Historic Wesley house at Eden Gardens State Park decorated for the holidays, Candlelight Tour Dec. 17

December 6, 2016

Wesley House decked out for the holidays. Lori Ceier/Walton Outdoors
Wesley House decked out for the holidays. Lori Ceier/Walton Outdoors

Eden Gardens State Park and the Friends of Eden invite you to join them for a tour of the Wesley House through the holidays. All of the rooms of the historic home have been decorated with Christmas cheer. Each room is decorated in a variety of different themes by local organizations.

Tours of the Wesley House are Thursday – Monday from 10 a.m.- 3 p.m., every hour on the hour. The Christmas decorations will be up through Dec. 31. The rest of the park is open 7 days a week.

On Dec. 17, from 5 – 8 p.m., enjoy the Candlelight Tour, with a traditional walk through the luminaries to the Historic Wesley House to enjoy it’s beautifully seasonally decorated rooms along with carolers singing Christmas songs. After the tour is completed, the Friends of Eden will be providing refreshments in the pavilion. It’s an evening meant to be enjoyed by all who attend. Donations to the Friends of Eden Gardens are welcome and appreciated.  
Fees: Admission fees to the park and the event are waived for the Candlelight Tour.
 Contact: (850) 267-8320. ::MAP::

This year, the following businesses and individuals contributed their decorating talents:

The Destin Woman’s Club decorated the downstairs entryway, upstairs hallway, and the staircase with the theme of “A Christmas Carol.”

Anna Lisa Daniel of “Clay” on 30A “Make a Joyful Song this Christmas” on the sun porch.

Members of Green Thumb Garden Club of Santa Rosa Beach wish you “Yuletide Greetings” in the parlor.

Russ Barley and Tim Ard of Emerald Coast Flowers and Gifts will brought “Christmas Elegance” to the dining room.

Members of the Pt. Washington Historical Society “Festive Feathered Friends gather for Tea” in the library.

edenxmas2016_22Going up the stairway  the upstairs sun porch is “A Victorian Christmas” by the Seagrove Garden Club.

Lynda Smith, Park Specialist, decorated the blue bedroom with “A Woodland Christmas.”

Across the hall, in the Pink Bedroom, Tara Stacey has created “A Child’s Christmas Dream.”

Moving on down the hallway (A Christmas Carol), is the children’s bedroom by the youngest members of our decorating team – the children of South Walton Montessori Academy with the  theme of “A Children’s Christmas.”

And finally to the red bedroom, Nicole Paloma and Rachel Nussbaum with their light and airy creations.

Members of Pt. Washington Historical Society will once more set up all the luminaries – the supplies for the luminaries are made possible thru the generous support of Red Bar’s Ollie & Louie Petit, Bud & Alley’s Dave Rauschkolb, and Cafe Thirty-A’s Harriet Crommelin.

Carolers will be present on the porch, and the Friends of Eden will be serving refreshments in the Pavilion.

This yearly event is sponsored by Florida Park Services and the Friends of Eden – donations to the Friends will be appreciated.

About Eden Gardens State Park
One of the most beautiful parks in Walton County sits along Tucker Bayou in Point Washington in South Walton. Large moss covered live oaks, gardens, walking trails and panoramic views of the bayou provide a visual delight for the visitor to this dynamic and historic State Park.

The focal point of the park is the two-story Wesley house with large white columns and wrap-around porch. Originally owned by the Wesley’s a wealthy Florida timber family, the mansion was purchased in 1963 by Lois Maxon who renovated the home, and created a showplace for family heirlooms and antiques. The collection of Louis XVI furniture is the second largest in the United States. The house is now owned by the State of Florida, and is the centerpiece of the park.

Hours of Operation
The park is open 7 days a week. Guided tours of the Wesley house are available hourly Thursday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (including holidays)

Directions
Eden Gardens State Park is located in Point Washington, off U.S. 98 on C.R. 395.
For more information, call (850) 267-8320.
181 Eden Garden Road, Point Washington, Fl. 32459

The parks website is http://www.floridastateparks.org/edengardens
Park Fees
$4.00 per vehicle
$2.00 for Bikes and Peds
$4.00 per adult house tour, children free