DeLand House Museum reopens after years-long renovation

After being closed for more than four years following a major renovation project, re-enactors in turn-of-the-century period costumes finally welcomed visitors back to the DeLand House Museum recently.

Constructed in 1886, the home at 137 W. Michigan Ave., was established by Charles and Alma Farriss during the Gilded Age when Henry Flagler, John Stetson, Henry DeLand and other notable figures began to build estates in Florida and ignite more development and visitation to the state. Robert and Hawtense Conrad purchased the home in 1988 and deeded it to the City of DeLand.

One of the re-encators providing tours the day of the reopening was Vernette Conrad, a docent for the museum and part of the extended Conrad family. Conrad stepped into one upstairs bedroom to provide more background on the Farrisses for a number of guests.

"She (Alma) was 13 years younger than her to-be husband (Charles) and at that time that wasn't very accepted. Her father didn't like it, but she slipped away and married him anyway," Conrad said. "She was definitely ahead of her time."

Since the 1980s, the West Volusia Historical Society has overseen the museum's operation as an historical and educational center. While some initial upgrades were done at that time, both the city and the historical society have sought to do more over the last few decades.

When the DeLand House Museum reopened on June 4, both entities saw the fruits of their labor realized. Through a combination of public and private contributions, a comprehensive restoration project was completed at a final budget of just upwards of $300,000, including in-kind donations for work and materials.

"This is the culmination of a long partnership between the city and this society," said Sarah Finch, executive director for the West Volusia Historical Society.

Fundraising for the current project began around March 2020, when the museum was closed to public access. The campaign slowed during the pandemic but picked up steam again more recently.

Finch said every effort was made to "authentically replicate the historical time period," such as adding a pastel palette to the repainting of the structure's exterior and interior improvements like chandeliers that more closely aligned with turn-of-the-century fixtures.

Other restorations made include foundation stabilization; roof replacement; porch repairs; window glazing and painting; flooring replacements; window treatments; new wallpaper; and other upgrades. Other improvements going forward include adding more landscaping and an outdoor group educational space.

Overall, the community's reaction has been "very positive," according to Finch.

New exhibits have been added, such as displays about other families of note throughout DeLand's history, as well as a series of rotating exhibits.

"We wanted to bring to light what life was like through the eyes of the Ferris family but also bring in some other folks who left their mark in DeLand," Finch said.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: What's old is new again: DeLand House gets a facelift before reopening