If You Come To Florida

I feel like Ginger Rogers dancing backward in the arms of Fred Astaire trying to get my barrings. World War Two bombs are not being dropped, however, the coronavirus and police brutality are in the air. Even virtual travel seemed risky, so I searched through my photos of where I have been. If you ever get to Florida, come prepared to visit the Stetson Mansion.  

The John B. Stetson House, built-in 1886 for the hat manufacturer and designed by George T. Person, an architect from Philadelphia, in 1886 is an historic home in Deland, Florida.

The Stetson Mansion is well known for its Holiday Home Tour and I have been there several times during the Christmas season.

Stetson Mansion ranked third in the nation by USA Today for the Top Ten Readers’ Choice Best Holiday Tours in 2019. Tours are scheduled for the year 2020 beginning in November. The pictures below were taken on an off holiday tour of the home and quilts were displayed.

Home owners, Michael and JT, lived there when I toured. They purchased the historic house in 2005. Their creativity shows in the details. On the tours I attended, JT gave the tour, walking us through the mansion. The website gives extensive information about its history and the renovation process in a drop-down menu. 

The woodwork is amazing.    Flooring, no room is exactly the same

The handiwork of the quilts was top notch.

The master bedroom wardrobe was transformed into a bathroom. The original doors conceal its whereabouts in the room.

This is a must-see restoration. The kitchen has all the conveniences necessary for catering and yet maintains the integrity of the home. The website tells you everything you would want to know.

The Stetson Mansion is beautifully decorated for Christmas. Be sure not to miss it.

Other winners in the Top Ten Best Holiday Historic Home Tour were:

1. Graceland – Memphis
2. Wildwood Manor House – Toledo, Ohio
3. The Stetson Mansion – Deland, Fla.
4. Filoli Historic House and Garden – Woodside, Calif.
5. Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens – Akron, Ohio
6. Meadow Brook Hall – Rochester, Mich.
7. Brucemore – Cedar Rapids, Iowa
8. Glessner House – Chicago
9. The Mount – Lenox, Mass.
10. Webb Deane Stevens Museum – Wethersfield, Conn.

I have toured White House at Christmas twice and been to the Stetson Mansion several times but never to the other homes on the list.  Are any of these on your list?

      . . . just saying