of sprawling greens, was designed in 1886 by noted architect George T. Pearson, who was known for his great attention to detail. This home boasts more than 10,000 square feet, including beautiful, intricately inlaid parquet floors and stained-glass windows with rare roundels.

To renovate the house, the Thompson/Solari team considered a showcase in order to raise funds for a worthwhile cause. They contacted the DeLand Museum of Art and asked us to partner on the project. Thompson/Solari wanted to create an adaptive restoration by working with designers and manufacturers to showcase classic, contemporary products within this historic structure.

"What makes this design home unique is that this is a home full of history and old-world craftsmanship," said Thompson, the driving force working to promote the project to national suppliers and manufacturers.

Area historian John Hess said, "The Stetson Mansion is not one person's home - it belongs to the community." That is the underlying philosophy of this partnership.

The Stetson Mansion, School House and Gardens will, upon renovation, become the site for the DeLand Museum of Art's Arts in Autumn 2007 fundraiser as the gala grand opening. A two-month-long showcase for the public will follow, and will include programs, tours, and lectures. All proceeds are to benefit the DeLand Museum of Art. The house will also showcase the work of Florida artists throughout.

Stetson Mansion, School House and Gardens Showcase will provide a spectacular venue for manufacturer and designer participants to display their products, enable the preservation of one of the nation's threatened historical architectural treasures updated for adaptive use, create a beautiful destination landmark, and earn funds to benefit the youth programs at the DeLand Museum of Art for the next generation of artists and architects.

Supporters of this national treasure involved to date include: Tinker Graphics, Web site design; Intrinsic Hardwood Flooring Inc.; Amarr Garage Doors; Jahluka Painting Inc.; GAF Materials Corp.; Ecodomo, LLC; Florida Public Utilities; Alice Designs for You, LLC; Integrity Sales and Marketing; Rinnai Instant Hot Water Heaters; Rinnai Tankless Water Heaters; Portable on Demand Storage; Marley Excavating Inc.; Atlantic Premium Shutters; American Tile & Stone Inc.; Velux, skylights & sun tunnels; Hadco, distributors of Viking Appliances; Electrolux Appliances; Street of Dreams Inc.; Premier Luxury Home Tours; Imperial Mailbox Systems; Savogran; Strypeeze Wood Products; Fine Design Custom Closets; Garage Siding; Kwikset Locks; McElroy Metal; Sunbelt Rentals; Collis Roofing; Copperhead Sinks; Sherwin-Williams; Zurn Plumbing; Pex Pipe; House Replumb; LG Electronics USA; Marti Schmidt, custom fabric designer; Rainhandler; Gutter Alternatives; Gutter Free, LLC; Parksite Builder Solutions; Fieldstone Cabinetry; Roseanne's Interior Design; ADS - Advanced Drainage Systems Inc.; Cambria; Quality Quartz Surfaces; Nordman Ornamental Nursery; PGT Windows; Custom Windows; Ruth Gary, faux and custom painting; Piano Wholesalers; Discover Marble & Granite; Carolina Lanterns; Savagran and Calkins Electric.

For more information on supporting the Stetson Mansion, School House and Gardens, visit www.stetsonmansion.com, or call (386) 873-0167 or (386) 734-4371.

- The mission of The DeLand Museum of Art, located at 600 N. Woodland Blvd., is to integrate exhibitions and education to create an enriching and stimulating experience for a diverse audience. The DeLand Museum of Art offers a venue for emerging and established Florida artists to support the cultural legacy of our state.

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