08/01/2025
I am proud to announce that we have finally installed a re-creation of the original chandelier that once hung in the Grand Ponce de Leon Hotel, modernly known as Flagler College. The chandelier was redesigned to meet modern specifications, without compromising the timeless elegance of the original.
This chandelier has 24 hand sculpted castings, that were designed on paper, sculpted from modeling clay, turned into silicone molds, then a plastic impressionable version of the designs were carefully packed into sand casting molds, and were filled with a
custom composition of molten bronze.
The chandelier was redesigned, crafted, and forged by myself and a team of expert craftsman from right here in Saint Augustine. This has been the culmination of over a year of planning, designing, producing, and installing.
The chandelier has a 12 foot wide top ring and a 6 foot wide lower ring, and is nearly 18 feet tall!
The original chandelier once hung inside the ballroom from 1888-1893. It hasn’t been seen it’s removal. From only a few available photographs and a single painting, we were able to diligently bring the piece back into the present.
Today no one knows who made the original chandelier, nor do they know its whereabouts.
This chandelier was originally powered by Thomas Edison’s 12V electrical components fueled by Florida’s first coal power plant built here in St. Augustine.
The Grand Ponce de Leon Hotel had electricity five years before the White House did!
It’s possible that Henry Flagler
did not like this chandelier originally and had it discarded when they decided to outfit the building with modern alternating current.
This was done in 1893, along with the plaster lions that replaced the chandelier in what was
originally, the ballroom of the hotel.
I would like to personally thank every person who helped make this a reality, starting with the late and great Tom Rahner.
Tom spent a several years advocating for the re-creation of this historical chandelier. He passed away in December 2024 and did not get to see the years of his advocacy or ideas for the project fulfilled. However, I am confident we made him proud, as he was a man of detail, and this project was crafted with nothing short of precision.
If you would like to see the Tom Rahner Chandelier, you can visit Flagler College and take the Legacy Tour, which shows you this magnificent building and this beautiful chandelier.
I would also like to thank:drysdale and - For all the support
- For all of the great work and supporthayes.353 - For the friendship and help installing
- For the opportunity to contribute my work
, Polaris Marine Electrical, and Evan May for the extensive electrical support
- For helping make sculpting a pleasure and for the samples
Aladdin Light Lift Inc - For the chandelier lift guidance
-For being super communicative and helpful in making this project happen
- For mentorship and finish advice
- For the mentorship and consulting
- For all the footage and friendship
Alex Crowson @ Abode Woodwork - For the laser leveled installation jig!
Kevin Wilson @ Wilson Machine & Welding Works for the cuts
My beautiful wife for being patient with me and giving the ultimate level of support (She had our first son, John Blaise Morrell, April 27th during all of this!)
And everyone else who believed in my vision, and gave me this once in a lifetime opportunity to showcase my passions.
Stay tuned for footage of this in depth project by following on Instagram.
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