Visit Lauderdale- A Must Stop Is the Bonnet House & Museum [Video]

Why is the Bonnet House & Museum a must stop when you’re in Fort Lauderdale Florida?

There are three great reasons:

1. National Register of Historic Places:

• History: the Bonnet House was built in 1920 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Bonnet House Museum & Gardens is one of the few complete homes and studios of two American artists with original furnishings open to the public.
• The beautiful grounds: Bonnet House Museum & Gardens is a 35-acre subtropical estate and historic house museum located in the heart of Fort Lauderdale.
• It’s a preserve: Bonnet House, Inc. is a nonprofit, 501c3, whose mission is to celebrate the story of Frederic and Evelyn Bartlett, and preserve the art, history, and nature of Bonnet House, providing inspiration and respite for all.

2. Art History:

• Frederic Clay Bartlett 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 collections including: The Carnegie Institute in Pittsburgh, National Museum of American Art, The National Arts Club in New York City, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Detroit Institute of Arts, Antioch University, Cape Ann Historical Association in Gloucester Massachusetts and Colby College in Waterville, Maine.
• Examples of Frederic’s easel art are displayed in the Bonnet House studio and Frederic’s murals and faux painting can be found throughout the Main House. In addition to creating art, Frederic was also an avid art collector.
• Evelyn began painting in 1933.  For five years, she painted prolifically, and her work was featured in well-received gallery exhibits in Boston, New York, and Indianapolis. Evelyn’s works are today displayed in Bonnet House’s Carl J. Weinhardt Gallery.

3. Gardens:

• Bonnet House grounds encompass one of the last examples in South Florida of a native barrier island habitat.
• Five distinct ecosystems can be found on the 35-acre property including the Atlantic Ocean beach and primary dune, a fresh water slough, the secondary dune which includes the house site, mangrove wetlands, and a maritime forest.
• 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.
• Evelyn Bartlett was a passionate orchid collector. Various blooming examples are rotated regularly through the estate’s Orchid Display House.

Seeing is believing…enjoy the video

Open for Self-Guided and Docent led guided tours Tuesdays–Fridays from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. and Saturdays—Sundays from 11 a.m.– 4 p.m. Private events, Specialty Group Tours, Nature guided trail tours, and weddings are a big part of Bonnet House offerings as well.

For more information, please call (954) 563-5393 or visit www.bonnethouse.org.

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