MAKING HISTORY — An exterior shot of the newly renovated DeLand House Museum, located at 137 W. Michigan Ave. in DeLand.
After four years and extensive renovations completed through a collaborative effort of the West Volusia Historical Society and the City of DeLand, the DeLand House Museum is once again open to the public.
“A little history lesson,” began former West Volusia Historical Society President Mary Lou Peffer at a June 4 ceremonial ribbon-cutting, outside the bright and welcoming entrance of the historical DeLand House Museum, located at 137 W. Michigan Avenue in DeLand.
“Four years ago — in March of 2020 — when the West Volusia Historical Society stopped having tours here due to COVID-19, some of us discussed the idea of giving this old house a face-lift,” Peffer reflected.
“Some of the wallpaper was getting a little shabby, and we thought, ‘Well, it needs to be worked on for the few months we might be closed.’ So we formed a renovation team and assumed it would take a few months and cost a few thousand dollars, but as one of our longtime members Jackie Kersh said, … ‘Well, it will probably take twice as long and cost twice as much as you anticipate, but do it anyhow, and good luck.’”
Peffer continued humorously: “Jackie was wrong, however, because as you know: It took much longer and cost much more than twice. But here we are today, June 4, 2024 — celebrating our opening of the renovated house museum that has actually exceeded our expectations.”
A collaborative effort
The effort could not have been completed without the hard work and detailed efforts of the City of DeLand Parks and Recreation and Facilities departments, and the West Volusia Historical Society offered their gratitude and admiration with an event on May 30 that welcomed those who worked directly on the renovations.
West Volusia Historical Society members dressed in period costume and welcomed city staff with docent tours of the DeLand House Museum, refreshments, and the opportunity to record the names of those who worked on the project.
This record will be added to the historical archives that are housed in the Robert M. Conrad Education and Research Center, located directly next to the DeLand House Museum. City staff and West Volusia Historical Society members socialized and admired the craftsmanship that continues a meaningful tradition of historic preservation within the city of DeLand.
DeLand Mayor Chris Cloudman addressed attendees of the June 4 ribbon-cutting ceremony. “This is the culmination of a long, collaborative project that is a wonderful example of preserving our history in this city,” Cloudman said. “This home has stood for many, many years … and it will now stand for many, many years to come.”
“I had the opportunity to visit and get a preview of the new displays and new exhibits, and it is incredible … you have to go in when the docents are there because the stories in each of the rooms are what really make it. It’s the living history that adds to it,” Cloudman described of his experience viewing the renovated museum.
With the enthusiastic insights of a West Volusia Historical Society docent, a tour of the the DeLand House Museum allows for a glimpse of the academic, architectural and cultural past of DeLand, as well as preservation efforts that have been in place since the late 1980s.
Bringing history to life
According to the West Volusia Historical Society, “DeLand House is a living time capsule that tells the tale of DeLand/West Volusia progress, firmly based on our shared heritage, sense of community, and legacy of resilience and progress.”
The DeLand House, built in 1886, was donated to the City of DeLand by Robert and Hawtense Conrad in 1988, with the intention of serving as a museum and headquarters for the West Volusia Historical Society.
By 1990, the DeLand House held a new purpose at the end of the 20th century. Efforts led by historian Bill Dreggors saw the DeLand House adapted into a space for West Volusia Historical Society “tours, meetings, parties, and living history reenactments,” as well as the West Volusia Historical Society headquarters.
The neighboring Robert M. Conrad Educational and Research Center was built in 1997, which now houses a research library, archives, bookshop, “Makers’ Guild Gift Boutique” and workshop space.
An appreciation of local craftsmanship
According to the West Volusia Historical Society, renovation efforts of the past four years include: “foundation stabilization, roof replacement, wood damage repairs, window glazing and painting, east entry repairs, exterior painting, door replacements, fire escape repairs, and landscape improvements; as well as interior wall prep, plaster repair, painting and wallpaper replacement, carpentry, window treatments, flooring repair, light fixture replacements, and some furnishings.”
DeLand House Museum Renovation Project Manager Nicki Junkins described the goals of “authenticity and accuracy” in the historical renovation and how working with the City of DeLand, and local experts and craftspeople, moved the collaborative effort forward.
“We were very, very fortunate to have the guidance of two local experts. Poppy Flack … as our extraordinary interior designer and Mark Shuttleworth [of DeLand’s Florida Victorian Architectural Salvage] … who is our restoration guru,” said Junkins. “We [also] want to give special recognition to our interior renovation contractor Jim Hanson. Jim’s handiwork and craftsmanship is evident in every room.”
Stepping into history
Linda Barnett, current president of the West Volusia Historical Society, described what a visitor will experience upon stepping through the doorways of the DeLand House Museum.
“The renewed museum … offers a glimpse into the lives and times of DeLand … after the First World War. This is seen through the eyes of those who lived here for almost four decades: Dr. and Mrs. Charles Farriss and their son Carl,” Barnett said.
Dr. Charles Farriss served as a vice president of Stetson University, and both Dr. Farriss and Mrs. Alma Richardson Farriss served as Stetson University staff in the first part of the 1900s, and the rooms of the home are carefully appointed in both style and furnishings that harken back to the early 20th century.
“In a sense, the story of the house and the Farrisses … really reflects much about the history of DeLand,” Project Manager Junkins described. “The house itself is a backdrop for a story that is being told … the society decided to tell the story of the Farriss family, their connection to Stetson and the community, and then the house is the backdrop for that story.”
