History of the House and The Guild
Located on the eastern bank of the Halifax River, Built in 1913 as a winter home for a clergyman and his wife. John D. Rockefeller purchased it in 1918 and lived in the house during the winters until his death in 1937 at the age of ninety-seven. While a resident of Ormond Beach, "Neighbor John," as he preferred to be called, enjoyed taking part in community activities: playing golf, participating in the sing-along at the Ormond Hotel each Sunday, and entertaining friends such as Thomas Edison, Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone. A big event each year was the Christmas party he hosted for friends, a tradition carried on to this day by The Casements Guild.

In November 2000, the State of Florida named John D. Rockefeller a "Great Floridian" in recognition of his contributions to the history of Florida.

Subsequently, the building has had a number of functions, serving as the Fairmont-Casements School and Junior College, a rest home for a religious organization and an annex for the old Ormond Hotel which was located across the street.

It was unoccupied for many years and deteriorated until it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. The property was purchased by the City of Ormond Beach in 1974 for $500,000. Restoration, with the aid of a grant of $449,000, was completed in October 1979. The building continues to be a focal point of the Ormond Beach community. The Casements is a multiple use facility offering classes, workshops, rentals and special events.

The Casements Guild was formed in 1979; its members serve as docents, guiding visitors through the house - describing its historical past and current uses by the city and the community. While the City of Ormond Beach owns and maintains The Casements, the Guild enriches the building with artifacts and enhancements.

J.D. Rockefeller
J.D. Rockefeller
Christmas Party at the Casements circa 1930
Christmas Party at the Casements circa 1930

Mr. Rockefeller and his Butler
Mr. Rockefeller and his Butler
JDR with Will Rodgers
JDR with Will Rodgers
JDR and his Caddy Walter Wolfe
JDR and his Caddy Walter Wolfe

Casements Fairmont Preparatory School Living Room
Fairmont-Casements School and
Junior College Living Room
Maude Van Woy
Maud Von Woy
Headmistress of The Fairmont-Casements
School and Junior College
Damaged House in the 1970's
Damaged House in the 1970's


Damaged Kitchen in the 1970's
Damaged Kitchen in the 1970's
The Atrium
The Atrium
Stained Glass Over The Atrium
Stained Glass Over The Atrium
The Kitchen
The Kitchen

Casements 100 Years

Copyright © 2017 The Casements   |  25 Riverside Drive, Ormond Beach, Florida 32176  |  TheCasements@OrmondBeach.org
phone: 386-676-3216  |  fax:386-676-3363

Seal - City of Ormond Beach, Florida

Photos contributed by Merrill Shrader, Jack Halsey, and the Rockefeller Archives.

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