By Bonnet House Intern, Maria Formoso
My name is Maria Formoso, and I am a senior at the University of Central Florida majoring in History with a minor in Education. This fall, I will begin the Master of Arts in Teaching program at UCF with a focus on social studies education. As part of my undergraduate studies, I’ve had the privilege of completing my history internship at Bonnet House Museum & Gardens; a meaningful opportunity that brought me back to my hometown of Fort Lauderdale and allowed me to contribute to one of the city’s most historic spaces.
Throughout my time at Bonnet House, I have worked closely with Curator of Collections Katie Valli on several projects, the most significant of which was the creation of the Helen Birch Bartlett Memorial Exhibit. This special display, now located in the Music Room, honors the 100th anniversary of Helen’s passing and highlights her creative life, her connection to Bonnet House, and her broader cultural legacy.
The exhibit is made up of three key components:
- A freestanding interpretive panel featuring mounted text and archival photographs that introduce visitors to Helen’s story.
- A table display containing original items such as handwritten sheet music, personal letters, and books Helen signed and owned.
- A repurposed travel trunk containing a reproduction copy of Helen’s poetry book, Capricious Winds, available for guests to browse and enjoy.
Over the course of several weeks, I was responsible for researching, drafting, and designing much of the exhibit’s content. I reviewed archival materials, selected objects for display, created a visual layout for the signage, and helped install the physical exhibit elements.
One of the most memorable aspects of the process was the hands-on nature of the work, whether it was mounting signage to foam board, handling original photographs with gloves, or learning about preservation techniques while preparing Helen’s travel trunk. These details, often unseen by the public, are essential to creating thoughtful, accessible exhibits that protect and elevate historical narratives.
Now that the memorial exhibit is complete and open to the public, I’m proud to know that my work will contribute to how Bonnet House visitors experience Helen’s legacy. It’s been incredibly rewarding to help bring her story to life in the same home where she once lived, learned, and created.
I’m incredibly grateful to Curator Katie Valli for her guidance and mentorship throughout this project, and to the entire Bonnet House team for welcoming me so warmly. This internship has been a truly formative experience, and I’m thankful to have contributed to preserving and sharing the history of such a special place.
The Helen Birch Bartlett Memorial Exhibit is located in the Music Room and will be on view for one year. We invite you to visit during museum hours:
Tuesday–Friday: 11:00 AM–3:00 PM
Saturday–Sunday: 11:00 AM–4:00 PM
