10,000 original leaded-glass windows.
The mansion features 10,000 panes of original leaded glass.
Source: Stetson Mansion [S13].
The Stetson Mansion — Florida's First Gilded Age Estate
Quick answer: The Stetson Mansion in DeLand, Florida is the state's first Gilded Age luxury home, built in 1886 for hat-making magnate John B. Stetson. Thomas Edison personally supervised the electrical installation. President Grover Cleveland and King Edward VII were among the Stetsons' guests. It operates today as historic tours and an event venue.
Location
Address: 1031 Camphor Lane, DeLand, FL 32720Hours: Tours Tue–Sat by advance reservation
Get directions on Google Maps
The origin story
When Henry A. DeLand heard that his friend John Stetson was seeking a warmer climate for his health, he invited him to Central Florida. Stetson purchased 250+ acres for an orange grove and completed his winter mansion in less than a year [S13, S14].
The architecture
Four sourced claims that define the mansion's Gilded Age stature.
16 parquet wood floor patterns.
Some of the nation's rarest and most intricate parquet flooring, in sixteen distinct geometric patterns.
Source: Stetson Mansion [S13].
Wired by Edison.
Thomas Edison personally supervised the electrical installation — one of the first homes in the world designed and built for electricity.
Source: Stetson Mansion [S13], Visit Florida [S14].
High Victorian in shingle vernacular.
Architectural historians cite the mansion as an excellent example of George T. Pearson's eclectic High Victorian style — Shingle-style with cottage, Gothic, Tudor, Moorish, and Polynesian details.
Source: Visit Florida [S14].
Notable guests
President Grover Cleveland, King Edward VII, the Vanderbilts, Astors, Tiffanys, Carnegies, and Mellons were all entertained at the mansion [S14].
The Stetsons' winter life
The Stetsons were among Florida's first snowbirds, traveling from Philadelphia each year to enjoy six months in DeLand [S14].
Visit today
- Operates as historic tours and an event venue.
- stetsonmansion.com
- Listed with the National Trust for Historic Preservation [S17].
Frequently asked questions
- When was the Stetson Mansion built?
- 1886, in less than one year. [S13, S14]
- Who designed the Stetson Mansion?
- Philadelphia architect George T. Pearson. [S14]
- Did Thomas Edison work on the Stetson Mansion?
- Yes. Edison was a personal friend of John B. Stetson and supervised the installation of electricity, making it one of the first homes in the world built for electricity. [S13, S14]
- Who stayed at the Stetson Mansion?
- President Grover Cleveland and King Edward VII were both guests, as were the Vanderbilts, Astors, Tiffanys, Carnegies, and Mellons. [S14]
- Is the Stetson Mansion open to the public?
- Yes — as historic tours and an event venue. [S13]
- Where is the Stetson Mansion?
- 1031 Camphor Lane, DeLand, Florida 32720.