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Preserving Bonnet House

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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 porterweed, 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.

Oil/Acrylic Painting Workshop – February

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Oil/Acrylic Painting Workshop with Opie

Learn how to create beautiful images with oil/acrylic paint. Basic oil/acrylic techniques such as underpainting, glazing, composition, and the use of light and color will be covered.  All artists welcome.  These six-week sessions will take place with artist Bonnie Opie on the historic Bonnet House estate.

Tuesdays, February 20 – March 26, 2024, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm

Cost: Bonnet House Members $190 Members, Non-members $220 (All sales are final and non-refundable)  

Register Here!

Artists & Artwork at Bonnet House

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Bonnet House has had a long and varied history since its establishment in 1920. But today, the estate is a preeminent house museum dedicated not only to historic and environmental preservation but also to learning and creative expression. Both Frederic and Evelyn Bartlett were highly artistic individuals and ensured that art was featured prominently inside their estate. Today, guests have the opportunity to experience firsthand the artwork that so inspired the Bartlett family.

Both Frederic Clay Bartlett and Evelyn Fortune Bartlett were highly esteemed artists. Frederic’s work displayed at Bonnet House was influenced mostly by Impressionism and Post-Impressionism. He worked on mural projects in conjunction with American architects such as Howard Van Doren Shaw, and his easel work was acquired for the collections of several well-respected institutions including The Carnegie Institute in Pittsburgh and the National Museum of American Art. Guests can find examples of his easel art displayed in the Bonnet House studio. Frederic’s murals and faux painting can also be found throughout the Main House.

But despite Frederic’s talents in creating art and collecting art, he often commented that his greatest artistic discovery was the innate talent possessed by his third wife, Evelyn Bartlett. With little formal training but a great deal of encouragement from Frederic, Evelyn began painting in 1933. For the next five years, she painted prolifically, and her work was featured in well-received gallery exhibits in cities such as Boston, New York, and Indianapolis. Today, guests can find Evelyn’s works proudly featured in Bonnet House’s Carl J. Weinhardt Gallery.

While enjoying the beautiful paintings on display at Bonnet House, don’t forget that the estate itself is a carefully crafted work of art in and of itself. After Frederic married Evelyn, the couple worked hard to add decorative embellishments throughout the estate in order to bring out the best in both the building and the natural environment surrounding the estate.

Next time you and your family are in the downtown Fort Lauderdale area, be sure to include a trip to the Bonnet House estate. You’ll be sure to find inspiration, and tranquility as you enjoy the artwork, and take in the natural scenery. To plan your next visit, click here or call (954) 563-5393.

Calligraphy Workshop – Basics

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Introduction to Copperplate Calligraphy with Monica Rachel Gordon

This beginner workshop will introduce you to the traditional and widely popular “Copperplate” script calligraphy, which is an elegant and formal cursive style of pointed pen calligraphy that originated in the 18th century and evolved from English Roundhand.

Monica will give you a strong foundation of the basic techniques from A to Z. We will be using a pen with a flexible steel nib dipped in ink to achieve the delicate hairlines and thick shades that create this beautiful and classic script. Whether you are an absolute beginner or an experienced calligrapher looking to learn a new style, all levels are welcome!


Five Week Workshop
Tuesdays, January 23 – February 20, 2024
11:00 am – 2:00 pm

$220 members / $240 non-members (All sales are final and non-refundable)
Materials included.

Fine Artists’ Summer Series at Frame ‘n Art by the Sea Gallery

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George Rusovick, The Shell Museum

Bonnet House Museum & Gardens in collaboration with Frame ‘n Art by the Sea Gallery present The Fine Artists’ Summer Series featuring works from the Bonnet House Fine Artists. The first of four exhibitions opens Thursday, June 15 at 5:30pm with a free wine and cheese reception. The four exhibitions will feature works of various media including watercolor, oil, acrylic and photography and a percentage of all art sale proceeds will benefit Bonnet House and its programs. The exhibitions are scheduled to run from June 15 through October 19. All four exhibitions are free and open to the public and will include raffle, a wine & cheese reception and beautiful art. The receptions for each show will begin at 5:30pm on the first night of each exhibition.

The exhibitions schedule is as follows:

First Exhibition: Thursday, June 15 – Thursday, July 20

Second Exhibition: Thursday, July 20 – Thursday, August 17

Third Exhibition: Thursday, August 17 – Thursday, September 21

Fourth Exhibition: Thursday, September 21 – Thursday, October 19

Frame ‘n Art by the Sea Gallery is located at 229A E. Commercial Blvd., Lauderdale By The Sea, FL 33308. For more information, please contact Frame ‘n Art by the Sea Gallery at (954) 267-9202 or http://framenartbythesea.com/.

Orchid, Garden & Gourmet Food Festival

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Bonnet House Museum & Gardens will be blooming during its Orchid, Garden and Gourmet Food Festival featuring the 7th Annual Orchid and Exotic Plant Sale December 7th and 8th from 9:00am to 4:00pm! With free parking and a $10 entry fee for members and $12 fee for non-members- plant lovers and orchid enthusiasts will have the opportunity to see and buy an exclusive selection of orchids and exotic plants.

In addition to the unique collection of exotic orchids and plants sold by over 40 local vendors, the two-day event will feature gourmet food trucks, libations, orchid care lectures, cooking and gardening demonstrations, a silent auction display, live music and a farmer’s market.

The event will take place Saturday and Sunday, December 7th and 8th from 9:00am to 4:00pm.  The entry fee is $10 for members and $12 for non-members for the fair and grounds and an additional fee of $8 for the self-guided tour through the house. Tickets will be available online at www.bonnethouse.org beginning in October.

Event Features:

Orchid Displays & Silent Auction – Various orchid displays created by the participating vendors will be available for auction.
Gourmet Food Trucks – Food trucks throughout the property offering edible bites.
Wine, Beer, Mimosa’s & Bloody Mary’s– Enjoy an invigorating mixture as you wander through the garden.
Orchid and Exotic Plants – Featuring over 40 vendors including tropicals, fruit trees, bamboo, butterfly garden plants and much more.
Orchid Supplies – Vendors to provide all you need to plant and grow orchids.
Garden Art – Attractive and unusual orchid and/or garden related items from several vendors.
Lectures – Educational lectures by Home Depot on caring for your garden and how-to demonstrations by Whole Foods Market on preparing healthy meals for the entire family.
Dillard High School Art Exhibit- NatureScapes @ Bonnet House. Beautiful works of art inspired by the Bonnet House Estate will be on display in the newly renovated Island Theater.  Reception scheduled for Sunday, December 8 at 2pm.  Exhibition will run Saturday, December 7, 2013– Sunday, January 5, 2014.
Marando Farms Green Market – Herbs, organic fruit and vegetables and helpful tips on gardening will be available.
Self-guided Tours of the House and Grounds – Stroll through the grounds and house at your leisure and experience the charm and beauty of the Bonnet House estate.
Rest Areas – Where you can sit and relax in the shade.
The Bonnet House Museum Shop – Near the main house, offers a unique choice of interesting books, jewelry and array of gift items.
Lots of Free parking – The entrance to the parking lot is on N. Birch Road off of Sunrise Blvd. between A1A and the Intracoastal Waterway.

Newly added Behind the Scenes Tours

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Visitors will participate in a VIP experience at Bonnet House Museum & Gardens beginning Wednesday, November 13, 2013 at 2pm. Bonnet House will be offering new Behind the Scenes – Private Living Quarters Tours. Take a sneak peek inside normally-closed areas of Evelyn and Frederic Bartlett’s private living quarters. Tours are led by our seasoned Bonnet House docents and will be offered the second and fourth Wednesday of each month from 2pm – 3pm for only $20 per person. Visitors will enjoy rooms not seen on our other tours.

The tour is offered in groups of 10 to allow for questions and discussion. Limited reservations available, pre-registration required. Please note, the ability to climb stairs is necessary to fully participate in the tour.  A video presentation at ground level will accommodate those guests unable to climb stairs.

Visit us at https://bonnethouse.org/hours-fees/ or contact Linda Schaller at (954) 703-2606 or [email protected].

Bonnet House Museum & Gardens’ “Viva Florida 500 Best in Show Series”

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Bonnet House museum & Gardens’ “Viva Florida 500 Best in Show Series”, continues at Gallery 928 with its second opening reception featuring Bonnet House Fine Artists, Marilyn Johansen, Flor Lecht, Debi Liptak, Louis Mezian, Debbie Rubin and Tricia Rutsis.

The Viva Florida 500 Best in Show Series is a celebration of Ponce de Leon discovering La Florida, and the works selected for this series are inspired by 500 years of Florida history which include abstract as well as realistic interpretations.

This exhibition will include works of various media including, watercolor, oil, photography and collage.  A percentage of all art sale proceeds will benefit Bonnet House programs.  The series includes a total of four exhibitions running from June 20 through November 3.  All exhibitions include wine and cheese reception from 6-8pm with raffle and are free and open to the public.  Attendees will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite piece at each show. All receptions will begin at 6:00pm on the first night of each exhibition with announcement of Best in Show from the previous exhibition.

The series schedule is as follows:

Third Exhibition: Thursday, August 29 – Wednesday, September 29

Fourth Exhibition: Thursday, October 3 – Wednesday, November 3

 

Gallery 928 is located at 928 NE 20th Avenue in Fort Lauderdale just east of Gateway Plaza next to Serafina Restaurant.  For more information, please contact Monica Estevez at (954) 703-2614.

Bonnet House museum & Gardens – 900 North Birch Road, Fort Lauderdale 33304
Open for tours Tuesday – Sunday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
www.bonnethouse.org

Orchid Care Classes Offered at Bonnet House

By Bonnet House Blog, Classes & Workshops, Events No Comments

Come out and learn how to properly care for and maintain your orchid with Bonnet House’s Orchid Care Classes.  On September 28 from 10am – 12pm, Bonnet House will be offering its final orchid care class covering Pest and Disease Control.   This class will be followed by a tour of the orchid greenhouse, lathe house and display house.  Orchid supplies will be available for purchase at all classes and students will receive a Bonnet House ‘baby’ orchid seedling.  Help your orchid live and bloom all year long with our help.

This is the final orchid care class of the summer, so you don’t want to miss out!

The cost of each class is $30 for members and $35 for non-members.  For more information or to Register, visit www.bonnethouse.org or contact Linda Schaller at [email protected] or (954) 703-2606.

Bonnet House museum & Gardens – 900 North Birch Road, Fort Lauderdale 33304
Open for tours Tuesday – Sunday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
www.bonnethouse.org