Bonnet House Blog

The Bonnet House property was purchased in 1895 by Hugh Taylor Birch. While the property had already experienced over 4,000 years of Florida history at the time it was purchased, the state of Florida looked nothing like it does today. Although much time has passed, the Bonnet House property still encompasses one of the last examples in South Florida of a native barrier island habitat. We are fortunate to be one of the few places in Florida to include five distinct ecosystems and an abundance of native plants and wildlife.

These five unique ecosystems include the Atlantic Ocean beach and primary dune, a freshwater slough, the secondary dune which includes the house site, mangrove wetlands, and a maritime forest. To complement the natural vegetation, the grounds also contain a Desert Garden composed of arid plantings, a hibiscus garden, and the main courtyard planted with tropical vegetation.

Our stunning variety of tropical vegetation includes but is not limited to mangroves, saw palmetto, blue porter weed, wild coffee, bougainvillea, and plumeria. Bonnet House also showcases various blooming examples of orchids in our greenhouses and throughout the estate all year round.

If you are interested in learning more about our fascinating ecosystems, and specific plant varieties, we encourage you to participate in our Education Programs. Our Educational Programming enlivens our mission statement and supports Florida’s B.E.S.T. Standards by offering onsite classes, field trips, and virtual lessons in Florida history, nature, art, and design.

These programs:
● Integrate character education
● Involve hands-on activities
● Provide various choices of curriculum enrichment
● Conform to the National Trust for Historic Preservation curriculum guidelines

Here at Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, we pride ourselves on providing unique and interesting opportunities for our guests to learn more about our estate, its owners, and Florida’s beautiful ecosystems. But none of this would be possible without our passionate and engaging volunteers. These dedicated individuals help us to educate guests, and care for our many species of plants. Our volunteers are truly the heart and soul of Bonnet House and they make all of our goals come to fruition.

Whether it’s everyday operations, special evening events, or gardening, Bonnet House couldn’t operate as it does without our team of volunteers. Volunteers have a variety of different opportunities to serve at Bonnet House. If you have any questions or wish to join our team of volunteers at Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, please call (954) 703-2606 or click here

School is out for the summer and we couldn’t be more excited about all of the fun activities available to our guests this season! Whether you’re interested in spending time outdoors in nature, or inside learning about history, we have everything you and your family need to have a blast this summer.

Here in South Florida, we are no strangers to crowded beaches, and large groups of tourists. If you’re looking for a way to be outside on the water without dealing with large crowds, we have the perfect solution for you. Kayaking and paddle boarding are great ways to stay cool on the water, while also getting some exercise! Bonnet House Museum & Gardens has partnered with Fort Lauderdale Adventures to offer visitors the unique opportunity to kayak or paddle board through our secluded Coconut Cove. To learn more and to book your experience, click here.

Beginning on June 1st and lasting through September 3rd, Bonnet House will also be hosting our annual Summer Family Special. This special deal includes $20.00 admission rates for adults and free admission for any individual 17 and under (accompanied by adult). This is the perfect opportunity for you and your family to experience what life was like on a beachfront estate in the 1930s and 1940s while learning about the historic and ecological significance of the property.

The Summer Family 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.

With Fathers Day right around the corner, we could not forget to include a special way for Fathers to feel celebrated this year. On Sunday, June 18th, 2023 fathers will receive free admission to Bonnet House Museum & Gardens with the purchase of one additional ticket. Whether your dad enjoys art, culture, history, or nature, there will be something new for him to learn and enjoy at our estate.

There is so much to look forward to this season at Bonnet House! As the kids are out of school, we hope that you can consider bringing your family to visit our remarkable estate and create lasting memories. To purchase tickets and start planning your next visit, click here.

With April underway, the spring breakers have started arriving in droves to the Sunshine State! While some locals may feel bothered by the increased crowds, it is not at all a surprise that vacationers want to spend the start of the spring season in our beautiful state! Whether you embrace the large crowds this time of year or are looking for more secluded activities, there are so many fun and exciting ways to enjoy the springtime in Florida.

1. Cool down at a natural spring. While Florida’s beaches may be crowded with tourists, spring break is a great opportunity to enjoy some of Florida’s stunning natural freshwater springs. Florida is home to over 700 freshwater springs, including the popular Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Ginnie Springs, Ichetucknee Springs State Park, and Blue Springs Park. These crystal clear waters are the perfect places to cool down, and experience Florida’s most stunning wildlife.

2. Visit a botanical garden. Florida is fortunate enough to boast an incredibly diverse array of plant species. From orchids to hibiscus, to cacti, there are so many plants that can be grown throughout our beautiful state. Because of this variety, outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy strolling through Florida’s many botanical gardens, including those located on the Bonnet House property.

3. Attend a fun festival. Springtime signals the start of the festival season in Florida. Whether you’re interested in music, art, culture, food, or alcohol, Florida has a festival for everyone to enjoy. Popular festivals in Florida this spring include Epcot’s International Flower & Garden Festival, the Plant City Strawberry Festival, Marco Island Seafood & Music Festival, and Carnival Miami.

4. Go kayaking or paddle boarding through our scenic waterways. There are so many ways to enjoy Florida’s beautiful water without being at the beach. Kayaking and paddle boarding are the perfect ways to stay cool on the water, while also getting some exercise! In fact, Bonnet House Museum & Gardens has partnered with Fort Lauderdale Adventures to offer visitors the opportunity to kayak or paddle board through our Coconut Cove. To learn more about this fantastic opportunity, and book your experience, click here.

Whether you’re a tourist or a local, there are so many amazing ways to enjoy the springtime in Florida. We hope that you and your loved ones have the opportunity to visit this season and experience what our state has to offer. To learn more about visiting Bonnet House Museum & Gardens during your trip, click here.

There is always something new and interesting to look forward to at Bonnet House Museum & Gardens – and this spring season is no exception. This month, we are excited to announce the start of our colored pencil drawing and painting workshop, as well as a brand new lecture series. For those interested in art, history, and architecture, these programs are a must!

Here at Bonnet House, we believe that it’s never too late to learn a new skill. If you’re interested in creating beautiful works of art, but don’t have years of experience, consider attending our upcoming Colored Pencil & Painting Workshop with instructor, Galal Ramadan. Galal has written many articles published in Colored Pencil Art Magazines and has been in solo national and international exhibitions. He was born in Alexandria, Egypt, and now resides and teaches in Florida.

This 4-week workshop will take place on Saturdays, April 15th, 22nd, May 6th and 13th from 9:30am-12:30pm. This workshop is $160 for Bonnet House members, and $175 for non-members. To learn more, and register for this popular workshop, click here.

Additionally, on April 17th, we are excited to present this newly added lecture and screening to our Speaker Series honoring pathbreaking Orlando architects Ida Annah Ryan and Isabel Roberts. The program will feature an introduction by Claire Vickery, Founder of Grace Arts Center and producer of the 2022 short documentary film, “Pavilion on the Water.”

The film is about Frank Lloyd Wright’s first female employee, Isabel Roberts, who eventually closed FLW’s Oak Park Chicago office and moved to Florida to join another female architect, Ida Ryan, who was the first to receive an architecture degree in the U.S. and the first from MIT to also graduate with an architectural engineering certificate. Their firm was commissioned by the City of Orlando to design a futuristic pavilion in the middle of Lake Eola in 1924 and their work was part of the City Beautiful Movement championed by Orlando long before the arrival of the amusement parks.

This lecture will be offered in person and virtually via Zoom. This event is free for Bonnet House members, and $5 for nonmembers. To learn more about this documentary and what you can expect from our speaker series, click here.

This spring, there are so many fun and exciting events coming up at Bonnet House Museum & Gardens. We are incredibly thrilled to be able to provide such unique opportunities to learn more about art, and the individuals that have made such a large impact on our community. We hope that you take the time to explore our events calendar and attend one of our many interesting events or programs this season.

At Bonnet House, our talented team of staff and volunteers make up a tight-knit family with common passions for history, art, nature, and more. We care deeply about the estate, and believe that it’s preservation benefits not only the individuals who visit, but the entire Fort Lauderdale community. It is through our volunteers and their efforts that we are able to maintain the integrity and beauty of this unique historical estate, and ensure a pleasant and enjoyable experience for each guest.

Our volunteers come from a variety of backgrounds, ranging from biochemistry to banking, and law to photography. Many have been with us for over two decades, and are still enjoying their time here!

At Bonnet House, we value each and every one of our volunteers. We need and desire their continued help, enthusiasm and support of our estate. Without them, the Bonnet House experience would simply not be the same. Whether it’s everyday operations, special evening events, or post-hurricane cleanup,  Bonnet House couldn’t operate as it does without our team of dedicated volunteers.

Volunteers have a variety of different opportunities to serve at Bonnet House. Our available volunteer positions include:

● Lead Guide
● Education Volunteer
● Back-Up Guide
● Nature Trail Interpreters
● Bridge Greeter
● Courtyard Coordinator
● Museum Shop Assistant
● Collections Volunteer
● Research Volunteer
● Data Input
● Handyman Volunteer
● Garden Volunteer

If you have any questions or wish to join our team of volunteers at Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, please call (954) 703-2606 or click here.

If you are an outdoor enthusiast, there is no place better than sunny South Florida. With warm weather year-round, South Florida is the perfect place to experience all that nature has to offer. Here at Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, we embrace the outdoors and the beauty of the unique landscape that surrounds us. Our estate is not only a great place to enjoy art and history, but guests also have the opportunity to view an abundance of native flora and fauna that call our property home.

It may be surprising to some that the Bonnet House estate contains five distinct, separate 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 no matter the season.

If you’re interested in learning more about the specific birds that can be found in South Florida and around the Bonnet House property, you can sign up for our popular Birding Class on March 5th, 2023. This class will teach you a 10-step approach to increase your ability to identify birds such as family groups, behavior, silhouette, habitat, field marks, commonality, seasonality, and more. The class will include an informative PowerPoint, numerous handouts, a workshop activity, and a walk around the garden to look for birds. To learn more about this event and sign up, click here.

If birding and bird watching aren’t your cup of tea, there are still so many opportunities to enjoy and appreciate nature and forestry at Bonnet House. As part of the five distinct ecosystems on our property, Bonnet House is home to a native maritime forest. Maritime forests are shoreline estuaries that grow along coastal barrier islands that support a great diversity of unique plants and animals.

If you are interested in spending time in and learning more about the native maritime forest on our property, Bonnet House offers specialized Forest Bathing classes throughout the springtime. On March 26th, 2023, guests will have the opportunity to join Don Oprea in the Bonnet House Hammock and relax among the trees. In this class, guests will be able to listen to the sounds and enjoy the sights of nature. To learn more and register for this class, click here.

Here at Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, we couldn’t feel luckier to be situated in such a pristine location. We hope that you and your loved ones are able to join us as you spend time in the great outdoors this year. To plan your next visit to the Bonnet House estate, click here.