Lush gardens, ornate architecture, and whimsical art collected by an eclectic couple—the Bonnet House Museum & Gardens in Fort Lauderdale is a must-visit estate. Bringing together art, nature, and history, everyone under the sun will find something they enjoy at this storied locale.
What to Expect
For most of its history, the Bonnet House Museum & Gardens was the winter escape for artists Frederic Clay Bartlett and his third wife, Evelyn Fortune Bartlett. The two filled their estate with their own paintings and works of art collected from their travels around the world, which can be seen in the studio and on the walls throughout the Main House. Look closely at the floors and walls—instead of buying marble, Frederic painstakingly painted details veining throughout to mimic the stone.
For most of its history, the Bonnet House Museum & Gardens was the winter escape for artists Frederic Clay Bartlett and his third wife, Evelyn Fortune Bartlett. The two filled their estate with their own paintings and works of art collected from their travels around the world, which can be seen in the studio and on the walls throughout the Main House. Look closely at the floors and walls—instead of buying marble, Frederic painstakingly painted details veining throughout to mimic the stone.
Outside, the gardens are more than a tranquil escape from city life; they are one of the last native barrier island habitats in South Florida. The property includes five ecosystems: Atlantic Ocean beach and primary dune, a freshwater slough, secondary dune, mangrove wetlands, and a maritime forest. Thanks to these natural wonders, migratory birds and full-time avian residents make their way to the property each year. Evelyn was an enthusiastic orchid collector, and the property’s Orchid Display House features a large collection.
Throughout the year, the Bonnet House hosts special events such as the Orchid Festival, a five-night Holiday Magic soiree, rotating outdoor and indoor art exhibits, birding workshops, art classes, yoga flows, and other activities.
History
The Bonnet House’s story begins in 1919. The property was a gift to Frederic Clay Bartlett and his second wife, Helen Louise Birch, as a wedding present by her father, Hugh Taylor Birch. Helen died five years later from breast cancer, and Frederic remarried in 1931 to Evelyn Fortune Lilly. The couple treated the estate as their winter escape from the cold Chicago weather, turning the home and gardens into a living art gallery with their own works and pieces they collected from their travels.
Recognize the Birch name? Just north of the estate is Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, a 180-acre refuge from the hustle and bustle of city life.
An artist, Frederic worked alongside prominent architects to create murals. His works can be seen not only at the Bonnet House but also at the Carnegie Institute and the Art Institute of Chicago. Evelyn was a self-taught artist, and visitors to the house could watch her skills improve from one canvas to the next. Eventually, her artwork would be displayed in major galleries in Boston, New York, and Indianapolis.
Frederic died in 1955, but Evelyn would continue making the annual winter pilgrimage to the Bonnet House until 1995. In 1984, she donated the house to the state of Florida to ensure that it would be preserved and enjoyed for generations; at the time, it was the largest charitable gift in the state’s history. She died in 1997 at the age of 109, but thanks to her foresight, the Bonnet House and Gardens are visited by more than 70,000 guests each year.
Address and Contact
Bonnet House Museum & Gardens
900 N. Birch Road, Fort Lauderdale
954-563-5393
bonnethouse.org
Hours
Self-guided tours are available Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Guided tours are Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., and Saturdays at 10 a.m. They last about 90 minutes.
The museum is closed on Mondays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, and during the Fort Lauderdale Air Show.
Tickets
Admission for self-guided tours is $25 for adults, $8 for guests ages 6 to 17, and children 5 and younger are free. Broward County residents (with ID) are charged $22, or $15 for the gardens only. Bonnet House members are free. Admission for all other guests (with EBT card and valid ID) is $3 per person for up to four people.
Guided tours of the downstairs are $30 for adults and $10 for ages 8 to 16. Guided tours of the upstairs and downstairs are $40.
Parking
There is a free parking lot at the Bonnet House.