At beautiful, historic Bonnet House, Florida’s amazing and vibrant color palette comes fully to life, taking on even brighter hues. Located on a 35-acre slice of breathtaking waterfront property, this unique house – one of our nation’s most popular historic houses and gardens, and perhaps its most beautiful – magically transports visitors to the days when Florida was one of the nation’s last frontier outposts. And the history experienced here is every bit as colorful as the house and grounds!
Built in the 1920’s by artist and art collector Frederic Clay Bartlett and his wife, Helen, the vibrant and airy Bonnet House estate is embellished with the myriad decorative elements that delight visitors to this day. Bartlett’s artistry, fully reflected throughout the house, amazes visitors with his intricate painted faux marble floors and the spectacular murals on the walls and wood ceilings in major rooms. The estate’s natural coloration is breathtaking as well, with extensive areas of native vegetation – including a hardwood hammock – lovingly preserved, and a marshy area to the east of the house transformed into lagoons. The gardens and winding nature trails surrounding the house, and the wildlife inhabiting the grounds, are every bit as vivid, with swans and other waterfowl gliding in the ponds, and raccoons and even South American squirrel monkeys adding to the multicolored palette.
Come be dazzled by the magical hues, and find out 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.
