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There’s Never a Dull Moment at Bonnet House!

By Bonnet House Blog No Comments

SoMuchToSee-DoWhen you come to Bonnet House Museum and Gardens in Florida, you will not only enjoy one of the most beautiful historic home and gardens in our nation, but also have the opportunity to participate in a plethora of activities to make any visit truly memorable. This bright and airy Caribbean-style house, built in the early 1920s along a 35-acre slice of breathtaking waterfront property in Fort Lauderdale, is a true architectural gem reflecting the vivid artistry of original owner Frederic Clay Bartlett throughout the entire property, with painted faux marble floors and murals on walls and wood ceilings in major rooms, beautifully manicured grounds, spectacular tropical gardens, winding nature trails and exotic wildlife. But more than just visually grand, Bonnet House is truly a feast for all your senses.

You can register for a very special VIP experience by taking a sneak peek inside Evelyn and Frederic Bartlett’s private living quarters, showcasing rooms not regularly open to the general public, in tours led by seasoned Bonnet House docents. And you can also register for a breathtaking Orchid Greenhouse Tour to vividly experience approximately 1,200 beautiful plants in various stages of development. Our expert Bonnet House Orchid Curator will guide your tour and discuss how our orchids are bred and cultivated (including our impressive seedling program). This tour is an absolute treat for orchid enthusiasts and novices alike, and exquisite varieties of orchid seedlings are available for purchase.

If you are artistically inclined, you can participate in Outdoor Watercolor and Acrylic Workshops, where you will draw and paint from floral, landscape and architectural motifs in a beautiful tropical setting. If bird watching suits your fancy, you can register for Birding Classes and enjoy a more intimate look at our fine-feathered friends. And if you enjoy beautiful music under the Florida sky, our Concerts Under The Stars, featuring live performances by the finest young talent in South Florida on the beautiful Bonnet House Veranda – with complimentary wine, dessert and coffee – is one of the area’s most popular activities.

A visit to South Florida is truly not complete without time spent at beautiful Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, listed on the National Register of Historic Places and declared a historic landmark by the City of Fort Lauderdale. Besides all the exciting activities to be enjoyed, the story told here spans and parallels a wide swath of American history and makes a visit both to these pages and to the estate not only most entertaining, but also uniquely educational. Bonnet House is located at 900 North Birch Road, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304. For more information and registration details for all activities, please call (954) 563-5393 or visit BonnetHouse.org.

Bonnet House Orchid, Garden & Gourmet Food Festival Returns for 9th Spectacular Season!

By Bonnet House Blog No Comments

OrchidFestival2015Bonnet House’s world-famous orchid collection is one of the myriad reasons why a visit to South Florida is truly not complete without time spent at this grand estate’s beautiful Museum and Gardens. Here, you will marvel at and delight in the approximately 1,200 beautiful, exotic plants in various stages of development found within our greenhouses and display house.

One of the most popular and anticipated yearly events featuring this wonderful collection will bloom once more in early December with the return of the Bonnet House Orchid, Garden & Gourmet Food Festival, featuring the 9th Annual Orchid and Exotic Plant Sale. Taking place from 9am to 4pm on Saturday and Sunday, December 5 and 6, the Festival will allow orchid enthusiasts, and plant lovers in general, the opportunity to vividly experience – and purchase – diverse, colorful and fragrant varieties of orchids, exotics, tropical, herbs and fruit trees sold by over 40 local vendors. The orchids and exotic plants, though, are only the beginning. This exciting two-day event will offer something for everyone to enjoy, including gourmet food trucks, libations, garden art, orchid care and general gardening lectures, cooking demonstrations, live music, a farmer’s market, and much more!

Bonnet House, one of our nation’s most popular historic houses and gardens, is located at 900 North Birch Road, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304. The entry fee for the Orchid, Garden & Gourmet Food Festival is $12 for members and $15 for non-members. Parking is free. Tickets are now available online at BonnetHouse.org. For more information please call (954) 703-2614.

Hold Your Private Event at One of the Nation’s Most Beautiful Historic Homes.

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PrivateEventsBonnet House Museum and Gardens offers the perfect setting for corporate affairs and cocktail receptions. Beginning with the stunning first impression at the main entrance, your guests will experience a night to remember in this beautiful and unique historic house. Become inspired by the innovative architecture, rich history, original artwork, and lush gardens. Experience the beauty and history of our facilities that combine the grandeur of the past with amenities of today. In compliment to the natural vegetation, the grounds contain a Desert Garden composed of arid plantings, a hibiscus garden, and the main courtyard planted with tropical vegetation.

Located in the center of Fort Lauderdale, at 900 North Birch Road, Bonnet House is a culturally and historically rich venue with modern amenities and a private parking lot, making it a choice destination to accommodate any event, but make sure to plan ahead – Bonnet House limits the number of private events, and dates are reserved based on availability when accompanied by your rental deposit.

For additional information contact Nicholle Maudlin at (954) 703-2608 or at [email protected].

November Brings Another Sensational Historic Cruise on the New River!

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NovemberCruiseGuests attending Bonnet House Museum & Gardens’ historic cruise “Cruisin’ Down the River: A Boat Ride Down Memory Lane” will learn fascinating facts about the history of Fort Lauderdale from featured speaker, historian and author, Susan Gillis, while cruising in style aboard the famous Carrie B. paddlewheel boat. Gillis, who has a Master’s in Anthropology degree from the University of Denver, is known as “Fort Lauderdale’s official history buff” and served as the city’s historical expert during its centennial year of 2011. This historic cruise will take place on Saturday, November 14, starting at 5pm, and the yacht embarkation site is 440 North New River Drive East, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Admission is $45 for members and $55 for non-members and includes two glasses of wine. A cash bar is also available onboard. For more information and to reserve your seat, please call (954) 653-1554 or visit BonnetHouse.org/calendar.

Membership Provides Great Satisfaction and Exceptional Benefits!

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BecomeMemberMembership in Bonnet House is a wonderful way to show your support for one of the nation’s most beautiful historic houses and gardens, while also enjoying valuable recreation and entertainment opportunities for you and your family. There are 12 levels of membership available, starting as low as $55 per year for individual memberships.

All Bonnet House Members receive these basic membership benefits:
• Unlimited Free Admission for Year of Membership (specialty tours not included)
• Half price admission for up to three guests accompanied by member
• Discounts for events, lectures, and classes
• Subscription to Bonnet House newsletter
• Membership in the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation
• Subscription to Florida Trust for Historic Preservation newsletter and The Florida Preservationist
And your benefits also include enhancements such as complimentary tours, special discounts, gifts, priority seating at events and recognition in the Annual Report.

A visit to South Florida is truly not complete without the unforgettable and highly educational experience shared at beautiful, historic Bonnet House Museum & Gardens. Become a member today and enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that you are helping to support and preserve one of our nation’s most popular historical treasures. Bonnet House is located at 900 North Birch Road, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304. For more information about becoming a member, contact Bonnet House Director of Development Patrick Shavloske at 954-563-5393, extension140 or at [email protected]

October 3 is Season’s Last “Cool Saturdays” Summer Special!

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2015LastCoolSaturdaySpecialThere’s just one more chance this season to take advantage of Bonnet House Museum & Gardens’ popular half-price “Cool Saturdays” Summer Special. Come on down on Saturday, October 3, and explore the whimsical house where fish sculptures rise in the air, shells have their own museum and shady nature trails invite you to search for playful monkeys in the trees and majestic swans in the fresh water lakes. Admission is only $10 for adults and free for children 12 and under from 9am to 4pm on these days. Tour admission is always free for Bonnet House members.

A visit to South Florida is truly not complete without time spent at beautiful, historic Bonnet House Museum & Gardens. Located at 900 North Birch Road, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304, Bonnet House is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the estate is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has been declared a historic landmark by the City of Fort Lauderdale. For more information and details, please contact Linda Schaller at (954) 563-5393, extension 137 or online at [email protected].

Become a Bonnet House Volunteer!

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VolunteeringIf you would love to spend your days roaming one of the nation’s most beautiful historic houses and gardens, and helping others share in its transcendent beauty and remarkable history, serving as a volunteer at historic Bonnet House in Fort Lauderdale, Florida should be right up your alley. It is through the efforts and dedication of Bonnet House volunteers that we are able to maintain the integrity of this unique historical estate and to ensure a pleasant and enjoyable experience for every one of our visitors.

With five distinct eco-zones and the vibrant legacy of Frederic and Evelyn Bartlett – whose interests ranged from art, poetry, and music to natural conservation and organic agriculture – Bonnet House has nurtured eclectic interests for almost ninety-five years. There’s something for everyone to enjoy here, and the same can be said of our volunteer opportunities, with a variety of ways in which they can serve, to suit everyone’s skills and talents. Volunteers can serve as Lead Guides, sharing the Bonnet House story as they guide visitors through a tour of the main residence, or they can serve as Education Volunteers, promoting Bonnet House’s educational missions. There are wonderful opportunities for Back-Up Guides, assisting the Lead Guides, and for Nature Trail Interpreters, who share historical, environmental and botanical facts with the visitors. Other volunteer opportunities available include Bridge Greeters, who welcome visitors and provide directional information; Courtyard Coordinators, who check admissions and monitor the courtyard to ensure proper flow; Museum Shop Assistants, who help maintain control and oversee items in the Gift Shop; Collections Volunteers, who work with the Curator in the care and maintenance of archives; Research and Library Volunteers, who create the Bartlett’s book collection; and Data Input Volunteers, who compile and input data in various formats for events and files.

A visit to South Florida is truly not complete without the unforgettable and highly educational experience shared at beautiful, historic Bonnet House Museum & Gardens. Bonnet House is located at 900 North Birch Road, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304. For more information about becoming a volunteer, and helping our visitors enjoy the uniqueness of this architectural jewel, and its fascinating story that spans and parallels a wide swath of American history, please call (954) 703-2606 or visit www.bonnethouse.org/opportunities – we look forward to sharing this wonderful experience with you.

Bonnet House’s Popular Birding Classes Return in September!

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BirdWatchersA recent survey from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service reported that one in five Americans has an active interest in bird watching. If you’re one of the many who enjoy the infinite beauty and variety of our winged friends in South Florida, the next few months will provide you with a great deal of joy at the beautiful Bonnet House Estate. Our extremely popular Birding Classes return, led by birder extraordinaire Paddy Cunningham, who has been a professional Naturalist in South Florida for over two decades. The first of the individual Birding Classes, “Hawks Galore,” will take place Sunday, September 20 from 2pm to 5pm. Subsequent classes, also taking place on Sundays from 2pm to 5pm, will be held on November 8 (“Ascend to Better Birding”), January 10 of 2016 (“Birding by Season”), and March 6 of 2016 (“Birding by Ear & Habitat”). The cost of Birding Classes is $20 for Bonnet House Members, and $25 for non-members. To register, call the Bonnet House Education Department at (954) 703-2606. Bonnet House is located at 900 North Birch Road, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304.

Bonnet House’s Popular Orchid Care Classes Return in August!

By Bonnet House Blog No Comments

OrchidClassesOur world-famous orchid collection is one of the many reasons why a visit to South Florida is truly not complete without time spent at beautiful, historic Bonnet House Museum & Gardens. Beginning on the first day of August, Bonnet House will once again be offering its popular morning orchid care classes in our lovely air-conditioned Island Theater. Come learn how to care for your orchids with orchid curators from Broward Orchid Supply. Each class is followed by a tour of the orchid greenhouse, lathe house and display house. Orchid supplies will be available for purchase at all classes.

All classes take place on Saturdays from 10am – 12pm. The schedule is as follows:
Orchid Basics – August 1, 2015
Orchid Repotting – August 8, 2015
Orchid Mounting – August 15, 2015
Diagnosing Pests & Diseases – August 22, 2015

The cost of each class is $30 for members and $35 for non-members. Bonnet House is located at 900 North Birch Road, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304. For more information or to register, visit www.bonnethouse.org or contact Linda Schaller at [email protected] or (954) 703-2606.

Celebrate Your Wedding at Bonnet House!

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Bonnet_House_Great_Wedding_SiteIf you are looking for a unique venue for your wedding ceremony and reception, Bonnet House Museum and Gardens offers the perfect South Florida location. Originally built in 1920, and embodying a unique combination of old-world charm and understated elegance, Bonnet House exudes classic and eclectic taste, with artwork and decorative flourishes seen at every turn and an evident love for nature reflected in the beautifully manicured grounds surrounding its 35-acre estate.

Whether you are planning a close and intimate gathering or a grand and lavish affair, Bonnet House Museum & Gardens sets the scene for romance and timeless memories. Our dramatic spaces, such as the Hibiscus Garden, fountain courtyard, water front veranda and tree-lined alee all provide memorable possibilities for a truly unforgettable wedding.

A very unique venue – listed on the National Register of Historic Places and declared a historic landmark by the City of Fort Lauderdale – Bonnet House was awarded Wedding Wire Couple’s Choice Award for 2014, with the maximum 5.0 score for all reviewable aspects: Quality of Service, Responsiveness, Professionalism, Value and Flexibility. For additional details, rental information or a tour, please contact Nicholle Maudlin, Events Manager, at 954-703-2608 or at [email protected].