DeLand, FL, Nov. 4, 2024 – The Christmas Mansion, also known as Stetson Mansion, Florida’s most historic home and only Gilded Age mansion, has opened its doors – allowing visitors to enjoy the decorations once again for the 2024 holiday season. The Christmas Mansion features 10 elaborately decorated rooms on display with various themes including An Angelic Celestial Celebration, A Country Christmas, A Bing Crosby Christmas, An Iconic Stetson Christmas, Enchanted Christmas, A Santa Convention and more.
The Christmas Mansion has been recognized as the number two attraction in the 2023 USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice travel award contest for Best Holiday Historic Home Tour and was the only Florida attraction to make the list. The Christmas Mansion has also maintained status at TripAdvisor’s #1 rated Landmark Tourist Attraction since 2014 and Top 10 Attractions in the USA since 2022.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to share history and festivity with visitors and members of our community,” said Michael Solari. “Each year, we meticulously design and curate a magical holiday experience in hopes of spreading joy. It is an honor to return to the 2024 holiday season with more opportunities to share our love for Christmas and an incredible historic home which we are grateful to look after.”
“The Christmas Mansion is always a popular choice for visitors here in West Volusia County,” said Georgia Turner, Executive Director of West Volusia Tourism Advertising Authority. “We have so much fen seeing what they come up with every year to highlight the historical value of the home surrounded by the pure joy of Christmas!”
The Christmas Mansion, known as the “House That Hats Built”, was the home of famed hat maker and philanthropist, John B. Stetson – Florida’s first “snowbird”. Not only did Stetson become the main benefactor for Florida’s first private university – Stetson University – but his presence in DeLand and the building of his home brought modern amenities into Florida. Built in 1886, Stetson’s mansion is the first and only Gilded Age estate in Florida and was the first home in the state to incorporate Edison electricity, steam heat, indoor plumbing, and a call bell system. It has always remained occupied as a residential home, even through restorations, and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
The Christmas Mansion is open for tours showcasing specially themed holiday decorations throughout the home, offered two to seven times daily through January 18, 2025 Reservations required. For more information and to make reservations, visit stetsonmansion.com.