Wesley House lights up for the holidays

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. 14, from 5:30 – 8:30 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 and be greeted by Civil War reenactors in period garb. After the tour is completed, the Friends of Eden will be providing refreshments in the pavilion and the reenactors will welcome you to the small encampment on the North lawn of the house beyond the Reflecting Pool. 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.
 Contact: (850) 267-8320. ::MAP::

South Walton Montessori Academy, Heritage Center of Freeport, Nest 30A, and Furry Fanatics are new comers to the decorating efforts this year.

The youngest group, South Walton Montessori Academy students, decorated the children’s bedroom. The children hand made all of the decorations themselves.

Heritage Center of Freeport decorated the upstairs and downstairs hallways and the staircase. The group’s theme, led by Tim Ard, is “Let it snow, let it snow!”

Nest 30A decorated the blue bedroom with the theme of “Birdie’s First Christmas.”

Furry Fanatics decorated the downstairs back porch with a theme of happy dogs.

“All is Calm, All is Bright” is the theme of the upstairs back porch and by Karen Kolenberg, owner of The Custom House.

Birchberry Natural Home Spa decorated the pink bedroom. The theme is “ A Child’s Christmas Dream.”

The Point Washington United Methodist Women are decorated the dining room again this year with the theme “ A Victorian Christmas Tea in the Library.”

Tim Ryan of Botaniq Floral Studios decorated the red bedroom with the theme “Naturally Red.”

Green Thumb Garden Club of Santa Rosa Beach decorated the parlor with the theme “Christmas on the Coast.”

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