Just a few miles south of downtown Mount Dora, one of Central Florida’s most remarkable historic homes is open for tours.

Sydonie Mansion currently offers guided historic tours every Thursday and Saturday from 10–11:30 a.m., giving visitors the chance to step inside a 42-room, 22,000-square-foot mansion whose history stretches back to the 1880s. Tours are reservation-only, with tickets priced at $25 for adults, $10 for children ages 5–12 and free for children under 5.

If you have ever wondered what is behind the gates on Sydonie Drive, this is your opportunity to find out.

A Gilded Age Estate in Central Florida

Sydonie was originally built as a winter retreat for James Laughlin, whose family was behind Pittsburgh’s Jones & Laughlin Steel, and his wife, Sydney Page Laughlin.

The property traces its beginnings to 1883, with a major redesign beginning in 1903 under nationally known architect Grosvenor Atterbury. Inspired by the Alhambra in Spain, the mansion combines Mediterranean Revival architecture with Asian influences and remains the only example of Atterbury’s work in Florida.

And this was much more than a large house.

Sydonie once stood within an enormous working estate with sculpted gardens filled with rare plants from around the world, citrus groves, a dairy farm, power plant and even a bowling alley. The mansion itself grew to 42 rooms and more than 22,000 square feet.

According to Sydonie’s history, maintaining the estate once required 49 gardeners in addition to maids, butlers, carpenters and other staff.

More Than 140 Years Behind These Doors

The guided tour covers more than the mansion’s Gilded Age beginnings.

After the Laughlin era, Sydonie entered a completely different chapter when it became part of Hampden DuBose Academy. From 1942 to 1980, the mansion was known as Ewell Hall and served as a boarding house for girls attending the school.

Among its residents were Billy Graham’s daughters, and Graham visited the property numerous times. During World War II, Sydonie’s roof was also used as a landmark to help guide aircraft.

By the late 20th century, the mansion needed substantial restoration. Dick and Carla Durante purchased Sydonie in 1997 and began restoring its 42 rooms one at a time. Clark and Amy Frogley purchased the property in 2014 and continued the effort to preserve Sydonie and make it accessible to the public.

Today, that work means visitors can actually walk through a property that spent most of its history as a private estate, school and residence.

Take the Tour

Sydonie’s guided historic tour focuses on the mansion’s history and one-of-a-kind architecture, taking visitors through the property while sharing the stories behind the people and periods that shaped it.

The current booking calendar lists tours Thursdays and Saturdays from 10–11:30 a.m. New tour times may also be added, so visitors should check Sydonie’s booking calendar for current availability.

Tour groups are limited to 20 people per group, and reservations must normally be made at least 24 hours in advance. Sydonie recommends arriving 10 minutes early and allowing between 90 minutes and two hours for the overall visit.

A few things to know before you go:

Adults: $25
Children ages 5–12: $10
Children under 5: Free
Current schedule: Thursdays & Saturdays, 10–11:30 a.m.
Location: 5538 Sydonie Drive, Mount Dora, FL 32757
Reservations: Required at least 24 hours in advance

The tour includes walking and stairs. The first floor is accessible, while stairs are required to reach floors two, three and B1. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Interior photos and videos are not permitted, although visitors are welcome to take photos outside.

View upcoming tour dates and reserve your Sydonie Mansion tour.

For a Mount Dora visit that goes beyond downtown, Sydonie offers something genuinely different: the chance to walk inside a Gilded Age mansion and experience more than a century of local history for yourself.