Holiday spirit brings good cheer to Wesley house

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 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. 20, 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. After the tour, 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.  Admission fees to the park and the event are waived.
 Contact: (850) 267-8320. ::MAP::

Several organizations and groups decorated the rooms of the Wesley House with a specific theme.

Sunporch:  ValleyCrest Landscape Maintenance. Their room will be appropriately themed as a “Wooded Wonderland” bringing elements of the beautiful nature that surrounds us.

Dining Room: The Church Support Circle of Point Washington United Methodist Church ladies “Dreaming of a White Christmas” of elegant dining at Eden.

Library:  The Historic Point Washington Association have enjoyed decorating at the Wesley Mansion for the last 7 years.  This year’s theme is “ A Victorian Christmas Tea in the Library.”

Parlor:  Green Thumb Garden Club’s theme this year is “A Garden Party Christmas.”
Downstairs Entry and Stairway:  The Heritage Center of Freeport – “Candy Cane Lane”  is this year’s festive theme to greet you when you come into the Wesley House.

Upstairs Landing:  Path of Grace has the theme of “Candy Land.”

The Upstairs Sitting Room:  “Frozen in Time” is this year’s theme for the blue sitting room, making beautiful use of the blue, crystals and an icy theme from the Durbin family and friends.

Details of one of the decorated trees. Lori Ceier/Walton Outdoors

Blue Bedroom: Ali Weil of Nest30A provided a “Twas the Night Before Christmas at the Wesleys”  theme.

The Children’s Bedroom: South Walton Montessori Academy theme is “A Children’s Victorian Christmas.” All decorations are hand made by the lower elementary students aged 6 to 9.

Red Bedroom:  Beth Barron of Designer for a Day pays homage to her Mississippi roots with “Magnolias and Pearls.”

Pink Bedroom: Birchberry  Natural Home Spa’s theme – “A Child’s Christmas Dream.”

The Friends of Eden decorate the outside of the Wesley house and also the inside and outside of the Pavilion. Jim Foley and his “Merry Men and Women” will be placing the illuminations again this year for the Candlelight Open House on December 20th from 5 – 9 p.m.

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