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Nov 27
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Experience Holiday Magic At Bonnet House

By Bonnet House Blog No Comments

Here at Bonnet House, we know that there is nothing better than enjoying the holiday season with those near and dear to your heart. Whether your holiday season is spent relaxed by the fire, or booked and busy, all that really matters is the joy in connection and togetherness that this special season brings. This December, Bonnet House is excited to offer a variety of unique and festive opportunities to spend time with family, and spread holiday cheer.

This year, Bonnet House is bringing three exciting nights of Holiday Magic to Fort Lauderdale on December 11th, 12th and 13th. Each evening, Bonnet House will be open for self guided tours, live music, and libations! These three fun evenings will give guests the opportunity to experience Bonnet House while it is lit up and sparkling with stunning holiday decor. All the trees, wreaths, and centerpieces throughout the house will be available for purchase, with 100% of the proceeds going to the preservation of the Bonnet House estate. To help us ring in the holiday season, we have invited some of Fort Lauderdale’s premier performers to provide fabulous entertainment each evening.

To purchase tickets to any or all of these evening events, click here.

● Wednesday, December 11, 2024 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM: Join Davis & Dow Jazz Duo on the beautiful Bonnet House Veranda for two Holiday performances with Gray Whale Gin and Fever Tree Tonic cocktails.
● Thursday, December 12, 2024 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM: Enjoy a live performance by the Fusion Band on the Veranda and stroll through the magically transformed House and Courtyard while sipping a glass of bubbly.
● Friday, December 13, 2024 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM: Experience David Morin, the Man of Many Voices, on the beautiful Bonnet House Veranda while sipping a classically mixed Redemption Old Fashioned.

For those interested in a more creative opportunity, we welcome you to attend one of our Holiday Arrangement Class on December 11th and 12th from 5:00 – 6:00 PM. This fun class will give participants the opportunity to create a beautiful holiday floral arrangement. These classes will be hosted by Event Bliss and will take place on our gorgeous outdoor veranda. Tickets are $75 per person, and include the evening experience along with two drink tickets. To purchase tickets, click here.

The holidays are always better when we can all celebrate together. We hope that you and your loved ones will join us for our Holiday Magic Evening Experiences. To learn more about these events and to plan your next trip, click here.

Nov 27
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Celebrate GivingTuesday At Bonnet House

By Bonnet House Blog No Comments

It’s no secret that the holiday season can be stressful. Sometimes it can be easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season; what is supposed to be a time of joy and reflection can often turn into a season of stress and anxiety. For this reason, we wanted to take some time to remind our community of the reason for the season, and the importance of setting intentions before schedules get packed. This holiday season, we encourage you to take some time to focus your energy on kindness, generosity, and showing your appreciation for the individuals and institutions that make our lives so rich.

On Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024, we have the opportunity to do just that via GivingTuesday , a global movement intended to inspire individuals to give, collaborate, and celebrate the spirit of generosity. The idea is simple and the focus is solely on doing good in any way that you can. Whether it’s making someone smile, helping a neighbor, showing up for an issue you care about, or donating to an important cause, every act of generosity counts and everyone has something to contribute toward building the world we all want to live in.

This GivingTuesday, we encourage you to take the opportunity to set your giving intentions over the next few weeks. As you shop for gifts, consider how your purchasing power can support your community or causes you care about. As you spend time with loved ones, don’t forget to also reflect on how you can volunteer your time for those in need.

Bonnet House Museum & Gardens has been a pillar of the Fort Lauderdale community for over a century. Our dedicated staff and volunteers work hard to ensure that our extraordinary blend of art, architecture, history and ecology are accessible to both our local community, and visitors from around the world. Our hard working team exemplifies the spirit of GivingTuesday each and every day as they work tirelessly to preserve the legacy of Frederic and Evelyn Bartlett.

There are a variety of ways in which you can support Bonnet House and our efforts to preserve the estate for future generations. Take a look at a few ideas, here:

● Visit Our Estate (and bring your friends!)
● Become a Member
● Make a Donation
● Apply to Volunteer

This GivingTuesday, we hope that you make a plan to do some good in your community. To learn more about the Bonnet House estate and how you can support us on GivingTuesday, click here.

Oct 29
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5 Nights Of Holiday Magic Coming To Bonnet House

By Bonnet House Blog No Comments

It may be hard to believe, but the holiday season is right around the corner! With all of the shopping, baking, decorating, cleaning, and endless list of to-dos, it can be easy to get lost in the shuffle and forget to celebrate such a special time of year. As we grow up, we sometimes need a little help to remember that there really is magic in the holiday season, and it’s important to take time to experience that special feeling of wonder and joy that comes with the holiday season.

Here at Bonnet House, we invite guests to celebrate 5 Nights Of Holiday Magic as our estate is transformed from a tropical paradise to a whimsical wonderland! See the Main House and grounds lit up and sparkling during this festive celebration. The magic kicks off on Friday, December 6th with our annual Holiday Magic Soirée, followed by Whimsical Wonderland, an evening for families on December 7th, and our Evening Experiences on December 11th, 12th & 13th with live music and libations each night.

Bonnet House will also be open for self-guided tours with exciting performances from talented artists including the Spotlight Carolers, Gin & Jazz, Elvis, and many more. Plus, don’t miss special visits from Santa Claus and the delightful characters from “POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance” with surprises from their new holiday television special.

These popular festive nights are meant to encourage individuals and families to step back into a time where one could really slow down during the holiday season and take time to experience the joys of togetherness and generosity. It is no coincidence that these events also serve as our largest fundraiser of the entire year. With the help of our fabulous team of volunteer designers, our estate will be decorated with a stunning variety of trees, wreaths, and centerpieces. These pieces will be available for purchase, and 100% of the proceeds will directly benefit the preservation of the Bonnet House estate.

We hope that you and your loved ones will be able to enjoy our estate during this special time of year. You really are never too old to experience the magic and whimsy of the holiday season. To learn more about these events, and to purchase tickets, click here.

Oct 29
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Make Memories With Family Fun Day

By Bonnet House Blog No Comments

Now that the school year is well underway, it can sometimes be hard to recreate those magical summer moments when busy schedules didn’t get in the way of important family time. Here at Bonnet House, we aim to help families create special memories together without breaking the bank. This Fall, Bonnet House will be hosting a Family Fun Day with exciting activities that will be fun and educational for all ages.

On November 16th, 2024 the admission cost to visit our estate will be $12 for adults and free for those 13 and under. Family Fun Day has something for everyone to enjoy with activities ranging from classical orchestra performances to time travel escape games. This popular event truly is the perfect opportunity to create lasting memories with your family.

]In addition to two performances by the Gulf Coast Youth Orchestra, Family Fun Day will include the following unique activities brought to you by members of our local community:

  • Sketch Like an Architect – Presented by BAM Black Architects in the Making and NOMA National Organization of Minority Architects
  • Everglades Awareness Education Games & Meet Wildlife Rangers – Presented by Arthur R. Marshall, National Wildlife Refuge Loxahatchee Preserve
  • Historical Craft Table – Presented by HISTORY Fort Lauderdale Museum
  • Meet and take Photos with Fort Lauderdale Police K9 Dogs and Mounted Horse Units – Presented by The City of Fort Lauderdale Police Department

Guests will also have the opportunity to tour the historic house museum filled with a delightful collection of art and personal treasures from the Bartlett family and explore the nature trails filled with native plants, trees, and wading birds. To enhance the experience of families curious about our estate’s history and its artwork, we have created a variety of opportunities that will help you and your family dive into Bonnet House’s past, including:

  • Meet our Bonnet House Family in their favorite locations about the House – Bonnet House Reenactors share the special stories of the Birch and Bartlett families
  • Bonnet House Artifact Treasure Hunt – Search for hidden treasures of Bonnet House
  • Historical Time Travel Escape Game – Solve riddles, ciphers, and codes to locate the route of the Barefoot Mailman
  • STEM Design-A-Dome – Build tabletop models of Bonnet House and our Shell Museum with toothpicks and gumdrops
  • Sculpture Art to introduce our Forest Forms Exhibit – Pick your favorite Forest Friend and bend pipe cleaners to recreate mini sculptures of a new exhibit debuting in January 2025

There truly is nothing like Family Fun Day at Bonnet House Museum & Gardens. Nothing warms our hearts more than seeing multiple generations celebrating, learning, and having fun together. We hope that you consider bringing your family to create core memories at Bonnet House.

Oct 08
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The Fungus Among Us

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Written by Bonnet House volunteer and nature guide, Rick McKenzie

Recently, several staff and volunteers found ourselves enjoying the colorful beauty of an abundant fruiting of Cantharellus cinnabarinus, a lovely red mushroom with a graceful vase-like shape, known colloquially as red chanterelles. We decided that a brief article about the mushrooms of Bonnet House would add another element of enjoyment to everyone’s visits.

Mushrooms are the reproductive structure of a fungus that inhabits the soil, leaves or wood.  The organism reproduces by spreading tiny, powdery spores that are released from the mushroom. The thready bodies of the fungus can be quite large, and usually remain hidden in whatever is busy decomposing. To spot them, start by walking slowly around the grounds. For those who love to bird watch, a slow pace helps you spot interesting fowl while also taking care to avoid whiplash injuries from looking up and down from sky to ground. Take time to examine the soil, scattered bunches of leaves, stumps and fallen logs. All of these may be host to colorful and interesting mushrooms!

One very interesting shelf-like mushroom that can be found at bonnet house is the artist’s fungus, Ganoderma applanatum.  This mushroom is very hard with a brown top and a white underside that turns color when touched.  Several other mushrooms turn color when broken or touched, which is exciting to see, but they lack one quality that makes this mushroom very special. While most other mushrooms remain soft, the Ganoderma applanatum does not. The color change becomes permanent when the specimen dries, so that wonderful drawings can be made, creating permanent art.

Other beautiful specimens to look for are the graceful, pure white members of the genus Amanita.  These tall mushrooms are six to eight inches in height with a skirt, or partial veil, hanging from the stem just under the cap, and another broken veil hugging the base of the stem.  These are known as “Death Angels”, famous for their deadly and irreversible toxicity.  They are, however, safe to handle in order to admire and appreciate.  On your next walk at Bonnet House, go slow and look all around – you will be pleasantly surprised!

 

 

Oct 04
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Forest Forms: Coming To Bonnet House January 2025

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While we are just kicking off our fall season at Bonnet House, we can’t help but give everyone a taste of what’s to come in 2025! To start the new year off with a bang, we couldn’t be more excited to announce our first-ever outdoor sculpture exhibit! Starting on January 11th, 2025, we will be welcoming Forest Forms in its debut to South Florida this winter!

In this unique exhibition, artist Huelani Mei brings her visions to life through impressive works that include a fox family, flowers, rabbits, a snake archway, a peacock and more. These stunning larger-than-life metal sculptures of flowers and animals will be placed throughout the winding nature trails on the vast Bonnet House estate.

These pieces are designed to depict a distinct line-work style as they tower over guests wandering through the winding trails of the estate. Visitors are encouraged to enjoy and seek inspiration from the artwork, and even take their own pictures for insta-worthy photo opportunities.

To kick off this exciting exhibit, we are hosting a Forest Forms Artist Meet & Greet with Huelani Mei and VIP Opening Reception on Sunday, January 12, 2025 from 2:00pm – 4:00pm. The VIP Reception will include light fare and cocktails catered by Hugh’s Catering. Tickets are $50 per person and can be purchased here .

Following this opening event, on Saturday, January 18th, we will be hosting a Forest Forums Food Truck Kick-Off Event that is open to the public! Guests can enjoy the new exhibit while munching on delicious local faire from a variety of popular food trucks.

There is truly always something new to look forward to at Bonnet House Museum & Gardens. We hope that you are able to join us for this fantastic VIP event and new exhibit. This unique exhibit is sure to be a highlight for individuals of all ages. To learn more about Forest Forms, and purchase tickets to our VIP event, click here .

Oct 01
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October Brings New Classes To Bonnet House

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As we ease into this new season, Bonnet House Museum & Gardens has a variety of opportunities to relax, learn something new, and reconnect with the world around you.

To kick off October, we will be starting with our popular relaxing tropical Yoga & Sound Healing on our beautiful veranda on October 4th, 2024. Guests will have the opportunity to experience the beauty and serenity of nature with an all-level Hatha Yoga Flow session accompanied by a blend of global melodies & sound healing on the Veranda of the Bonnet House Museum.  During this class, yoga poses will seamlessly blend with breathing exercises in a flow of peaceful, and rejuvenating harmony. This class will sequence together your basic yoga poses with breathing techniques in a fluid, meditative, and invigorating way. Adventurous yogis are invited to try variations of postures as they are offered. Each student is encouraged to expand boundaries and celebrate a fun and energizing flow practice while taking in the ambiance of the Bonnet House estate. To learn more and register for this class, click here.

Additionally this October, we will be offering guests an incredibly unique opportunity to learn about the art of beekeeping. It is not a secret that bees are an important key to a healthy garden, and ecosystem. The fact that their population is dwindling is a serious problem, and the reality is that most people want to do what they can to help the species. Being a responsible beekeeper is a complicated and involved process, but this class can give you a good foundation from which to start your beekeeping journey. To learn more about this class and to register, click here.

There is so much to look forward to this Fall at Bonnet House Museum & Gardens. Step back in time, reconnect with nature, and learn something new during this transitional season. To learn more about our various events, visit our event calendar.

Oct 01
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From the Collections Vault: Mizner Lanterns and their replicas

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From the Collections Vault: Mizner Lanterns and their replicas

Accession Numbers 1990.BH.206R1 & R2

This past summer we had the fantastic opportunity of being able to have replicas made of our beloved Mizner Moroccan lanterns. You could find these beauties in the Haitian Loggia section of the house’s courtyard. While not original to when the house was built, these lanterns were statement pieces, and unfortunately came to a point of deterioration where they were unable to be restored by conservators. The salty sea air, heat, and humidity took quite a toll on the tin, and it was in advanced stages of corrosion. This meant that we needed to find a solution as the lanterns could not continue to be displayed outside.

 

 

 

 

 

1920s vs. 2024

The location of the original lanterns, as you can see in the black and white 1920s photo below, is unknown

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bonnet House Archives

The Mizner replacements were bought by Evelyn Bartlett after Frederic Bartlett’s death in the early 1950s. She found them in a shop on Worth Avenue in Palm Beach and were from an estate in the area. These lanterns were made in the 1920s in Morocco or Spain and were created out of Shell Oil tin cans. During his travels in the early 20th century, famed American architect Addison Mizner bought or crafted goods in bulk to be used at his Boca Raton properties and a portion was also able to be bought by locals. He often used Spanish or Italian publications, like the one below, to create replicas of 17th century lantern styles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

From The Society of the Four Arts & Palm Beach Social Diary blog

Our new gorgeous replica lanterns were expertly hand-crafted by Marrakesh company The Moroccan Gallery and are made of more durable brass with an antique bronze finish. This restores it to what the original lanterns would have looked like before a rust prevention paint was applied. But don’t worry – the original Mizner lanterns will continue to be treasured as well. They are currently on loan to The Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum for their upcoming November-May exhibit on Addison Mizner. Give them a visit and enjoy the fantastic museum as well!

The Moroccan Gallery website: TheMoroccanGallery – Leader of Moroccan Lighting

The Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum website: History Museum in Boca Raton | Boca Raton Historical Society (bocahistory.org)

Many, many thanks to donor Don Viny for making this happen. With these replicas we are continuing to preserve Bonnet House for generations to come.

Come and see their grandeur Tuesday-Friday 11am-3pm and Saturday-Sunday 11am-4pm.

 

 

 

 

 

Sep 05
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Bonnet House 2024-2025 Season Preview

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Here at Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, we cannot believe how fast 2024 has flown by! So far, this year has been packed full of fun events, educational workshops, artistic classes, and plenty of opportunities to enjoy time with friends and family.

This year, we have proudly continued our legacy as a South Florida treasure, and opened our doors to individuals of all ages from all over the world. We couldn’t be more excited to build upon the momentum of the first half of this year as we move towards the fall and winter seasons, and into 2025! This fall, we will be taking advantage of the cooling temperatures by offering plenty of opportunities to get outside and connect with nature. From yoga to beekeeping, and from birding to painting, Bonnet House truly has something for everyone this coming autumn.

● Yoga On The Veranda: Fridays, September 6th, October 4th, and November 1st – 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
● Watercolor Workshop (6 Weeks): October 1- November 5, 2024, 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
● Birding Classes: Sundays, October 6th, November 10th, January 5th, February 2nd, and March 2nd, 2:00 – 4:30 PM
● Is Beekeeping Right For You: October 12, 10am – 12:30pm

As we move away from the fall months, Bonnet House gets ready to shift into high-gear for the holiday season. The holidays give us all a unique opportunity to celebrate the successes and lessons of the previous year, express our gratitude for our loved ones, and show generosity to causes close to our hearts. Here at Bonnet House, we offer a variety of opportunities to celebrate the holidays and make a meaningful impact on our local community. Holiday Magic events will take place on December 6th, 7th, 11th, 12th, and 13th, 2024.

Looking ahead to 2025, we are thrilled to announce a variety of new and continuing events, exhibits, classes, and workshops. These interesting opportunities are perfect for those looking to start their new year by either starting a new hobby or getting back into an old one.

● Orchid Care Classes (Orchid Basics): Tuesday, January 7th, 2025, 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
● Orchid Care Classes (Orchid Replanting and Mounting): Tuesday, January 14th, 2025, 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
● Oil/Acrylic Painting Workshops (6 weeks): Tuesdays, January 7th – February 11th, 2025, 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM. Tuesdays, February 18th – March 25th, 2025, 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
● Forest Forms (Inaugural Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit): January 11th – April 27th, 2025
● Bees In Our Bonnet: April 12th, 10 AM – 12:30 PM
● International Orchid & Garden Festival: Saturday and Sunday, April 5th & 6th, 2025

We are also thrilled to announce that in January 2025, we will be continuing our popular speaker series! On Monday, January 13th, Jason Alvares will be here to discuss the early inhabitants of Florida, colonialism, and Florida in the modern era. On Monday, February 10th, Kent Planck will be joining us for a fascinating discussion on the hidden meanings behind Frederic Bartlett’s paintings. Finally, on Monday, the 10th, Bonnet House Curator, Katie Valli, will be leading a lecture that explores the essentials of caring for both museum as well as private/personal collections.

Getting all of these events on our schedule and executed is no small feat and none of this would be possible without our staff, volunteers, and museum patrons. Without the support of our guests and generous donors, we would not be able to not just preserve the Bonnet House estate, but showcase its beauty and cultural significance for generations to come.

We hope that you consider attending one or many of our upcoming events at the end of 2024 and into 2025. To learn more about specific events, and register, visit our event calendar .

Sep 03
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Broward Attractions and Museums Month (BAMM)

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DISCOVER CULTURAL TREASURES IN YOUR BACKYARD!

September 2024

September is Broward Attractions and Museums Month (BAMM), which encourages visitors to experience the diversity of cultural treasures throughout Broward County. During September, visitors may buy one admission and get a second admission for free to 13 participating museums and attractions in Broward County, while seven additional museums offer free admission, as part of the BAMM promotion.

Adventures await you right outside your door! Discover new artists or ancient artifacts, ride on a riverboat or an airboat, explore a botanical garden and historic house or feed a flamingo…and so much more.

Participating attractions and museums include:

  • Art and Culture Center/ Hollywood (BOGO admission)
  • Bonnet House Museum & Gardens (BOGO admission *self-guided tours only)
  • Butterfly World (BOGO admission)
  • Coral Springs Museum of Art (Free admission)
  • Flamingo Gardens (BOGO admission)
  • The Frank Art Gallery (Free admission)
  • Historic Stranahan House (BOGO admission *online reservation encouraged)
  • History Fort Lauderdale (BOGO admission)
  • Island SPACE Caribbean Museum (BOGO admission)
  • Jungle Queen Riverboats (BOGO *90-minute cruises only *online reservation required)
  • Museum of Discovery and Science (BOGO *Tuesdays excluded. Adult purchase required)
  • NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale (BOGO admission)
  • Old Davie School Historical Museum (BOGO admission *online reservation required)
  • Plantation Historical Museum (Free admission)
  • Pompano Beach Historical Society (Free admission *reservation required)
  • Sawgrass Recreation Park (BOGO admission *online reservation required)
  • Stonewall National Museum & Archives (Free admission)
  • Studio 18 Art Complex (Free admission)
  • World AIDS Museum (Free admission)
  • Young At Art Museum (BOGO admission)

 Visitors just need to mention “BAMM” or inquire about the offer at the facility’s ticket booth to purchase one regular price admission and get a second admission of equal or lesser value for free. (Some organizations may offer the discount online using BAMM as the promotional code.)

Participating organizations may have additional restrictions or blackout dates that apply, as well as additional discounted offers available. No other offers, discounts or coupons may apply. Visitors should check each attraction’s website or call for details, hours of operation, and other updates before visiting.

Broward Attractions and Museums Month is September 1-30, 2024. Click here for additional information.

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