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A Visitor Guide To Bonnet House Tours

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Here at Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, there is so much to see! As the name suggests, our estate includes both an indoor museum area, in addition to vast outdoor garden trails. As guests explore Bonnet House, we do our best to ensure that everyone is able to see and learn as much on their visit as possible. However, from the beautiful flora and fauna that occupy our expansive gardens, to the grand design of the historic home, it can be easy to miss some important areas. To help our guests make the most of their visit, we have compiled a list of a few things everyone should expect to see and experience at Bonnet House Museum & Gardens!

Constructed in 1920 on 35-acres of a native barrier island ecosystem, and included on the National Register of Historic Places, Bonnet House is one of the few complete homes and studios of two American artists that is open to the public. The Main House is filled with a collection of art and the personal treasures of the Birch and Bartlett families. Since Bonnet House’s construction, much of the natural barrier island habitat has been lost to commercial development. But a walk along our nature trails will transport guests back in time to experience a rare piece of old South Florida.

Upon arriving to Bonnet House, guests will enter through the welcome center to purchase tickets. The cost to enter is $20 for adult admission and $16 for children ages 6-12 years old (children under six are free). Our hours of operation are 9:00am – 4:00pm Tuesday – Sunday. Guided tours are available daily at 9:30am, 10:30am, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, 2:30pm, and 3:30pm. For our guests that would only prefer to take a self guided tour of our gardens, $10 tickets can be purchased at the front office as well. Reservations are not required for these general admission tours.

After tickets have been purchased, guests will walk past the Boat House, fruit grove, and the caretakers cottage (currently our gift shop) before arriving at the Main House. The guided house tours begin at the front door, but guests are free to explore the gardens until their tour begins. Inside the Main House, guests will get to experience Frederic Bartlett’s interpretation of a Caribbean-style plantation home, and learn about the estate details, as well as the unique lives of Frederic and Evelyn Bartlett.

But there is so much more to the estate than just the Main House and garden trails. Across from the entrance to the Main House is our Shell Museum Complex, containing shells from around the world, an Orchid House and the Bartlett’s private Bamboo Bar. This complex contains hundreds of shells from all over the world, and displays one of the largest orchid collections in the US. Also on the property is an Island Theater with special exhibitions, two additional orchid houses, and even a small barn containing a restored 1935 Case “CC’ tractor!

It isn’t just the history that makes Bonnet House such a popular attraction. There are so many picturesque locations throughout our gardens that should not be missed. Overlooking the Lily Pond is our beautiful Pavillion, where the Bartletts would often entertain guests. Also on the property is a spectacular fountain, added in 1942. It is located at the end of our tree-lined allee and is constructed entirely of marble.

Whether you are a first time guest or a Bonnet House member, there is always something new to discover at our beautiful estate. If you have any additional questions about visiting Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, please call (954) 563-5393.

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].

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].

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

Cool Saturdays Summer Special at Bonnet House Museum & Gardens

By Bonnet House Blog, Events, News No Comments

End your summer at half the price at Bonnet House Museum & Gardens.  Saturdays have been cool at Bonnet House this summer, and our final Cool Saturday Summer Special will be September 21.  Visitors can explore the whimsical house where fish sculptures rise in the air, shells have their own museum and shady nature trails invite you to search for playful monkeys in the trees ad majestic swans in the fresh water lakes.  Admission is $10 for adults and free for children 12 and under from 9 am to 4pm on this day.  To end this summer special, visitors will have the opportunity to feast on their food of choice from a bevy of food trucks that will be onsite for everyone to enjoy from 10am – 3pm.

The final date is September 21.  Tour admission is always free for Bonnet House members.  Visit www.bonnethouse.org for updated information and additional summer events including Viva 500 Best in Show Series featuring works from local artists inspired by 500 years of Florida history.

About Bonnet House: The mission of Bonnet House Museum & Gardens is to preserve, interpret and share the unique and eclectic historical legacy – artistic, architectural and environmental – of the Bartlett and Birch families.  We inspire in our diverse audiences and appreciation for creative expression, historic preservation and environmental conservation, while enhancing the educational, cultural and economic growth of the community

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

Corporate Events and Meetings

By Bonnet House Blog, Events, Uncategorized No Comments

Bonnet House offers a beautiful and unique setting for corporate affairs and cocktail receptions. Beginning with the first impression at the main entrance, your guests will experience a night to remember.  Become inspired by the innovative architecture, rich history, original artwork, and lush gardens.  Experience the beauty and history of our facilities that combine the grandeur of the past with amenities of today.  In compliment to the natural vegetation, the grounds contain a Desert Garden composed of arid plantings, a hibiscus garden, and the main courtyard planted with tropical vegetation.  Bonnet House is a unique space for events, with open areas appropriate for any meeting.

Located in the center of Fort Lauderdale, Bonnet House is a culturally and historically rich venue with modern amenities and a private parking lot, making it a choice destination to accommodate any event.  Bonnet House limits the number of private events. Dates are reserved based on availability when accompanied by your rental deposit.

trump pixs 036 Bonnet House Museum & Garden History Photo New Image-1

For additional information or give us a call at (954) 703-2608.

Price Range: $1,000 – $5,500
Use of Estate for Photography: Yes
Preferred Caterers: Yes
Renters Insurance Required: Yes
Membership Required: Yes
On the Water: Yes
Tented Area: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Onsite Parking: Yes
Transportation from Parking Lot: Yes
Capacity: Up to 350
 

Corporate-Event-Rates

2013/2014 Programs & Events

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

The Bonnet House Museum & Gardens 2013/2014 season is highlighted with a variety of exciting programs and events. We will be offering art classes in the Bonnet House gardens with Karen Eskesen and Nia Nakis, calligraphy and zentangle workshops with Tony Patucci and Shawn Hayden as well as our annual Concerts Under the Stars series from January through April and the 7th Annual Orchid, Garden & Gourmet Food Festival the first weekend in December.

Orchid Care Classes, Individual classes, September 28 (Diagnosing Pests & Diseases), January 11 (Orchid Basics), February 8 (Repotting & Mounting) and February 22 (Diagnosing Pests & Diseases), 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Join Bonnet House Orchid Curators, Sandy Jones and Tom Wells in the historic Bonnet House Island Theater.  To register call the Bonnet House Education Department at 954-703-2606. Cost: Bonnet House Members $30, non-members $35.

Birding Classes, Individual Classes, November 2, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. (Ascend to Better Birding), February 2, 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. (Bird Behavior for Easy ID), March 1, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. (Birds are Creatures of Habitat).

Join birder extraordinaire, Paddy Cunningham on the historic Bonnet House estate. To register call the Bonnet House Education Department at 954-703-2606. Cost: Bonnet House Members $20, non-members $25.

orchidOrchid, Garden & Gourmet Food Festival, December 7 & 8, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Featuring the 7th Annual Orchid and Exotic Plant Sale. Orchids, Exotics, Tropicals, Herbs, Fruit Trees, Garden Art, Gourmet Food Trucks, Libations, Gardening Lectures, Cooking Demos, Orchid Displays, Silent Auction, Live Music, Farmer’s Market and Much More!!

To purchase tickets visit www.bonnethouse.org or call 954-703-2614. Cost: Bonnet House Members $10, non-members $12.

Watercolor in the Gardens, Six-week sessions: January 8 – February 12 or February 26 – April 2, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. or 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Join fine artist and watercolorist, Karen Eskesen in the historic Bonnet House gardens.  Workshop includes traditional techniques of realism in watercolor and line drawing and time to paint in the gardens.  To register call the Bonnet House Education Department at 954-703-2606. Cost: Bonnet House Members $120, non-members $150.

Acrylic in the Gardens, Six-week sessions: January 9 – February 13 or February 26–April 2, 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. or 1 p.m.–4 p.m. Join Fine Artist Nia Nakis in the historic Bonnet House gardens. Workshop includes basic principles of acrylic painting and time to paint in the gardens. To register call the Bonnet House Education Department at 954-703-2606. Cost: Bonnet House Members $120, non-members $150.

Calligraphy with Tony Pastucci, Five-week sessions: January 14 – February 11 or February 25 – March 25, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Join artist, Tony Pastucci on the historic Bonnet House estate.  Workshop includes basic principles of calligraphy.  To register call the Bonnet House Education Department at 954-703-2606. Cost: Bonnet House Members $100, non-members $125.

Zentangle with Shawn Ann Hayden, Three-week sessions: January 14 – 28, February 11 – 25 or March 4 – 18, 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Join Certified Zentangle specialist, Shawn Ann Hayden in the historic Bonnet House Island Theater.  Workshop includes basic principles of Zentangle, a way of creating beautiful images from repetitive patterns.  To register call the Bonnet House Education Department at 954-703-2606. Cost: Bonnet House Members $105, non-members $120.

New ImageConcerts Under the Stars, January 23, February 13, March 13 & April 10, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
The finest young talent in South Florida will be performing at Bonnet House’s Young Artist Music Series this winter. Concerts under the stars on the beautiful Bonnet House estate include wine, dessert and coffee in the ticket price. The evening’s activities take place in and around the house with the concert taking place on the veranda lawn beneath the moon and stars. To purchase tickets visit www.bonnethouse.org or call 954-703-2614. Cost: Bonnet House Members $35 and up, non-members $40 and.  Series tickets are also available.

Entirely Entertaining, February 24, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. An elegant luncheon with uniquely individualized table designs presented by our Bonnet House Alliance. To register or for more information call 954-772-7429.

Impressions: A Juried Art Exhibit, March 6, 6 p.m. Lavish Opening Reception
Impressions is an annual juried art competition with fine food, fine wines and fine friends amid the Old Florida charm of Bonnet House. To submit your artwork, register or for more information visit www.bonnethouse.org or call 954-703-2614.

52 Artists Selected for Impressions: A Juried Art Exhibit 2013

By Bonnet House Blog, News No Comments

Fifty-two artists from around the world will flock to historic Bonnet House Museum & Gardens on Thursday, March 7th to participate in the 13th Annual Impressions: A Juried Art Exhibit and Fundraiser benefiting the historic estate. Impressions is a well-respected, annual exhibition of artistic talent, reflecting the world’s architectural, natural and cultural themes.

The fifty-two artists chosen to participate in the exhibition hail from all over the world and work in a wide variety of media and styles. One of the inspirations for Impressions artists was Bonnet House and its surrounding lush landscape.  Many of the artists were able to work on the grounds of Bonnet House, and visitors to Bonnet House had the opportunity to see these artists at work.

Daina Stabulniece, chair of painting and drawing for the Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale, will be this year’s juror. This is Ms. Stabulniece’s first stint as juror for the exhibit. Kathleen Lowe, Vice President of Marketing and Development for Best Roofing and Scott LaMont Principal of EDSA are co-chairing this year’s Impressions opening.

Impressions: A Juried Art Exhibit is set to open with a private showing for V.I.P. guests starting at 5:00pm.  V.I.P. guests will be treated to champagne and hors d’oeuvres, preview the exhibition, and partake in a rare viewing of the exclusive private living quarters of Evelyn and Frederic Bartlett, Bonnet House’s former owners.  The reception opens to members of the public at 6:00 p.m.

Admission for the opening of Impressions is $200 for VIPs at 5:00 p.m. and $150 for general admission at 6:00 p.m.  Attendance is by reservation only by visiting us online at https://bonnethouse.org/impressions/ or by calling (954) 703-2614. Bonnet House is located at 900 N. Birch Road, Fort Lauderdale, 33304.

About the Bonnet House Museum & Gardens: Accredited by the American Association of Museum and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Bonnet House Museum & Gardens is a 35 – acre subtropical estate and historic house museum located in the heart of Fort Lauderdale.  Bonnet House, in addition to being open for guided public tours six days per week, year round, offers a myriad of specially-designed programs for schools, adults and families. Bonnet House also has membership opportunities that include an annual pass to the estate and a program geared to local artists. Music students from nearby universities and opera companies gain experience through their performances on property in the annual Young Artist Music Series and orchid enthusiasts have an opportunity to see and buy an exclusive selection of orchids as well as learn how to grow and care for orchids in their own homes during the Orchid, Garden & Gourmet Food Festival, the first weekend in December of every year. The mission of Bonnet House Museum & Gardens is to preserve, interpret and share the unique and eclectic historical legacy – artistic, architectural and environmental – of the Bartlett and Birch families, inspiring in our diverse audiences an appreciation for creative expression, historic preservation and natural conservation, while enhancing the educational, cultural and economic growth of the community.