Eden State Gardens - Relive History

Thanksgiving week is here and we couldn't be more excited. This is one of our favorite times of year and we'll be sharing some the best South Walton and Destin holiday traditions and happenings over the next month.

Today, we're focusing on Eden State Gardens and historic Westley Mansion. If you've never made a stop at Eden State Gardens during your trip to Destin, the holidays are a great time to do it. The focal point of this 161-acre park is the beautifully renovated, 110-year old Wesley house, which was built at the turn of the century for the Westley family and their timber operation. With its elegant white columns and wrap-around porch, the home nestled among massive, moss-draped live oak trees and holds the second largest known collection of Louis XVI furniture in the U.S.

During the holidays, each the mansion is decorated in holiday splendor. A ritual started in 1978 by Ollie Sue Butler of Point Washington. Eleven different cultural groups and individuals took a room or hallway to create the holiday masterpiece. The Walton Sun recently highlighted the creativity of each organization in their recent article, "A festive facelift: Eden mansion becomes a paradise for the holidays."

Christmas candlelight tours of the decorated mansion officially begin Dec. 15. For more information on the Westley Mansion and
holiday tours, visit Friends of Eden.

Published by Tracy Louthain
Monday, November 19, 2012