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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.

ABC’s “The Bachelor” Features Rose Ceremony Filmed on the Bonnet House Estate

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“The Bachelor’s” Rose Ceremony which was filmed throughout Bonnet House in October aired Monday, January 29 at 8pm.  A number of rooms were featured in the show including the Studio, Master Bedroom, Drawing Room, Dining Room and Music Room along with many shots in the Courtyard.  The group entered through the front door of the historic home, walked into the Courtyard and were escorted to the Studio. All of the group shots as well as the Rose Ceremony took place there in the Studio. The individual shots of Krystal were taken in the Master Bedroom, the private meeting with Lauren and Arie took place in the Drawing Room and the meeting with Chris Harrision and Arie took place just outside in the Courtyard. “All of the rooms were dressed up with lovely vintage furnishings and décor that are not part of the house’s collection,” “It was a pleasure having the crew and the show’s contestants on property,” said Monica Estevez, director of marketing at Bonnet House. “The crew was very professional and a delight to work with and they respected the historic nature of the home and estate.”  Click here to learn more about the history of the estate and view photos.

Bonnet House Seeks Volunteers

By Bonnet House Blog, News No Comments

With five distinct eco-zones and former owners whose interests ranged from art, poetry, and music to natural conservation and organic agriculture, Bonnet House has nurtured eclectic interests for almost ninety-five years.  There’s something for everyone to enjoy here, and the same can be said of our volunteer opportunities.  Looking for something peaceful and quiet?  The courtyard and bridge aren’t that way all the time, but greeting guests there will give you ample opportunity (most days!) to enjoy the natural habitat and gardens.  How about something more active with lots of visitor interaction, reading an audience, and telling a great story?  Guiding house tours might be for you.  How about sales?  The Museum Shop is always in need of extra help.  And no matter which role you choose, you’ll be interacting with other like-minded volunteers who have more passion and interest for the remarkable Bonnet House estate than you can imagine.

To learn more about the many volunteer opportunities at Bonnet House, visit www.bonnethouse.org/opportunities.

Fall is a Good Time to Review Estate Plans…or Create One

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No one likes to think of his or her passing from this world, but death is an event that we all will share in common sooner or hopefully, much later.  Putting together an estate plan can seem daunting, but it is really a fairly simple process for most people.  Not only will it relieve family and friends of sometimes difficult decisions, it is also an empowering process that allows one the opportunity to take control of how assets accumulated in life will pass.  As you begin gathering year end documents for the tax season, fall is also a good time to revisit estate plans—particularly if there has been a major life event in the past year—or to create one if you are currently without a will and/or trust.  If Bonnet House has meant something to you during life, consider leaving a bequest in your estate plan.  For sample language for a bequest to share with your attorney, contact Patrick Shavloske at 954-703-2603 or [email protected].

Movie Night sponsored by Whole Foods Market

By Bonnet House Blog, Events No Comments

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Bonnet House Museum & Gardens will be hosting a movie night on the lawn presented by Whole Foods Market on Thursday, December 12 at 7:00pm. The featured movie will be Elf with Will Ferrell. Need an excuse to get outdoors and enjoy the beautiful Bonnet House Estate? How about a sunset picnic and movie? Bring your beach chair and snacks, Bonnet House will provide beer, wine and free popcorn. The event will take place on the Hibiscus Garden lawn near the Museum Shop, entrance is through the Welcome Center. Don’t miss a wonderful excuse to enjoy cool winter nights with family and friends — come out for this fun event at Bonnet House, compliments of Whole Foods Market Fort Lauderdale! Need directions? The street address for Bonnet House Museum & Gardens — 900 North Birch Road, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304.  Tickets are $12 for adults and $7 for children.

Tickets are available online at https://bonnethouse.org/calendar/ or by calling (954) 703-2614 or emailing [email protected].

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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

By Bonnet House Blog, News, Uncategorized No Comments

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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].

New Orchid Greenhouse Tours Begin October 8

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Beginning October 8, 2013, Bonnet House will be offering special Orchid Greenhouse Tours with Orchid Curator Tom Wells.  These tours have never been offered before, the greenhouses and display house are rarely open to the public. The tours will be offered the second Tuesday of each month from 11am – 12pm for only $20 per person. Our greenhouses and display house hold approximately 1,200 plants in various stages of development. Our Bonnet House Orchid Curator will show you around our greenhouses and discuss how our orchids are bred and cultivated (including our impressive seedling program).  A treat for orchid enthusiasts and novices! Orchid seedlings will be available for purchase.

The tour is offered in groups of 15 to allow for questions and discussion. Limited reservations available, pre-registration is required.  Visit us at https://bonnethouse.org/hours-fees/ or contact Linda Schaller at (954) 703-2606 or [email protected].

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

By Bonnet House Blog, Events, Exhibitions, News No Comments

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