SUMMERTIME OUTING TO SYDONI MANSION
Hi everyone. Summer temperatures are unbelievable.I know you don’t want to be out in the scorching heat, so I’ve arranged a tour of beautiful Sydoni Mansion in Mount Dora for your airconditioned pleasure. Address: 5538 Sydonie Drive, Mount Dora, FL 32757. According to Google, it is a 30 mile, 50minute drive from Rohan Rec center to the Mansion.
Established in 1883 and remodeled by famous architect Grosvenor Atterbury in 1903, Sydonie was once said to be the most significant residential structure in all of Florida. With a total of 42 rooms and over 22 thousand square feet, Sydonie reflects an era of craftsmanship and unique architecture difficult to find in modern homes. It was originally built as the winter retreat for James Laughlin, who was the owner of J&L Steel in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Sydonie was built in the Mediterranean Revival and Asian styles, and primarily designed after Alhambra Castle in Spain. Once a 9000-acre preserve, Sydonie's grounds originally included sculptured gardens with rare plants from around the world, citrus groves, a dairy farm, a power plant, and even a bowling alley.
We have planned our tour for Wednesday, July 29 at 11 am. Ticket prices are $25 Admission + $2.28 Booking Fee + $1.77 Sales Tax = $29.05.
• Please arrive 10 minutes prior to our scheduled tour time or earlier if you’d like to wander through the courtyard overflowing with flowers and greenery, a vibrant oasis that feels like stepping into a secret garden.
• The tours take approximately 75 minutes. After the tour we will leave the Mansion and drive for approximately 25 minutes the 13 miles to the Fish Camp restaurant, 901 Lake Shore Boulevard, Tavares, for lunch at 1:30 p.m.
Will the tour require a lot of walking? What if I'm disabled or handicapped?
• As it is a walking tour, there will be some walking as well as stairs, but seating is available in most rooms for you to rest if needed.
• Please arrive in comfortable walking shoes.
• The first floor is handicap accessible, but stairs are required for floors 2, 3 and B1. Anyone unable to climb stairs is welcome to sit inside or outside and enjoy the beautiful scenery and architecture.
• There is a 2-minute walk from the parking lot to front porch where the tour begins, but there is a separate entrance for handicapped individuals.
TO REGISTER
Please go to the club website and click on the calendar of events to register. From there you will be directed to a special link which will allow you to register directly with Sydoni. Please register no later than Monday, July 20, 2026.
After the tour we will go directly to the Fish Camp Restaurant, 901Lake Shore Boulevard, Tavares, for lunch.
Due to the distance needed to travel to all these locations, you do not necessarily need to bring your British beauty. Just your everyday driver will do.
Please make your way to the mansion individually and we will all meet at the front door ten minutes before our tour is to begin. If you would like to go, but need a ride, please contact Marge at 703-201-7977, or tassygirl@verizon.net no later than July 6 and the club will try to arrange some carpools leaving from Rohan Rec Center at approximately 9:30 a.m., if enough people are interested.
We hope to see you at this fun event. Looking forward to a great, fun day together
Marge