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Bonnet House Blog

Jan 10
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Historic Fort Lauderdale Tour: Bonnet House Upstairs/Downstairs Tour

By Bonnet House Blog, Uncategorized 3 Comments

While South Florida has become popular in recent decades for its thriving nightlife and entertainment scene, beautiful beaches, and unique wildlife, the South Florida community also contains tremendous historic significance that’s just waiting to be explored and enjoyed. Here in Fort Lauderdale, for example, there are many historic tours throughout the city, including right here at Bonnet House Museum & Gardens. In fact, Bonnet House is currently offering guided Upstairs/Downstairs tours, as well as other group and specialty tours throughout the estate.

On the second and fourth Wednesday of every month from January through April, Bonnet House will be hosting guided Upstairs/Downstairs tours from 2pm-4pm. Visitors will have the opportunity to participate in a VIP tour of the main house that includes a sneak peek inside areas that are typically closed, including Evelyn and Frederic Bartlett’s private living quarters. These tours are led in groups of ten by our seasoned docents and will be offered for $35 per person. Limited reservations are available, and pre-registration is required.

On the second Tuesday of each month from January through April, Bonnet House will also offer guided tours of our Orchid Greenhouse from 11am-12pm. Guests on these group tours will have the chance to participate in a VIP experience of the Orchid Greenhouses and Orchid Display House. This tour will also feature areas that are closed to the general public. These tours are offered for $20 per person, and are led in groups of 15 to allow for questions and discussion. Limited reservations are available, and pre registration is required.

Bonnet House also offers guided group tours of the Main House and gardens throughout the entire year. Tours of the Main House and specialized tours of the grounds are available to groups of 15 or more Tuesday-Sunday throughout the year. Guests will have the opportunity to tour the historic home and learn about the significance of the Birch/Bartlett family, and discover the charm and whimsy of this beautiful beachfront estate. Tours are also available to experience our expansive gardens and nature trail. On these tours, docents will describe the various species of native and landscaped plants, and highlight the many ecosystems featured in this 35-acre coastal wilderness.

We hope that you will join us at Bonnet House for one of our many group tour opportunities. The South Florida community has a fascinating history, and we could not be more proud to share the legacy of the Bartlett’s with our guests. To learn more, or book your tour, click here , or call (954) 703-2606 to reserve your space.

Dec 17
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History of Fort Lauderdale: Speaker Series In The Gardens

By Bonnet House Blog No Comments

LectureBonnet House has been a fundamental part of Fort Lauderdale’s unique history since 1920. In the last century, Bonnet House and the Fort Lauderdale community have seen tremendous cultural and environmental change. As we celebrate our 100th anniversary in 2020, we want to provide the South Florida community with opportunities to learn about our fascinating history. Starting in January, Bonnet House will be hosting a monthly lecture series featuring expert historians including Susan Gillis, Cynthia Strachan, Denyse Cunningham and Patrick Scott.

Susan Gillis is a local historian and has written several books on Fort Lauderdale’s history featuring collections of old photographs and postcards, as well as information on Fort Lauderdale during the prohibition era. She will be speaking about the Fort Lauderdale Boom & Bust on Monday, January 13th, 2020.

On February 10th, 2020, historian and entertainer Cynthia Strachan and Bonnet House Curator Denyse Cunningham will give a presentation honoring Black History Month. Cynthia Strachan is a talented vocalist, songwriter, actress and author. She currently owns and maintains the first Broward County Designated Historical Site, her family home of Bowles-Strachan House, and she even operates the associated museum on site. Her lecture with our curator will highlight 100 years of Black History in Fort Lauderdale, and will surely be fascinating for all in attendance.

Our lecture series continues on March 9th, 2020 with local historian Patrick Scott as he describes ‘A Walk Through Fort Lauderdale.’ Patrick Scott was born and raised right here in Fort Lauderdale, and his Cuban grandmother moved to the community as a newlywed in 1927. He is now a lawyer, and has studied, written and lectured on local history history for nearly 30 years. His specific specialty covers early settlements in the South Florida region.

Each lecture is free for members and $5 for nonmembers and will last from 10:00am-11:30am. We hope you’ll join us for these unique opportunities to learn more about Fort Lauderdale’s unique history. If you have any questions, or would like to register in advance for any or all of these events, visit our events calendar.

Dec 13
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Fort Lauderdale Adult Art Classes In The Gardens

By Bonnet House Blog No Comments

When Evelyn Bartlett occupied the Bonnet House historic estate, she made it a priority to ensure that her home was always filled with beautiful artwork and decorative elements. She saw the importance of celebrating local and international artists, and featuring their work in her home for her many guests to enjoy. Today, we continue to celebrate Evelyn’s legacy by featuring a variety of artwork throughout the museum and hosting artistic workshops for all skill levels. To kick off 2020, Bonnet House will be hosting calligraphy, watercolor, acrylic and basket weaving classes for all skill levels.

We will be starting our beginner level calligraphy workshops on January 7th. They will continue weekly on Tuesdays through February 4th from 9:30-11:30am. These courses are meant to show how the art of calligraphy, or “beautiful writing,” can be learned and enjoyed by almost anyone. For those who are a bit more advanced in skill, our intermediate calligraphy classes will begin on February 11th, and continue on Tuesdays through March 10th from 9:30-11:30am.

These hands-on learning opportunities will teach participants about the history of pen lettering, and the importance of the hand-copying of great works of antiquity, including the Bible. Our watercolor workshops will begin on Wednesday, January 8th and will be taught weekly by fine artist and watercolorist Karen Eskesen in the historic Bonnet House gardens. These sessions will be held each Wednesday from January 8th – February 12th, 2020 from 9:30am-12:30pm. Each class will include lessons about traditional techniques of realism in watercolor, as well as line drawing. If the weather permits, each class will also include time to paint in our beautiful gardens at our art tables located in shaded areas.

On January 9th, 2020 we will begin hosting our acrylic workshops with Jane Riles. These classes will explore a variety of methods to achieve personal expression with acrylic painting, and are great for students of any skill level. Each class will include time to paint in our beautiful gardens, and will teach the basic principles of acrylic painting. Classes are held weekly on Thursdays from January 9th through February 13th.

Bonnet House is also proud to announce that we will be hosting two basket weaving classes in 2020. The first will occur on Wednesday, January 29th from 10:00am-2:00pm, and the second will take place on Saturday, March 7th from 10:00am-2:00pm. These classes will give guests the opportunity to create an artistic basket from locally-found, natural materials. These days will include an introduction to basketry as well as a walk throughout the property to identify the materials used.

We hope to see you at one or several of our workshops next year! We couldn’t be more excited to offer these exciting learning opportunities for our guests. For more information on any or all of these events, visit our class list.

Nov 22
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Whimsical Wonderland: A Holiday Family Event

By Bonnet House Blog No Comments

The holiday season is upon us once again, and here at Bonnet House, we couldn’t be more excited to kick the festivities into gear! This year, we will be hosting our annual Whimsical Wonderland event to spread holiday cheer throughout the Fort Lauderdale community. From Christmas caroling, to face painting, to a Santa Fire Truck, Bonnet House offers many unique opportunities to enjoy the holidays with the whole family in our Whimsical Wonderland on December 8th, 2019.

Our Whimsical Wonderland is a part of our annual Holiday Magic series. The series begins on Saturday, December 7th with evening tours each night throughout the week. But of all the holiday events taking place at Bonnet House this season, our Whimsical Wonderland is always among the most fun! The evening is full of entertainment and interactive activities that the whole family can enjoy. We have created a variety of holiday-themed events and activities throughout the evening that will be sure to appeal to boys and girls of all age ranges, as well as their adult families.

The evening will begin on Sunday, December 8th at 5:30pm with Santa Claus himself arriving with his elves on his very own Fire Truck to meet the kids and take note of what they would like for Christmas this year. Throughout the evening, kids will be able to participate in arts and crafts, get their faces painted, and enjoy story time with fun, holiday themes. As the evening continues, live holiday music from the Broward Center Spotlights and opportunities to take holiday family portraits.  Bonnet House’s Whimsical Wonderland is the perfect opportunity for the whole family to experience all that our estate has to offer.

To attend Bonnet House’s Whimsical Wonderland evening, general admission for adults costs $20 per person. But if you’d like to add some extra cheer to your admission (includes two drink tickets), admission will be $30 per person. Children between the ages of 6-12 are only $5, and kids under 6 are free of charge!

We hope to see you and your family at Bonnet House for our Whimsical Wonderland, or at one of our other Holiday Magic events. For more information, to purchase tickets, or register for the event, click here, or give us a call at (954) 563-5393.

Oct 21
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Fundraise

By Uncategorized No Comments

Facebook Fundraising

You can also support Bonnet House by setting up a personal fundraising page on Facebook. With so many people using Facebook, the fundraiser page is a great way to spread the word about Bonnet House to those who may not be familiar with Bonnet House. This new Facebook feature is easy to set up and use.

How to set it up

Note: You will need to have a Facebook account and will need to log in before you get started.

From the Facebook app or desktop site, select Create a Fundraiser and fill out the appropriate information in the on-screen form. If you’re using the desktop site, you can find the Create a Fundraiser link on the left side margin near the bottom of the page. If you’re using the Facebook app, tap the More icon on the bottom right, and then tap See More, which is located in the section that contains Friends, Events, and Groups—fundraising will be among the options you can choose.

Here’s the information you’ll be asked to include on your fundraiser page (refer to the image for a visual aid):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. Nonprofit: Use the search function to find Bonnet House, Inc.
  2. Cover Photo: You can upload your own cover photo or choose a photo from among those on the Bonnet House Facebook page.
  3. Fundraiser Title: As it implies, the title will tell your friends what the fundraiser is about—raising money to help preserve and restore Bonnet Hour or support the mission of Bonnet House.
  4. Tell Your Story: This section is very important as it explains why you are raising money for Bonnet House. We believe the best fundraisers start with YOU telling YOUR story. Consider framing your story in this context: what Bonnet House has meant to you or your family; why you believe in the mission of Bonnet House; or how you’ve been impacted by Bonnet House.
  5. End Date: Select a date for your fundraiser to end.
  6. Goal Amount: Select a reasonable goal you’d like to achieve. It’s important to note that 95% of donations made to your fundraiser will go to Bonnet House. The other 5% is split among paying for fraud protection, vetting of nonprofits, payment support, and payment processing.
  7. Then click Create to go live: Your fundraiser page will act like a personal profile page in many ways. You can post updates, like, share, and comment. If you start a fundraiser, let us know so we can keep an eye out for any checks by mail or electronic deposits to our account.
Oct 14
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Orchids: A Complete Guide

By Bonnet House Blog One Comment

If you’ve ever visited Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, you may have noticed the vast array of orchids on display in our Orchid House and throughout the main estate. We choose to feature such an abundance of orchids throughout the year because Evelyn Bartlett, one of the original owners of the Bonnet House estate, was a passionate collector of the tropical plants. To preserve the history of the estate and it’s original owners, we provide enriching experiences that connect the Fort Lauderdale community to the Bartletts’ legacy. Part of this involves not only displaying unique orchid varieties throughout the estate, but teaching the public about orchid care and appreciation.

Orchids come in a wide variety and most require a specific care routine. To help those interested in growing orchids, or improving the care of their existing plants, Bonnet House offers Orchid Care classes in our Island Theater. These orchid cultivation classes, taught in a three-part series starting January 25th, 2020, are taught by our orchid curator, Jose Exposito, and his knowledgeable team of orchid care experts. These classes typically cover information like the basics of orchid care, orchid repotting and mounting techniques, as well as methods for diagnosing various pests and diseases. Each class is followed by an official guided “Orchid Tour” featuring our Orchid Display House and Orchid Greenhouse. To register for our orchid classes or learn more, click here.

If it’s the aesthetics of orchids that interest you more than care and cultivation, consider taking our two-day orchid painting watercolor workshop! These classes will be hosted by fine artist and watercolorist Karen Eskesen in the historic Bonnet House gardens on February 28th & 29th, 2020. By attending this workshop, you’ll have the opportunity to learn how to capture the unique beauty of Orchids using various watercolor techniques. To register for these classes, or to learn more about this opportunity, click here.

In addition to educational and artistic classes, Bonnet House is also proud to host our annual Orchid & Garden Festival every spring! This festival is sure to please not just orchid enthusiasts, but plant lovers of all kinds. Guests will be given the opportunity to vividly experience and purchase beautiful orchids of all shapes, sizes, and colors. In addition to orchids, guests will also be able to view and purchase other varieties of tropical plants, herbs, and fruit trees sold by local and international vendors. The festival also includes various lecturers and musical guests to keep everyone entertained throughout both days. To learn more about what to expect at our next Orchid & Garden Festival, click here.

To preserve the important legacy of the Bartletts, we have prioritized educating the public about
native plant species, including Orchids. If you’re interested in learning more about orchid
painting or cultivation, please consider attending at least one of our excellent orchid-centric
events!

Sep 17
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Bonnet House Garden: A Trove Of Rare & Unique Trees

By Bonnet House Blog One Comment

For decades, the Bonnet House estate has been well-known for its historical significance to the South Florida community. But part of what makes Bonnet House so special is the natural environment in which it was built. The Bonnet House grounds encompass one of the last examples in South Florida of a native barrier island habitat. Five distinct ecosystems can be found on the property including the Atlantic Ocean beach and primary dune, a freshwater slough, the secondary dune which includes the house site, mangrove wetlands, and a maritime forest. Because of our unique location and expansive grounds, Bonnet House is home to a variety of rare trees that you won’t easily find in the rest of the United States.

The Jabuticaba Tree, for example, is native to Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Peru, and Bolivia. Jabuticaba Trees are able to flourish here at Bonnet House because of their adaptability. These trees prefer moist, rich, slightly acidic soil, but they can also grow satisfactorily on alkaline beach-sand type soils as long as they are tended and irrigated. These trees flower frequently and produce a tasty thick-skinned berry year-round. Rangpur Lime Trees can also be found on our estate. These trees originated in India, but were brought to Florida in the late 19th century, and can now be grown throughout the world. They also bear an edible fruit that looks and tastes like a hybrid between a mandarin orange and citron. Avocado and Mango trees are also common throughout the Bonnet House estate.

Avocado trees are native to South Central Mexico but thrive in South Florida because of the humid, warm environment, and well-aerated soil. Mango trees on the other hand, are native to India but they also require a warm, humid climate in order to survive. For this reason, in the United States, these trees are only able to grow in Southern Florida and California.

The Bonnet House gardens also include Sapodilla trees. These are a rare find in North America, as they are only native to southern Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. They can only survive in warm, tropical environments and will easily die if the temperature drops below freezing. South Florida’s warm climate makes it the perfect place for these trees to flourish. The Ear Tree is also native to Central America and can be found at the Bonnet House estate. These trees are a species of flowering tree in the pea family and are known for their expansive, spherical crown and ear-lobe shaped seed pods.

The Bonnet House estate is home to another rare tree that is native to Africa, Arabia, and Australia. These trees are known as Baobabs, and are commonly located in seasonally arid environments and shed their leaves during the dry season. They can survive harsh drought conditions by storing large quantities of water in their trunk (up to 32,000 gallons) for long periods of time. Although all of these trees are native to other countries, each can be found right here in South Florida. At Bonnet House, part of our mission involves educating the public about the Bartlett’s environmental legacy, and encouraging its preservation. You can see these rare trees, and so many more exciting species of plants and animals at Bonnet House Museum & Gardens.

Plan your next visit today!

Aug 14
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A Visitor Guide To Bonnet House Tours

By Bonnet House Blog No Comments

Here at Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, there is so much to see! As the name suggests, our estate includes both an indoor museum area, in addition to vast outdoor garden trails. As guests explore Bonnet House, we do our best to ensure that everyone is able to see and learn as much on their visit as possible. However, from the beautiful flora and fauna that occupy our expansive gardens, to the grand design of the historic home, it can be easy to miss some important areas. To help our guests make the most of their visit, we have compiled a list of a few things everyone should expect to see and experience at Bonnet House Museum & Gardens!

Constructed in 1920 on 35-acres of a native barrier island ecosystem, and included on the National Register of Historic Places, Bonnet House is one of the few complete homes and studios of two American artists that is open to the public. The Main House is filled with a collection of art and the personal treasures of the Birch and Bartlett families. Since Bonnet House’s construction, much of the natural barrier island habitat has been lost to commercial development. But a walk along our nature trails will transport guests back in time to experience a rare piece of old South Florida.

Upon arriving to Bonnet House, guests will enter through the welcome center to purchase tickets. The cost to enter is $20 for adult admission and $16 for children ages 6-12 years old (children under six are free). Our hours of operation are 9:00am – 4:00pm Tuesday – Sunday. Guided tours are available daily at 9:30am, 10:30am, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, 2:30pm, and 3:30pm. For our guests that would only prefer to take a self guided tour of our gardens, $10 tickets can be purchased at the front office as well. Reservations are not required for these general admission tours.

After tickets have been purchased, guests will walk past the Boat House, fruit grove, and the caretakers cottage (currently our gift shop) before arriving at the Main House. The guided house tours begin at the front door, but guests are free to explore the gardens until their tour begins. Inside the Main House, guests will get to experience Frederic Bartlett’s interpretation of a Caribbean-style plantation home, and learn about the estate details, as well as the unique lives of Frederic and Evelyn Bartlett.

But there is so much more to the estate than just the Main House and garden trails. Across from the entrance to the Main House is our Shell Museum Complex, containing shells from around the world, an Orchid House and the Bartlett’s private Bamboo Bar. This complex contains hundreds of shells from all over the world, and displays one of the largest orchid collections in the US. Also on the property is an Island Theater with special exhibitions, two additional orchid houses, and even a small barn containing a restored 1935 Case “CC’ tractor!

It isn’t just the history that makes Bonnet House such a popular attraction. There are so many picturesque locations throughout our gardens that should not be missed. Overlooking the Lily Pond is our beautiful Pavillion, where the Bartletts would often entertain guests. Also on the property is a spectacular fountain, added in 1942. It is located at the end of our tree-lined allee and is constructed entirely of marble.

Whether you are a first time guest or a Bonnet House member, there is always something new to discover at our beautiful estate. If you have any additional questions about visiting Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, please call (954) 563-5393.

Aug 14
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Bird Watching or Birding – How They Differ

By Bonnet House Blog No Comments

Here at Bonnet House, we are fortunate enough to have large, expansive gardens on our property. In fact, the Bonnet House estate contains five unique ecosystems which showcase some of the last examples of a native barrier island habitat in South Florida. These pristine habitats offer excellent opportunities for our guests to view nature as well as hundreds of beautiful native and migratory birds, among other animal species. For this reason, Bonnet House is a popular place for many South Florida residents and visitors to go bird watching and/or birding. But what exactly is the difference between these two activities?

Although these two activities might seem like the same thing, they are actually quite different. Invision this scenario: you are enjoying a morning cup of coffee by a window while looking out at your back yard. As you gaze out the window, you happen to notice a mother robin feeding her babies in the nest by your window. The act of viewing these birds while sipping your warm coffee is known as bird watching.

On the other hand, birding is a bit more complicated. In order to understand the difference between bird watching and birding, we need to take this scenario a step further. After seeing the robin and her babies, let’s say you decide to take a walk through your yard in the hopes of locating more birds with nests. You even bring your binoculars and a camera so you don’t miss out on any bird photo opportunities. The act of seeking out these birds is known as birding. Bird watching is a passive activity, where birding is much more active. Birding involves actively searching for birds or listening for their calls. Bird watching, on the other hand, involves observing birds when you just happen to see them.

At Bonnet House, we understand that both bird watching and birding are very popular, especially in the South Florida community. Because of this, we have been offering Birding Classes for quite some time now. In these classes guided by expert Paddy Cunningham, guests will learn how to spot birds and identify specific species and behaviors. You’ll have the opportunity to take photographs, view bird watching videos, and even make your own. Classes are typically $20 for members, and $25 for non-members.

If you’d like more information about Bonnet House’s birding classes, or if you would like to simply learn more about birding and bird watching opportunities at Bonnet House, click here!

Jul 11
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A Guide To Outdoor Weddings

By Bonnet House Blog 2 Comments

Are you thinking about planning an outdoor wedding soon? If so, our team at Bonnet House understands how daunting that task can seem at first. There is so much to consider when planning an outdoor wedding and Bonnet House can be there for you every step of the way. From bad weather preparations to finding the perfect caterer, Bonnet House can help ease the pressure on your special day.

When planning an outdoor wedding, the first thing you must consider is the weather and the season that you would prefer to wed. Typically outdoor weddings are most common in the spring, summer and fall seasons. However, because our estate is located in the center of sunny Fort Lauderdale, the beauty of Bonnet House Museum & Gardens can be enjoyed year-round, even in the winter time.

Deciding on the attire you feel is appropriate for your wedding is also an extremely important factor in your wedding planning. Do you want your wedding to have a casual or more formal feeling? Everything from the bride’s bouquet, to the bride’s maid’s shoes and dresses must be carefully thought out before your big day. Regardless of your choices, Bonnet House spans 35 acres and offers a variety of settings for weddings, ceremonies, receptions, and rehearsal dinners of any style and size.

Choosing the right catering services and vendors can be a challenge as well. This is why Bonnet House works with many pre-approved caterers and vendors to suit every budget and design goal. When planning your wedding, reception and rehearsal dinner, Bonnet House has made the process simple by providing a list of preferred vendors with extensive experience on the property.

Bonnet House Museum & Gardens offers a unique combination of the grandeur of the past with modern amenities, including a private parking lot, to ensure that the needs of any and all guests are accommodated. Bonnet House is available for rentals during morning and evening hours, and guests have the exclusive use of the tree lined allee, outdoor terrace, veranda lawn, hibiscus garden, and inner courtyard. It is also important to note that Bonnet House does not have air-conditioned banquet halls, however an air-conditioned bridal room is available for use by the bridal party. The renting party is also responsible for all services including catering, tables, chairs, staging, etc.

Whether you are planning an intimate gathering, or a grand and lavish affair, Bonnet House will set the scene for romance and timeless memories. If you’re planning an outdoor wedding in South Florida, you can contact David Wooden [email protected] to set up a tour!