Onsite Field Trips and Virtual Learning Programs
Bonnet House Mission Statement:
Celebrating the story of Frederic and Evelyn Bartlett, we preserve the art, history, and nature of Bonnet House, providing inspiration and respite for all.
Our Educational Programming enlivens our Mission Statement while supporting Florida’s B.E.S.T. Standards. Discover our onsite classes, family events, field trips, and Virtual Learning programs featuring South Florida History, Life Sciences, STEM Activities, Art, and Design.
Along our Historical Timeline, walk the footpaths of the Birch and Bartlett families and cross the paths of much earlier inhabitants of this area such as the Tequesta people, who occupied these coastal areas from 2000 BC to 1700 AD. This barrier island was also visited by European explorers around 1500 AD and a House of Refuge was built on the beach here, in 1876, as a shelter for shipwrecked sailors and the Barefoot Mailmen.
Our curated Onsite Field Trips allow Schools to visit, tour, and experience this unique 35-acre natural environment and 103-year-old residence of American Artists Frederic and Evelyn Bartlett.
Pre-Registration is required.
We look forward to seeing you and your students soon!
Onsite Field Trip – School Program Registration Required
IMAGES AND IMPRESSIONS OF THE BONNET HOUSE
Novice or experienced art students will find inspiration at Bonnet House Museum. Owner/artist Frederic Clay Bartlett collected paintings, sculptures, artifacts, and murals that are displayed throughout the property as well as his own works of fine art and decoration. The Bonnet House grounds also provide inspiration from nature, cultural history, design, and architecture. Students use images and their impressions of Bonnet House to create original artwork Follow–up sessions are available.
Cost: $8.00 per student ($1.00 for follow-up visits)
Program Length: 2 hours
AN ECO HERE AND AN ECO THERE
Investigate the various ecosystems of South Florida on the estate’s grounds. Experience firsthand the various ecosystems of South Florida—beach dune, coastal hammock, secondary dune, freshwater slough, and mangrove wetland—at Bonnet House. Walk along the trails and step back in time to experience the influence of geography on the history of Florida. Explore the rare natural habitats of a Florida barrier island. The five ecosystems at Bonnet House provide a habitat for many kinds of wildlife. Students will experiment with water samples, and they’ll learn about Florida’s history.
Cost: $8.00 per student
Program Length: 2 hours
TIME TRAVEL AT BONNET HOUSE – THE MULTICULTURAL PAST
Walk the trails and cross paths of earlier inhabitants of Fort Lauderdale beach—learn how earliest inhabitants, Spanish Explorers, African-Americans, a 19th Century real estate tycoon, two 20th-century artists, and a poet came together through the years to create one of South Florida’s most treasured legacies.
Cost: $8.00 per student
Program Length: 2 hours
THE LAST EGRET
Bonnet House Museum & Gardens presents a unique, exciting program based on Harvey Oyer’s book, The Adventures of Charlie Pierce The Last Egret. This program explores pioneer life as experienced by Charlie, a young boy growing up in the untamed wilderness of Florida. Students will step back in time as they learn colorful tales of Seminoles and early citizens.
Cost: $8.00 per student
Program Length: 2 hours
THE LAST EGRET – BONNET HOUSE WITH STRANAHAN HOUSE
Bonnet House Museum & Gardens and Historic Stranahan House partner to present a unique, exciting program based on Harvey Oyer’s book, The Adventures of Charlie Pierce The Last Egret. This program explores pioneer life as experienced by Charlie, a young boy growing up in the untamed wilderness of Florida. Students will step back in time as they learn colorful tales of Seminoles and early citizens. As ‘pioneers’ students will ‘barter’ for supplies at Frank Stranahan’s Trading Post and participate in hands-on activities including water testing and walking the path of the Barefoot Mailman and butter making and ringing the original bell to call the ferry at Stranahan House. Valuable science lessons include a presentation about the Barrier Island Eco-Systems and its sensitive food chain.
Cost: $14.00 per student
Program Length: 4 hours (including 30-minute lunch break)
AN OLD SOUTH FLORIDA PORTRAIT – BONNET HOUSE WITH STRANAHAN HOUSE
Explore two historic homes of pioneer families from the early 20th century. Examine local history while witnessing the environmental impact on the historical sites of Bonnet House on Fort Lauderdale’s beach and Stranahan House on the New River. Learn how factors such as population growth, human migration, and improved methods of transportation and communication influenced the development of this land and the surrounding area. Students participate in hands-on activities, including water testing and walking the path of the Barefoot Mailman at Bonnet House and butter making and ringing the original bell to call the ferry at Stranahan House.
Cost: $14.00 per student
Program Length: 4 hours (including 30 minute lunch break)
General Information
MAXIMUM: 70 students per day (multiple days can be booked through the school year).
PAYMENT: Fees are due before or on the day of the program (check, credit card, or cash). One classroom teacher and one chaperone for every 10 students are complimentary.
Additional chaperones each pay the student fee.
AUDIENCE: These programs are available to private and public schools, civic organizations and organized home-school groups.
ALL BONNET HOUSE PROGRAMS CAN BE ADJUSTED TO FIT ANY LEVEL & SPECIAL EDUCATION CLASSES.
Picnic tables are available in the shaded grove on Bonnet House property (unsheltered).
All Field Trips to Bonnet House must be confirmed by Linda Schaller, Director of Education.
Download School Education Program Info. Packet
CONTACT:
Education Department of Bonnet House Museum & Gardens (954) 703-2606 or click here.
Funding for this organization is provided in part by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners as recommended by the Broward Cultural Affairs Council and the Children’s Services Board.
Support for Education Programs provided by The William R. Watts Foundation, BBX Capital Foundation, and the Joe Sonken Charitable Trust.
Teachers
COMPLIMENTARY ADMISSION FOR BROWARD COUNTY TEACHERS
BROWARD COUNTY TEACHERS, show your school identification at our Welcome Center and receive a complimentary admission. Any guest you bring with you will receive $1.00 discount off their admission. No other discounts apply.
Public Tour Hours
Self-Guided Tours Using Your Mobile Device: Tuesday – Friday, 11 am – 3 pm, Saturday & Sunday, 11 am – 4 pm.
For more information, please call (954) 703-2606 or click here.
Caught in a Florida Sun Shower Coloring Book
Irene Riley Hart (1924 -2022) Irene began her adolescent years in Fort Lauderdale in the care of her Aunt and Uncle, Arneather and Dewey Hawkins and their children. Together they resided on the estates now known as the Historical sites of Bonnet House Museum and Gardens and Hugh Taylor Birch State Park. Her childhood here is chronicled in Caught in a Florida Sun Shower, a Bonnet House Publication, 2001. We invite you to download this coloring book by clicking on the box below.
Learn more about Mrs. Hart in our School Programs!
Download Bonnet House Coloring Book
