Discovering the Stetson Mansion: A Journey Through Luxury and Craftsmanship

Christine Andrade
Dec 24, 2025
3 min read

Updated: Jan 13

The Legacy of John B. Stetson

Did you know that Florida’s first luxury estate has a connection to hats? The Stetson Mansion in DeLand stands as a testament to Gilded Age grandeur. Built in 1886 for legendary hatmaker John B. Stetson, it was the largest and most opulent home in Florida before the 20th century. This magnificent estate boasts innovations far ahead of its time, including Edison electricity, steam heat, indoor plumbing, and a call bell system.

Inside, you will find 16 unique mosaic parquet floors, 10,000 panes of antique glass, and exquisite handcrafted wood details. These features showcase an extraordinary attention to artistry. Unlike a frozen museum, the mansion has always been occupied. It served as the home of Florida’s first snowbird and its famed hat baron. Though it was hidden and largely forgotten for a century, it has now been carefully rescued, restored, and renewed in timeless fashion.

The Evolution of Hatmaking

Before his name became synonymous with the American West, John B. Stetson was a young craftsman. He learned hat-making in his father’s workshop and later carried that knowledge westward in the 1860s. There, he created a durable, weather-resistant felt hat made from beaver and fur. This design balanced rugged function with thoughtful construction. The result, famously known as the “Boss of the Plains,” became an instant companion to ranchers, explorers, and frontier travelers.

Stetson hats evolved into a symbol of independence, character, and understated elegance. They were never merely garments; they were extensions of identity — shaped by craftsmanship, resilience, and intention. Over time, the name Stetson came to represent the pinnacle of Western hatmaking, synonymous with heritage craftsmanship and the refined, luxury expression of the Western aesthetic.

The Renaissance of the Stetson Mansion

Decades later, the home Stetson built in DeLand found its own renaissance. In 2005, the mansion was purchased by Michael Solari and J.T. Thompson. They undertook an extraordinary restoration of the nearly forgotten Gilded-Age estate. Their vision extended beyond preservation; they imagined the mansion as a living place of storytelling and tradition.

Hat shop owner, Christine Andrade, outside the Stetson Mansion

From that idea grew what is now the beloved Stetson Christmas House. Each room is transformed for the season through months of planning, design, and hand-placed detail. What began as a restoration project became a cultural gift: a home reborn as an immersive Christmas museum that celebrates history through beauty, atmosphere, and memory.

A Festive Immersion into Heritage

For admirers of craftsmanship, history, and the enduring language of design, the Stetson Christmas House is more than a holiday destination; it is an immersion into heritage. Each of the ten elaborately themed rooms offers its own festive story. From traditional Nativity scenes to imaginative seasonal vignettes, every surface, garland, and tree is arranged with painstaking attention to detail.

Amid the layers of décor, subtle nods to the Stetson legacy appear — hats here and there, reminders of the man whose vision shaped both fashion and culture. The experience is immersive, artful, and deeply curated. It allows visitors to step fully into the holiday spirit while walking through a living museum of history, artistry, and timeless design.

Experience the Stetson Mansion

For sneak peek highlights, visit our Instagram page at Little Havana Shop and look for the "Stetson Christmas Mansion" reel. Let us know if you have visited the Stetson Mansion.