About the Museum:
The DeLand House Museum was built in 1886 by DeLand's first attorney, George Hamlin, who also developed the Hamlin Orange. Originally a one and a half story structure, the house was built upon land purchased from Henry A. DeLand, the founding father of the City. At the time, the site extended all the way to Woodland Boulevard and had an orange grove from the house to the street.
In 1893 John B. Stetson, the hat manufacturer and benefactor to the university that bears his name, purchased the home for faculty housing. Ten years later Dr. Charles Farriss, professor of Greek at the University, purchased the home. During the time of his ownership, Dr. Farriss made significant changes to the building which transformed the simple house into a residence that embodies classical styling and character. By raising the roof, he added the second floor and relocated the interior stairs. He added the full-height Greek revival portico on the East elevation and the entry porch on the South side.
Dr. Farriss' hobby was working with leaded and stained glass. His work can be seen around the main entrance doors, the transom above the side entrance, over the fireplace in the North parlor, and in some of the cabinet doors.
Another if the interesting features of the house is the firewood trolley by the wood burning fireplaces where the stored logs could be pulled back and forth between the rooms to feed the fires as needed. The bow-bay window in the South parlor is a particularly beautiful and unique architectural feature and believed to be part of the original construction. The well preserved floors, stairway and woodwork are of heart and curly pine.
The home changed ownership several times over the years and in the 40's during wartime when housing was scarce, the second floor was converted to two apartments while the owner retained an apartment on the first floor. The sun rooms on the West side were added at that time.
In 1988 the house was purchased by Robert and Hawtense Conrad and donated to the City. Assisted with funds provided by the City of DeLand and the County of Volusia many individuals, businessmen, contractors, and suppliers united to devote their time, materials, and expertise to restore the structure to the period when the Farriss family lived in it. The DeLand House Museum was completed and dedicated in 1990.
Ninety-five percent of the period furnishings in the museum have been donated by interested, dedicated, generous citizens of the area. A unique feature of the museum is the fact that the history of West Volusia County is on the walls depicted in the extensive collection of period photographs. The authentic artifacts and memorabilia displayed in the cabinets and cupboards trace the history and development of DeLand and the surrounding area.
