Bonnet House Museum

Fort Lauderdale, Fl

October 4th

Looking for a serene getaway this weekend?  Look no more, head over to the Bonnet House Museum located at 900 North Birch Road.  This is the last weekend they are offering their Cool Saturday’s promotion which entitles you to a great discounted price of $10.00 for adults and children 12 and under free.  It will be open from 11:00am until 3:00pm for your enjoyment.The Bonnet House Museum is a 35 acre historic estate that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and accredited by the American Association of Museums. It is located right here in Fort Lauderdale Beach and is an exceptional venue for its art, nature and history.  It is a well preserved historic house museum nestled amongst all of the high-rise developments on this barrier island forest of South Florida.

The Bonnet house was purchased by Hugh Taylor Birch in 1895.  The property had been a part of Florida’s history for the previous 4,00 years. Dating back to 2,000 B.C. there is indication that the Tequesta people had activity here.  Archaeological evidence provides proof that the grounds were one of the first places the Spanish had communication in the New World.

The Museum’s property was given to Birch’s daughter, Helen, as a wedding gift in 1919 with her husband Frederic Clay Bartlett, who was an artist from Chicago.  Beginning their new life together, in 1920, they started the construction of the Bonnet House.  Looking forward to a retreat from the cold, harsh winters of Chicago, they travelled here so Helen could pursue her composition of music and poetry, while Frederic could focus on his artwork.  Misfortune came in 1925, when Helen died from breast cancer.  The home was only visited occasionally  in the years that followed her death.  In 1931, he wed Evelyn Fortune Lilly and together they turned the Bonnet House into what it represents today.   Frederic passed away in 1953, but with Evelyn’s adoration of  this piece of serenity, she returned each winter, eventually donating  the Bonnet House to the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation in 1983, making the largest charitable contribution in Florida’s history.

You can stroll through this beautiful historical home and explore where the ancient Tequesta Indians and early European pilgrims settled. With all of its beautiful gardens, you’ll also witness America’s most exquisite displays of orchids.

So come with your friends or family and consume all the history this place has to offer.