While it’s felt like a long couple of months, we are so excited to announce that Bonnet House Museum & Gardens is officially open to the public in its entirety for self guided tours! We couldn’t be more happy to begin getting things back to normal around our estate, while maintaining social distancing requirements and complying with additional CDC recommendations.
To ensure the health and safety of our guests, we made the decision to close the main house during the height of the pandemic. However, as of June 2nd, guests are welcome to tour the main house in addition to the beautiful gardens throughout the tropical estate. To keep our guests safe while they visit, we have marked a one way route through the museum that highlights all areas of the main house.
To enhance the experience of our self-guided tours, we encourage guests to use our new mobile app on their cellphones, which features recorded information about the BirchBartlett family, the unique art collection, and many interesting stops along the tour, including the Bridge/Boat House, studio, courtyard, butler’s pantry, kitchen, Shell Museum/Orchid House/Bamboo Bar and more.
“We are pleased to welcome guests back for self-guided house and grounds tours, offering an enjoyable way to experience the historic estate, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary,” said Patrick Shavloske, CEO of Bonnet House Museum & Gardens. “What better way is there to emerge from the seclusion resulting from COVID19 than a visit to this magical property that has served as an outdoor paradise for 100 years?”
Admission costs $20 for the house and grounds tours, $10 for the grounds only tour, and is free for our members. Daily visits will occur Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, with early access for members and visitors with health vulnerabilities from 9:00 am. to 10:00 am.
Guests will be required to maintain the social distance of six feet between visitors at all times, except for families that are currently residing in the same dwelling. Also, to comply with the CDC’s recommendations, guests must wear masks/face coverings at all times. Face coverings and refreshments will be available for purchase in the Welcome Center or Museum Shop.
We hope that you and your family will join us as we reopen our estate. Tickets can be purchased onsite at the Welcome Center, or you can purchase tickets ahead of time, here.