West Volusia Historical Society

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West Volusia Historical Society Mission: To preserve and promote the history of West Volusia County.

Join us for our next Local History Talk: D Ranch Preserve to learn about the land and its history!
10/15/2026

Join us for our next Local History Talk: D Ranch Preserve to learn about the land and its history!

✨ What a Golden Night! ✨With deep gratitude, the West Volusia Historical Society thanks our Golden Hour Gala sponsors, a...
10/15/2026

✨ What a Golden Night! ✨

With deep gratitude, the West Volusia Historical Society thanks our Golden Hour Gala sponsors, auction donors, volunteers, and guests for their generosity. Your unwavering support helps us preserve and share the stories that shaped West Volusia, reminding us of history’s power to enlighten, unite, and inspire.

💛 Thank you for making our fundraising gala a huge success! We look forward to celebrating with you again next year!

📸 Special thanks to WVHS member Susie Macon for capturing the evening!

𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐊 𝐈𝐍 𝐖𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐕𝐎𝐋𝐔𝐒𝐈𝐀 𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 – 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟗-𝟏𝟓𝟏𝟗𝟒𝟐 By 1942, Volusia County was doing whatever it could to support our ...
10/09/2026

𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐊 𝐈𝐍 𝐖𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐕𝐎𝐋𝐔𝐒𝐈𝐀 𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 – 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟗-𝟏𝟓

𝟏𝟗𝟒𝟐 By 1942, Volusia County was doing whatever it could to support our country’s effort to win World War II. On Wednesday, October 14, THE DELAND SUN NEWS announced a half-holiday the next day to gather scrap. All businesses would close to help schoolchildren bring their two-week scrap campaign to a successful conclusion.

The junior high school, senior high school, Boston Ave. School, Wisconsin Ave. School and Euclid High School had already collected over 191,000 pounds of scrap metal. Persons having scrap should place it where it can be picked up. DeLand must gather about 250,000 pounds to reach the city’s quota of 190 pounds per home.

Source: THE DELAND SUN NEWS, October 14, 1942. The 1942 photo of a school salvage drive is from the Dreggors Collection of WVHS Photo Archives.

✨The countdown is on for The Golden Hour Gala, and our silent auction is overflowing with fabulous finds! ✨🇮🇳 India Deli...
10/08/2026

✨The countdown is on for The Golden Hour Gala, and our silent auction is overflowing with fabulous finds! ✨

🇮🇳 India Delight – A flavorful journey inspired by India
🥂 Cheers to the New Year – Get ready to pop the bubbly in 2027
🍷 W**e Down Time – Sip, savor, and unwind

With 25+ incredible baskets filled with gifts, local treasures, and unforgettable experiences, there's something for everyone.

✨Don't let FOMO get you! Join us Saturday, October 10, at Northwest Square in DeLand for an evening of fun, fundraising, and amazing auction finds, all in support of the West Volusia Historical Society.

🎟️ Last call! Get your tickets today and come ready to bid!

👉 https://wvhsgala.com

Tickets are on sale for the West Volusia Historical Society’s 2026 The Golden Hour Gala!Last year SOLD OUT, so don’t wai...
10/07/2026

Tickets are on sale for the West Volusia Historical Society’s 2026 The Golden Hour Gala!

Last year SOLD OUT, so don’t wait to secure your spot. Join us for The Golden Hour, an unforgettable evening celebrating our community while supporting the preservation of West Volusia’s history.

Tickets are $100 per person.

Get yours before they’re gone here:

https://wvhsgala.com/

Henry A. DeLand is widely known as the founder of DeLand, Florida, and his daughter, Helen Parce DeLand wrote an often-q...
10/07/2026

Henry A. DeLand is widely known as the founder of DeLand, Florida, and his daughter, Helen Parce DeLand wrote an often-quoted book relating the origins of DeLand and Lake Helen. However, there was another DeLand who witnessed the beginnings of the Athens of Florida – Harlan Page DeLand.

Harlan DeLand was born in Fairport, New York, in 1866 and lived there for sixteen years, attending Fairport Classical Union School, before transferring to DeLand Academy (now Stetson University). He was the first graduate of that institution in 1886 and became president of the alumni association. He later attended the University of Rochester but could not finish because of poor health.

When Henry DeLand established the town of Lake Helen, he built a widely popular hotel and named it for his son – The Harlan-in-the-Pines Hotel. Wealthy people travelled long distances to stay and recreate at this large hotel, enjoying numerous activities as well as the Florida weather and lovely scenery. The hotel opened Thanksgiving night, 1884 and burned down Halloween night, 1922.

Harlan married Anna Louise Eastman in 1890, and they had two surviving children: Dorothy Eastman DeLand (1893-1968) and Harlan Page DeLand, Jr. (1897-1989). The younger Harlan was a visitor to DeLand and Lake Helen and accompanied his grandfather onstage when he was honored.

Unfortunately, Harlan suffered from tuberculosis which made him weak and he sought health treatments in Florida and in the Adirondacks. He was able to partially restore his health.

After the 1894-1895 freezes that devastated the orange groves, Henry DeLand moved to Fairport, New York to return to business and refund the growers he had guaranteed. Harlan worked for his father at the Monroe County Chemical Company as secretary and treasurer and became a successful traveling salesman. It was noted in his obituary that he was known for excellent business judgement and the ability to encourage trust in his customers.

Harlan passed away from consumption in Saranac Lake, New York, at the age of 37. His father and sister were with him, as were his wife and children. He was buried in the DeLand family plot in Fairport, New York.

Sources: DeLand, Helen Parce. Story of DeLand and Lake Helen, Florida. Louis H. Walden, 1928. “Harlan DeLand”. The Rochester Herald, May 28, 1903, page 13. (obituary. Ryder, K. Better Country Beyond. West Volusia Historical Society, 2019.

✨ Something for everyone at The Golden Hour Gala! ✨Our silent auction features 25+ beautiful baskets filled with incredi...
10/06/2026

✨ Something for everyone at The Golden Hour Gala! ✨

Our silent auction features 25+ beautiful baskets filled with incredible items and dazzling experiences, from “Fun in the Sun” and “Soup for Two” to “Some Enchanted Evening,” “Outdoor Adventure,” and more!

🇮🇳 Basket Spotlight: India Delight
Take your taste buds on a journey! This colorful basket includes a $25 Parvathy's Kitchen gift certificate, Black Mango Chai Tea, assorted Indian spices, cloth napkins, and a beautiful wooden bowl made in India.

🎟️ Come ready to bid! Get your Gala tickets today:
wvhsgala.com

Thank you to the Barnett Family for sponsoring The Golden Hour.✨
10/05/2026

Thank you to the Barnett Family for sponsoring The Golden Hour.✨

Thank you to The Michigan House for sponsoring The Golden Hour. ✨
10/05/2026

Thank you to The Michigan House for sponsoring The Golden Hour. ✨

✨ The Golden Hour Gala is almost here! ✨Join the West Volusia Historical Society on Saturday, October 10, at Northwest S...
10/05/2026

✨ The Golden Hour Gala is almost here! ✨

Join the West Volusia Historical Society on Saturday, October 10, at Northwest Square for an unforgettable evening celebrating history, community, and preservation.

And what a fitting setting! Northwest Square began as Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, built in 1926, and today is a wonderful example of historic preservation and adaptive reuse, with its original stained glass, brickwork, and other historic details preserved for a new generation.

🎩 Be amazed by illusionist Steve Nelson and his up-close magic.

🎁 Bid on 25+ silent auction baskets packed with dining, art, adventures, experiences, and more. delandhouse.com/gala_2026_silent_auction

🥂 Enjoy an elegant evening in a historic setting, all while helping WVHS preserve the people, places, and stories of West Volusia.

🎟️ Don’t miss it! Get your tickets today:
wvhsgala.com

Address

137 W Michigan Avenue
Deland, FL
32720

Opening Hours

Tuesday 12pm - 4pm
Wednesday 12pm - 4pm
Thursday 12pm - 4pm
Friday 12pm - 4pm
Saturday 12pm - 4pm

Telephone

+13867406813

Website

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