Bonnet House Blog

Explore the world of orchids at the 11^th Annual Bonnet House Orchid Festival Saturday & Sunday, December 2^nd & 3^rd from 9am to 4pm

One of the most popular and anticipated yearly events will bloom once more in early December with the return of the Bonnet House Orchid Food Festival, featuring the 11th Annual Orchid and Exotic Plant Sale. Taking place from 9am to 4pm on Saturday and Sunday, December 2 and 3, 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 food trucks, libations, garden art, orchid care and general gardening lectures, live music and much more!

Bonnet 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 and delight in the approximately 1,200 beautiful, exotic plants in various stages of development found within our greenhouses and display house.

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 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.

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 Monica Estevez at (954) 563-5393, extension 127 or online at [email protected].

Click here BonnetHouse.org for more details and to purchase tickets.

New York based Daniel Bennett Group is set to perform at Bonnet House Museum & Gardens Thursday, March 30 at 7pm. Enjoy a jazzy musical event you’ll never forget on the magical Bonnet House Estate. Ticket includes complementary wine.

Saxophonist Daniel Bennett has been hailed as one of the most original and unpredictable musical voices of his generation. Daniel Bennett can be heard throughout the world performing his award-winning compositions on saxophone, flute, clarinet, and oboe. The Daniel Bennett Group plays modern jazz, fused with elements of surf rock and avant-pop.

Daniel Bennett Group is currently touring to promote their newest album, ‘Sinking Houseboat Confusion’ (Manhattan Daylight Media). Bennett is joined by renowned guitarist Nat Janoff and master percussionist Matthew Feick. The Boston Globe describes Bennett’s music as “a mix of jazz, folk, and minimalism.”

The band was recently voted “Best New Jazz Group” in New York City Hot House Magazine. The Daniel Bennett Group has been featured in the Washington Post, Boston Globe, NPR, Indianapolis Public Radio, San Francisco Examiner, St. Louis Public Radio, and the Village Voice. The Village Voice raves, “saxophonist Daniel Bennett makes hay with an airy approach that’s buoyant enough to conjure notions of East African guitar riffs and Steve Reich’s pastoral repetition.”  Time Out New York describes the music as “hypnotic.”

Tickets are $25, include complimentary wine and are available online at www.bonnethouse.org or by calling (954) 703-2614.

The BLT, Blog for Lifestyle & Travel has created a Florida Bucket List: Top 50 Things To Do in the Sunshine State. Bonnet House is listed as the number 12^th tourist attraction in the state of Florida. The BLT’s Bucket List offers their ideas on where to go, what to see, and tips for making the most of a vacation trip from the ocean to the Everglades.

BLT’s fantastic review: “Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984, Bonnet House is a historic home set in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The home showcases what the wealthy lived like in the early 1900s. From beautiful architecture to a fabulous museum and beautiful gardens, this spectacular historic house is filled with a rich history that everyone should experience once.

This beautiful tropical villa was originally built in 1920 and was home to the Bartlett family. The museum itself boasts a plethora of artwork from the time, and is one of the few complete homes and studios of American artists that are open to the public. Visitors can take a tour or explore at their leisure. There is a shop on the premises as well as a breathtaking garden featuring stunning landscaping, fantastic photo opportunities, and a plethora of gorgeous plants.

Rich in history and beauty, the Bonnet House in Fort Lauderdale, Florida is something guests of all ages can enjoy. The interior museum is full of beautiful and historic things, and the grounds are home to an amazing garden that is breathtaking to behold. Don’t miss a chance to walk through this historic sight, visit the Bonnet House today.”

Cross off Bonnet House off your bucket list. A visit to South Florida is truly not complete without time spent at beautiful, historic Bonnet House Museum & Gardens. 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. Bonnet House is located at 900 North Birch Road, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304. For more information and details about all there is to see – and all there is to do – at Bonnet House, please call (954) 563-5393 or visit BonnetHouse.org.

Spanning 35 acres, Bonnet House Museum and Gardens has been called the most beautiful place for private events and corporate affairs in Fort Lauderdale, offering a stunning variety of exquisite settings, each uniquely charming in its own special way. Be it a grand lavish celebration or a close intimate gathering, your guests will enjoy sharing unforgettable moments in this culturally and historically rich venue featuring innovative architecture, original artwork, and lush tropical gardens.

Bonnet House, located in the center of Fort Lauderdale, at 900 North Birch Road, combines the grandeur of the past with modern amenities and a private parking lot, making it a choice destination to accommodate events of any size, but be 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. Here are some useful tips about planning your perfect event:

1.    Select a full service caterer. Make sure your caterer can handle not only food and beverage service, but also rentals (tables, chairs and linens), as well as staff for set-up, service and cleanup.
2.    Consider hiring a planner. Planners are a great asset and can make your private event at Bonnet House run smoothly.
3.    Plan in advance. Bonnet House requires a formal walk through with the client, planner and caterer at least one month before your event.
4.    Be prepared for inclement weather. This might mean selecting a particular time of year for your event or making sure you have arranged for a tent.
5.    Think about how you want the event to flow. Events can be very fast paced, so provide a timeline to your guests, so they know when to arrive at the venue.

Bonnet House can furnish a list of vendors that are fully licensed and insured and that have worked at the estate before. For additional information contact Nicholle Maudlin, Bonnet House Events Manager, at (954) 703-2608 or [email protected].

Following are but a few of the unsolicited “5-Star” reviews posted to Yelp.com about beautiful, historic Bonnet House, one of our nation’s most popular historic houses and gardens, and perhaps its most beautiful!

Ben A., Washington, DC – We loved this place. First of all it is a serene and tranquil oasis in the middle of busy Ft. Lauderdale. The art is beautiful and the story of the museum and its establishment is somehow poignant. IMO, there are some real treasures here. The gardens are beautiful. Parts of them give you a sense of what the area was like before human civilization. Overall, our visit to Bonnet House left us feeling like we had journeyed far through distance and through time.

Phylicia K., Hollywood, FL – What a gem! I had no idea this beautiful house was here in Broward! 
The history is amazing itself! To hear of the evolution between the different generations & to see all of the art is amazing!

Daniel W., Los Angeles, CA – A historic and artistic gem in Ft. Lauderdale! The spectacular house, and lush tropical grounds are like stepping back in time.

Rachel S., East Meadow, NY – I was very pleasantly surprised by my visit to Bonnet House. Everything in the home is original and in its original place. Evelyn Bartlett lived until she was 109 years old, and her story alone is enough to keep you transfixed. There are a lot more interesting details that you will learn on your tour here, more than I can describe in this review. Go see it!

To see more great  reviews, please visit yelp.com/biz/bonnet-house-museum-and-gardens-fort-lauderdale

Come find out what all the visitors are raving about, and why a visit to South Florida is truly not complete without time spent at beautiful, historic Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and recognized as a historic landmark by the City of Fort Lauderdale. 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 a uniquely educational, entertaining and truly unforgettable experience.

Bonnet House is located at 900 North Birch Road, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304. For more information and details, please call (954) 563-5393 or visit BonnetHouse.org.

If you’re one of the many South Floridians who are fascinated by the infinite beauty and variety of the winged population in our State, Bonnet House will provide you with a great deal of joy during the coming eight months. 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. All birding classes take place on Sundays, from 2pm to 5pm, at the historic Bonnet House Estate.

The schedule is as follows:
September 18 – “Hawks Galore”
October 23 – “Ascend to Better Birding I”
November 6 – “Ascend to Better Birding II”
December 11 – “Bird Behavior”
January 8 – “Birding by Habitat”
February 12 – “Birding by Ear”
March 19 – “Birding by Season”

Birding season concludes with a spectacular field trip to Green Cay/Wakadahachee on Saturday, April 8, from 9am to 12:30pm.

The cost 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.