The Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse Preservation Association is pleased to announce the official acquisition of the historic Pacetti Hotel on October 4, 2019. The Association’s Board of Trustees views the purchase of the hotel which is located directly across from the light station on South Peninsula Drive as a rare once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to not only save one of Volusia County’s most endangered cultural sites but significantly enhance the museum’s ability to interpret the history of the Ponce Inlet Light Station and local community in more meaningful detail.
The weeks following the official acquisition of the Pacetti Hotel were very busy as administrative staff began assessing the 3.5 acre site, consulting with engineers and architects, and researching the hotel’s 138-year history. Maintenance employees cleaned the hotel’s interior, cut back overgrown shrubs and trees, and cleared the historic grounds of debris. An initial prioritized order of work was also developed to begin addressing the property’s most critical needs.
Although much has been done in very little time, a great deal of work needs to be completed before the Association can focus its efforts on the restoration of the hotel and other secondary structures. The most pressing of these time-sensitive issues is the restoration of the eroded shoreline and stabilization of the historic seawall which sustained significant damage during the 2017 and 2018 hurricane seasons. Additional items to be addressed include the hotel’s old HVAC system, damaged roofs, interior and exterior restoration, and more.
Few buildings in Volusia County have a history that can match that of the Pacetti Hotel. Now that the Association has endeavored to restore the building to its former glory, we are seeking support from anyone interested in preserving our local history. Those who would like to be a part of this important restoration can do so in a variety of ways. Financial donations are always appreciated, as are donations of in-kind services and any period appropriate artifacts. If you have any object or document that may have originated from or relates to the Pacetti Hotel in any way, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We are also always on the search for photographs of the hotel, stories from those who may have visited, and any general information that might help us better interpret this historic structure.
Please contact Executive Director Ed Gunn by email at edgunn@ponceinlet.org or phone at (386) 761-1821, ext. 15 to learn more about how you can support the Preservation Association’s efforts to restore and interpret this important piece of Florida history for this and future generations to enjoy.
