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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.

Sep 03
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All-New Fine Artist Member Exhibit At Bonnet House

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It is no secret that the Bonnet House estate has an extensive history here in South Florida. Most of us are already familiar with the artistic influence of the Bartlett and Birch families, as well as the fact that Bonnet House continues to serve as an important artistic and cultural hub of the Fort Lauderdale community. But despite the prolific artistic influence that the original owners had right here in Florida and throughout the country, they all had to work their way up from amateurs to become the renowned artists that they are known as today.

It is for this reason that we do our best to celebrate the variety of talented artists we have right here in our local community. Each quarter, Bonnet House showcases art created by amateur, semi-professional, and professional artists in South Florida. This quarter, from August 27th – November 24th, you can visit our Middle Gallery to explore mixed-media artwork created by Howard Blacker, Pam Breitberg, Ellie Davis, George Dolan, Sandy Dolan, Claudia Hafner, Cindy Jenkins, Carol Moore, Gerard Pastor, Barbie Pearson, Phoenix, Kent Planck, Dianna Silvagni, and Melissa Zanni.

Highlights of this quarter’s Fine Artist Member Exhibit include nature, still life, fictional and nonfictional subjects, and even our favorite historic home, Bonnet House. Each piece is for sale and supports both our talented local artists, and our museum. We encourage everyone to not only view the artwork, but consider purchasing a unique piece to decorate your home, or give to a loved one.

With so many fantastic local artists, there is no shortage of unique art for us to display. We hope that you take advantage of these rotating opportunities to support and enjoy the talents of local artists and creators. To learn more about visiting our quarterly Fine Artist Member Exhibit, or to see how you can have your art featured, click here!

Jul 23
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Bonnet House & Orchids – A Unique Connection

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If you’ve ever visited Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, you may associate our historic estate with the beautiful and unique orchid flower. This is no doubt because, included on our vast property, is an Orchid House that houses a stunning variety of orchids from all over the world. Additionally, we have been hosting an annual International Orchid Festival as well as beginner & intermediate Orchid Classes for over a decade.

Many may be wondering, “Why do we place such a specific emphasis on orchids?” This is an excellent question. While our gardens contain a multitude of plants from a variety of climate zones (including our Desert Garden, Maritime Forest, and much more), we do place a particular emphasis on orchids. This is due to the fact that Evelyn Bartlett, one of Bonnet House’s original owners, was a prolific collector of orchids.

We pay homage to Evelyn and her interests by not only offering opportunities for guests to view orchids from around the globe in full bloom, but also to purchase and learn more about caring for orchids on their own. This August, we are happy to announce that we will be starting our popular Orchid Care Classes!

The first class will take place on Tuesday, August 6th, from 9:30-11:30am. This class will cover the basics of orchid care, and will include helpful information on the various types of orchids, growing locations, and basic cultivation techniques. Each class is followed by an informative guided tour of our Orchid Display House as well as our Orchid Greenhouses. This course is $30 for members and $35 for non-members. To learn more and purchase tickets, click here.

For advanced orchid care techniques, our intermediate classes will take place on Tuesday, August 13th, from 9:30 am to 11:30 am. These classes will cover all aspects of transplanting orchids, with a special emphasis on the techniques and uses of different materials including cork, driftwood, plaques, baskets, and more. This course is $30 for members and $35 for non-members. To secure your place in the class, click here.

You can join us in celebrating the legacy of Evelyn Bartlett by attending our Orchid Care Classes. Regardless of your knowledge of orchid care techniques, we hope to see you at our upcoming orchid classes this August. These classes are very popular and will fill up quickly, so be sure to reserve your spot today!

Jul 23
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Don’t Miss Out On The Family Summer Special

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Is it just us or has this summer flown by? The fact that we are already mid-way through July is astounding to us here at Bonnet House Museum & Gardens! But it is no shock that this summer has gone by in a flash. With all of our fantastic events, classes and workshops, it is no wonder why the summer season has passed by so quickly!

This is why we wanted to take some time to remind you all about The Family Summer Special. This fantastic annual deal begins on June 1st, and continues through September 1st. During this time, Bonnet House is happy to offer reduced rates to our guests that includes $25 admission for adults and free admission for anyone 17 and under. Guests will have the opportunity to not only take a self-guided tour of the estate, but also spend time searching for birds, and other interesting wildlife in our lakes, ponds, and gardens.

Our expansive 35-acre estate contains a large Main House which features a unique collection of decorative and fine art, as well as a secluded nature trail that is perfectly suited for families. While visiting, guests are invited to walk a one-way route around the beautiful Main House and take a self-guided tour through our expansive gardens. You never know what interesting wildlife you may experience on our property.

To give our guests an optimal experience, we have developed audio recordings that can be accessed from mobile devices as you walk through our estate. This artful and educational audio tour features information about each room, significant items from the collection, and the families responsible for the estate’s creation.

The Family Summer Special is available Tuesday through Friday from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, and tickets can be purchased at the Welcome Center. To learn more about the Family Summer Special, click here.

We hope that you consider visiting the Bonnet House estate this summer. With free admission for the kids, you and the whole family can spend a beautiful day learning about the historical and ecological significance of South Florida without breaking the bank. Plan your visit today!

Jul 11
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Orchid Care Classes Returning This August

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Summertime has once again returned to South Florida! If you think the summers are hot and humid where you live, it’s probably not even close to the heat and humidity that we experience here in Fort Lauderdale. But this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In fact, we welcome and embrace the hot sticky climate this time of year! This is because, here at Bonnet House, we are passionate about growing and caring for a variety of tropical plants, including orchids. In fact, we center many of our annual events and workshops around these unique, eye-catching plants.

This August, we are excited to announce the return of our popular Orchid Care Classes! These classes are designed for both beginners and experienced growers. These interesting classes will cover both the basics of orchid care as well as more advanced techniques. These classes will be taught by our Orchid Curator, Jose Exposito, and his fantastic team of orchid care experts on staff at Bonnet House. Our greenhouse is filled with a variety of perfectly cared for orchids, and more. During this tour, guests will learn exclusive details about our orchid care techniques and have the opportunity to ask our expert Orchid Curator questions.

The first class will take place on Tuesday, August 6th, from 9:30-11:30am. This class will cover the basics of orchid care, and will include helpful information on the various types of orchids, growing locations, and basic cultivation techniques. Each class is followed by an informative guided tour of our Orchid Display House as well as our Orchid Greenhouses. This course is $30 for members and $35 for non-members.  To learn more and purchase tickets, click here.

To learn about more advanced orchid care techniques, our intermediate classes will take place on Tuesday, August 13th, from 9:30 am to 11:30 am. These classes will cover all aspects of transplanting orchids, with a special emphasis on the techniques and uses of different materials including cork, driftwood, plaques, baskets, and more. This course is $30 for members and $35 for non-members. To learn more and purchase tickets, click here.

Whether you are new to orchids, or have been growing them for decades, these classes are sure to offer new and interesting insights into the exciting world of orchid care. Regardless of your knowledge of orchid care techniques, we hope to see you at our upcoming orchid classes this August. These classes are very popular and will fill up quickly, so be sure to reserve your spot today!

May 30
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Make Memories As A Family: Bonnet House Family Summer Special

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Summer is finally here and school is out! That means that many families are searching for activities to keep their kids and loved ones occupied, and make meaningful memories before the new school year begins. Here at Bonnet House, we work hard to ensure that our historic estate and vast gardens are enjoyable for all, and are also accessible to families of all shapes and sizes.

Starting on June 1st, 2024, Bonnet House is excited to announce the return of our popular Family Summer Special! This special deal includes $25 admission for adults and free admission for anyone 17 and under through September 1st. Guests will have the opportunity to not only take a self-guided tour of the estate, but also spend time searching for birds, and other interesting wildlife in our lakes, ponds, and gardens.

Our 35-acre estate contains a Main House which features a whimsical collection of decorative and fine art, as well as a nature trail that is perfectly suited for families. While visiting, you are more than welcome to enjoy walking a one-way route around the beautiful Main House and taking a self-guided tour through our expansive gardens.

To give our guests an optimal experience, we have developed audio recordings that can be accessed from mobile devices as you walk through our estate. This artful and educational audio tour features information about each room, significant items from the collection, and the families responsible for the estate’s creation.

Bonnet House Museum & Gardens is the perfect place to bring your family to make lasting memories this summer. With free admission for the kids, you and the whole family can spend a beautiful day learning about the historical and ecological significance of South Florida without breaking the bank. We hope to see you and your family at Bonnet House this summer!

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