The Governor Stone finds New Home
Destin, FL -Two-masted schooners were primarily used for the transport of cargo from one Atlantic coast port to another from the early 19th Century to around the outbreak of World War II. The use of these schooners for "coasting," as it was known, was so common that nobody paid much attention to them. They were designed to run close to shore and lacked the "fishing schooner's" ability to ride out a gale offshore on the fishing grounds. Deepwater sailors scorned the useful and ubiquitous little coasters, sometimes accusing their skippers of "setting their course by the bark of a dog!"
Though thousands of schooners were built and employed in the busy and nationally important Gulf fishing and general freight trades, only one survives to this day - The Governor Stone. Governor Stone is the sole known survivor afloat of the indigenous sailing schooners of the American South. After more than a century in service, a $230,000 renovation was successfully completed before the Governor Stone returned to sea as a museum-operated historical vessel, carrying passengers on charters and sail training cruises along the Gulf Coast.
Governor Stone is the sole known survivor afloat of the
indigenous sailing schooners of the American South.
The historic schooner Governor Stone, has more recently found a new home at Eden State Gardens. South Walton County took possession of the vessel in April of 2003 and sent her immediately into dry dock for painting and maintenance. When completed the National Historic Landmark will be put to work once more as an educational tool and tourist attraction. After the Apalachicola Maritime Museum was no longer able to afford the upkeep of the Governor Stone, Eden State Gardens was competing with Tampa and Pensacola for possession of the historic vessel. The major requirement from the state was that "she" always be with a not-for-profit organization and be used for educational purposes.
The gardens were once the home of the William Henry Wesley family and are now a place of tranquility and contemplation. Yet, nearly 100 years ago, a visit to Eden State Gardens would have vibrated with the whir of mechanical and human energy. The site was the hub of the Wesley Lumber Company, one of the many businesses involved in timbering the forests of the Florida Gulf coast from the 1890s until after World War II. Company holdings included a sawmill, planer mill and dry kiln. In 1953, when the last of the Wesley generations died, their home and land were sold. Ten years later, it was on the market again; and Lois Maxon fell in love with it and purchased it. Lois Maxon developed the Wesley house as a showplace for her collection of family heirlooms and antiques. In 1968, Miss Maxon donated Eden to the state of Florida in memory of her parents.
Moss-draped live oaks, which predate the Wesley Company, dominate the lawns. Camellias and azaleas offer colorful accents to the scene from October through May, reaching their peak around mid- March. The grounds, gardens and picnic area are open daily from 8 a.m. until sundown and the house is open for hourly guided tours from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Thursday through Monday. The "Friends of Eden" plan to hold public meetings to help determine the best use for the Governor Stone as the region has never had anything like it before. Anyone can join the Friends of Eden for the Governor Stone belongs to everyone!
Eden State Gardens is located in Point Washington, off U.S. 98 on C.R. 395.
For more information, contact:
Eden State Gardens
P.O. Box 26
Point Washington, Florida 32454
(850) 231-4214 
