The Casements is a building in Ormond Beach, Florida, U.S. constructed in 1910 by the Reverend Harwood Huntington, husband of a Pullman heiress. It was named for the many casement windows adorning the building.

[edit]The Rockefeller Era

Its most famous resident, John D. Rockefeller, purchased the home as his winter residence in 1918. Rockefeller was seventy-eight years old when he moved into the Casements. He became known in the area for his elaborate Christmas parties, his love of golf, and for handing out dimes to his neighbors or visitors. During a golf game with Harvey Firestone, the tire magnate made such a good shot that Rockefeller decided he deserved a dime and handed one to his somewhat embarrassed guest.

Over the years, Rockerfeller was visited at The Casements by such luminaries as The Prince of Wales, Henry Ford, and Will Rogers, who once quipped, "I’m glad you won (at golf) today, Mr. Rockefeller. The last time you lost the price of gasoline went up!"^[2]

Guests at The Casements received a poem along with their new dime. This poem is believed to have been written by Rockefeller:

I was early taught to work as well as play; My life has been one long, happy holiday--Full of work and full of play--I dropped the worry on the way, And God was good to me every day.^[3]

It was in this home that Rockefeller eventually died in his sleep on the morning of May 23, 1937.^[4] The Rockefeller family sold The Casements in 1939.

[edit]Later History

Over the next 20 years, it would serve as a girls preparatory school and a home for the elderly. In 1959 the property was purchased by the Ormond Hotel Corporation with plans for development, but those plans never materialized. In 1972, The Casements was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The next year, it was purchased by the City of Ormond Beach, which eventually restored it to serve as a cultural and community center.

During 2009 The Casements is undergoing a a $1.1 million renovation project.^[5]

[edit]The Gardens

The Casements gardens are an authentic restoration of a two-acre garden along the Halifax riverfront that belonged to John D. Rockefeller Sr. in the early 1900s. The gardens feature citrus trees, a grand promenade, streams and small bridges and a variety of seasonal flower displays during the year.^[6]

[edit]References

[edit]External links

• Volusia County listings at Florida's Office of Cultural and Historical Programs

• The Casements

• Ormond Beach Historical Trust

• The Casements - Cultural activities