Stetson Mansion

1031 Camphor Lane, DeLand, FL 32720

407 223-3079

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93 visitor photos

Ranked #1 of 53 attractions in DeLand

378 Reviews

Type: Architectural Buildings

Owner description: Stetson Mansion is a spectacular Victorian mansion built for famed hatmaker and philanthropist John B Stetson in 1886. Situated right between Orlando... more » Owner description: Stetson Mansion is a spectacular Victorian mansion built for famed hatmaker and philanthropist John B Stetson in 1886. Situated right between Orlando and Daytona in Deland makes it convenient for all visiting the central Florida area. This is Florida's first luxury estate and houses some of the most beautiful and intricate parquet floors in the world. The mansion has hosted such noted guests as President Cleveland, King Edward VII, the Astors, the Vanderbilts, Louis C Tiffany and Thomas Edison. In fact this is one of the first homes in the world to be designed and built with Edison electricity and Mr Edison oversaw the install himself. This is not your typical Victorian mansion though. The owners have painstakingly renovated every square inch of the 10,000 sq foot masterpiece while incorporating today's modern conveniences. All this was done without compromising the architectural or historical integrity. Every room on every one of the three floors is magnificently decorated and every room features a different style floor and window design. There is not one room that is off limits for visitors to see on their guided tour, you get to see it all including the owner's suite and the original 1886 schoolhouse which has been lovingly restored and converted to a "Zen"like cottage. There is also a beautiful meditation garden, gazebo and pool area for visitors to enjoy. Reservations are required $20 per person $10 for children.

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378 reviews from our community

barbacat

Edison, New Jersey

Senior Contributor

22 reviews

14 attraction reviews

Reviews in 5 cities

4 helpful votes

“A bit of history near Disneyworld--Stetson Mansion”

Reviewed April 28, 2013

In Deland Florida, about 40 minutes from Orlando is the beautifully restored home of the Stetson family. Who knew that the maker of the famous Stetson hat of cowboy movies was from Philadelphia PA with a winter home in Deland. We had a wonderfully informative guided tour by Suzanne. A formal tea is served by reservation several times per week.

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First of all thank you for your top rated review as well as your visit with us! Suzanne's teas and tours are a huge success and her passion for what she does is very apparent. I always love to hear from friends from my home state of New Jersey..I grew up off exit 144!! Thank you for letting people know... More

shaggen

Hudson, Florida

2 reviews

“Gorgeous”

Reviewed April 19, 2013

So worth the trip. Great history and beautiful renovation. The Zen garden out back is so peaceful. Must return for the Christmas tour.

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Thank you so much for visiting and touring the Stetson Mansion!! I too love the Zen garden and I take any opportunity I can to meander through it! I always feel more centered and joyful when I do. Thanks for posting and I look forward to seeing you at Christmas time!! More

FloridaTraveller1

florida

Top Contributor

76 reviews

15 attraction reviews

Reviews in 35 cities

47 helpful votes

“Beautiful setting for a outdoor party”

Reviewed April 9, 2013

We were invited to a private function for the second year in a row & the house along with the beautiful grounds/landscaping do not disappoint. It is the perfect place for an outdoor party, wedding etc.

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Thank you very much for letting readers know that Stetson Mansion is also available for that special event as well! From weddings to fundraisers, we've hosted them all! So happy you enjoyed your time at the Stetson Mansion!! More

florettemelton

Lexington, North Carolina

1 review

“What a great time!!”

Reviewed March 26, 2013

As a real estate broker, I am always interested in seeing fabulous, unique properties. My husband and I are both interested in historical tours and interesting sights. The Stetson Mansion fits the bill on all counts! The floors, the windows, the attention to detail in the restoration is fabulous. J.T., one of the owners, is truly a wealth of information... More

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What a great compliment to have a realtor and lover of historic properties give such a wonderful review! The Stetson Mansion is situated just a little ways from the worlds most visited city Orlando so we do look forward to the day that many many more visitors from around the globe add the Stetson Mansion to their must see list... More

Lois K

Summrfield

1 review

2 helpful votes

“Worth a second visit”

Reviewed March 8, 2013

We first visited Stetson Mansion in December when it was dressed up for Christmas - Outstanding. A return visit was the first thing we scheduled when our daughter came to visit in February. The lack of Christmas decoration in no way diminished the experience, in fact we were better able to take in the wonderful wood floors and architectural details... More

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Thank you, thank you Lois for your top rated review and for also bringing up a great point. The Stetson Mansion is magical and spectacular during the Christmas season and I recommend everyone put it on your holiday calendar of things to do! :) But if you want to see the mansions details in all their natural beauty without embellishments... More

Ann W

The Villages, Florida

2 reviews

1 helpful vote

“a must visit”

Reviewed March 6, 2013

I've been to the Mansion twice in the last 4 months, once during the Christmas decore phase and now just to concentrate on the Mansion itself. NEVER have I seen such magnificent, beautifully preserved floors and wood work. NEVER have I seen such imagination to take a Victorian house and turn it into a liveable, modern home, while retaining the... More

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Ann thank you so much for such a passionate review!! Having guests like you visit the mansion truly is a gift for Michael and I . Your ideas and feedback are awesome and we are really trying to implement your recommendations! Thank you again so much for allowing us to share the mansion with you and for posting your feedback... More

coastalvogue

Island Heights, New Jersey

1 review

1 helpful vote

“An unexpected but inspirational treasure!”

Reviewed March 5, 2013

An Interior Designer for many years, I was sure to appreciate this historic house. Surprisingly my engineer husband enjoyed the tour every bit as much as I. More than just a dusty relic of the Victorian Era, the Stetson Mansion is presented to visitors more as a Showhouse, fresh and revitalized for today's living while honoring its iconic past. Owner... More

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What a huge compliment!! Your favorite house tour ever and you are an interior designer!! Wow I can't ask for more than that! Michael and I were crazy to take on such a monumental project but we never once regretted our decision...not once! Our biggest dream now is to share the magic of the Stetson Mansion with the world for... More

Jennifer053

Sunshine State visitor

Reviewer

4 reviews

Reviews in 4 cities

4 helpful votes

“The Grand Dame-Stetson Mansion”

Reviewed March 4, 2013

Don't miss the opportunity to tour this magnificent "Grand Dame" of the guilded age. The work owners, JT and Michael, have done to bring this architectural treasure back to life is breathtaking. How wonderful they open up their home a few times a week for the rest of us to enjoy their beautiful home. It is definitely worth the price... More

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Thank you so much for all your wonderful words of encouragement and support! We have done our best to breathe new life back into this magnificant architectural structure and hopefully we have done so! Stetson Mansion is Florida's first luxury estate and we are so honored to be able to share it with thousands of guests from around the world!... More

shredbetti

Vancouver, Canada

Contributor

19 reviews

3 attraction reviews

Reviews in 11 cities

12 helpful votes

“Fab!”

Reviewed February 26, 2013

I was visiting my Aunt in Ormond Beach FL, so when she offered to do a mansion tour, I jumped at the chance!I love architecture, and was so happy to visit during Christmas. The tour was led by JT and he did a fantastic job of walking us through the "story" of the restoration. I could not get over the... More

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I am so happy that you had a chance to experience the beautiful architecture and fascinating history of the Stetson Mansion during your visit! I would like to also thank you for writing a review of your time with us as well! More

Margaret M

Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States

1 review

1 helpful vote

“amazing restoration”

Reviewed February 24, 2013

We so enjoyed touring the Stetson Mansion and seeing up close and personal the restoration so lovingly done by Michael and TJ, the current owners. Andy, our tour guide, did a good job of telling us all about the changes which have taken "this old house" into the 21st century.

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Andy is building quite a fan base and his love for Deland history and the Stetson Mansion is contagious! Thank you so much for taking the time to visit with us and for being so kind as to write a review. I will pass this on to Andy! Thanks again! More