Stetson Mansion Tour Review: Beautiful History, But Is It Worth Visiting?

I recently visited this site and I’m happy to share my Stetson Mansion tour review! While this mansion has been here my whole life, I had never known about it because it was essentially an abandoned home during my childhood.

It was saved about 16 years ago, restored, and now offers tours, both historic and Christmas. I’ll share my experience with the guided Christmas tour so you can decide if it’s worth doing for you.

Quick Facts for the Stetson Mansion Tour

• Location: Stetson Mansion, 1031 Camphor Lane DeLand, FL, 32720
• Tour types: Holiday Tour or Historic Tour and both are offered as Self-Guided or Guided
• Ticket info: $46.33 ($39.50 + $4.00 fee + 2.83 tax) for the Adult Guided Ticket.
• Reservation Required: You must book in advance on their website.
• Duration: Approximately 1 hour for the guided tour

My Stetson Mansion Tour Review

It’s December, so the only option for me was the Christmas tour. I would like to return for the historic tour one day and I’ll share my experience for both when I do.

Quick Summary of My Opinion

Overall, I enjoyed the tour, but the historic aspect was far more interesting than the Christmas decor was charming. Therefore, I think the historic tour, which runs from February to May, is probably better.

Arrival

The Stetson Mansion is actually not by Stetson or downtown, which are two of the best areas to stay in DeLand. A fact that surprised me when was looking into it! It’s not far from downtown, but it’s not within walking distance either.

Once I turned onto Camphor Lane, the mansion was easy to spot on the left! While this is a very large home by today’s standards, it’s still impressive to see! I drove through the open gate and followed the sign to the left and found a parking spot easily.

It looked like there was parking across the street as well, but I’m guessing that is more for various events that are hosted there.

The Stetson Mansion and grounds are impressive! I did feel like I stepped back in time a bit, which I enjoyed! There were plenty of people around, and I checked in at the table where a couple ladies greeted me. They made note that I was there and told me to report back to the porch at the start time of the tour.

Guided Tour Highlights

Each room had different Christmas decorations and all themed a little differently. We were told they had been decorating since June and there was so much detail!

The historical and artisan touches were the most impressive to me. The woodwork, the parquet floors, the glass and the shingles, all of which have all lasted more than 100 years!

The glass is 97% original and Tiffany glass! There’s even a wood panel from Europe that John Stetson rescued from a château that would be taken down.

John Stetson was also friends with Thomas Edison and this mansion had electricity six years before the White House! We also got to see an electric panel from this era!

This was his winter home and it was 10,000 square feet on 300 acres as it was also a working plantation. It cost $50,000 to build and while it wasn’t as large as his Philadelphia home, that one is no longer standing.

Self-Guided vs Guided Tour Option

The self-guided tour is a bit cheaper and I will probably try that the next time I visit to really compare the two options. During my visit, the guide I had was newer, but she did a great job!

After having done the Biltmore House tour in Asheville, I’m not sure I’ll like the self-guided option as much. It didn’t really come alive in the same way, so I’m curious if I’ll feel the same about the Stetson Mansion.

There are multiple guided and self-guided tour times throughout the day and it can be easy to accidentally book a self-guided if you want a guided. If it matters to you, be sure to pay close attention when booking. The options were staggered when I went to book.

Tips for Visitors to the Stetson Mansion

They do not offer tours year-round, so be sure to check their website before adding it to your DeLand itinerary. Christmas tours are offered from November 1 to mid-January, while historic tours are typically offered from February to May.

I chose a Friday and booked my tour that morning. If you want to visit on a weekend day, consider booking in advance.

According to their website, they do not take walk-ins or payments in person. You will need to book online and reserve your spot.

They do not allow any photography or video inside the mansion, but you can take footage outside on the beautiful grounds.

The stairs are fairly steep to the second floor, but no one seemed to have issues and our group did have some people with mild challenges. They do not allow electric scooters inside according to their website, but you can take a manual wheelchair or walker if needed.

Pros & Cons

What is a Stetson Mansion tour review without going over the pros and cons?

This is one of the most unique things to do in DeLand! It’s incredible to see this restored home from 1886! The construction could really not be duplicated since we don’t have artisans like this anymore.

The Christmas decor is festive, but the history offered was my favorite part of the tour.

The main con is the price of the tour. It’s not the cheapest especially when considering I did a tour of Rockefeller’s winter home in Ormond Beach for free.

I wouldn’t consider this kid friendly as I think they would be bored. There is a putting green outside and the grounds are beautiful, which can be fun before or after the tour. There are cheaper tickets offered for children, but I wouldn’t consider this a fun time for them overall.

Final Thoughts on My Stetson Mansion Tour Review

As someone who grew up relatively close to this mansion, I thought it was very interesting! The Christmas decorations were nice, but the history and craftsmanship of the home were what really fascinated me.

The tour is great, but for the price it loses some points for me. I loved the tour of the Casements in Ormond Beach, which was free, so perhaps it created an unfair comparison. Of course, this home was set to be demolished, and it was private citizens who bought and restored it! Perhaps the price is more fitting with that in mind.

Overall, I recommend it for anyone interested in Victorian architecture or history. As a holiday activity, it can be fun, but I think I’ll end up preferring the historic tour.

Stetson Mansion Tour Review

This estate in DeLand, Florida was first built in 1886 and it definitely left me in awe when it came to craftsmanship and longevity!

They really don’t make homes like they used to and when considering how many hurricanes (or even tornadoes) have come through DeLand just when I lived there, it’s amazing that it’s still standing!

If historic homes are of interest to you, then I think you’ll love this tour! I’m grateful someone thought to save this piece of history!