Entering the historic Bonnet House Museum & Gardens was like taking a step in time to the 20th century. A tropical oasis planted among the surrounding concrete jungle of South Florida. Lush landscaping surrounded us while lizards darted into cover clearing the way for our intrusion.
A Step Back in Time:
Seeking escape from the hustle and bustle of Chicago, prominent Chicago attorney Hugh Taylor Birch set off to find peace and tranquility. Believing this was his destiny, he bought over three miles of oceanfront property on what is now Fort Lauderdale.
Hugh Taylor Birch gifted this land to his daughter, Helen, when she married Frederic Clay Bartlett. Helen, a musician, composer, and poet, shared her father’s appreciation of nature. Frederic, an artist, craftsman, and designer was the designer of Bonnet House. The name of the House comes from a bonnet lily that grew on the wetland section of the property.
The design accommodated an indoor-outdoor lifestyle, with a sense of whimsy, and included a music room for Helen, and an art studio for Frederic. Tragedy struck in 1925 when Helen died from breast cancer.
In 1931 Frederic married Evelyn Fortune Lilly, ex-wife of pharmaceutical magnate Eli Lilly, and resumed work on Bonnet House. Evelyn, an ardent gardener and animal devotee, influenced the ongoing creation of the property. She grew orchids and among some of the animals she brought to live on the estate were small monkeys. There were once over 30 monkeys roaming the property, now there is only one.
To preserve the property, Evelyn donated it to the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation in 1983. She continued to maintain and winter at Bonnet House till 1995. She passed away at the age of 109 in 1997.
The home’s design on this property resembles a Caribbean plantation house, complete with a central courtyard and a hallway with brightly painted doors, window frames, and ornate railings.
It is now open to guided tours that include its art-filled rooms and studios. The estate includes a music studio, an art studio, and a guest house. The house remains the same today as when Frederick and Evelyn Bartlett lived there.
Art Studio
Frederic Bartlett enjoyed success as an artist and is particularly well known for the murals he created in conjunction with some of the world’s most celebrated architects as well as his easel works. Bartlett later encouraged his third wife, Evelyn, to pick up a paintbrush and she enjoyed success on her own. The results of their creative endeavors are on display in the Art Studio and throughout the Main House.
The main house is built around a beautifully landscaped courtyard with a fountain as its centerpiece.
The Gardens:
Take a stroll through the gardens, where you’ll find a bird habitat and lush plant life. The 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 property including the Atlantic Ocean beach and primary dune, a freshwater slough, the secondary dune which includes the house site, mangrove wetlands, and a maritime forest.
The grounds also contain a Desert Garden composed of arid plantings. The Desert Garden was landscaped by Frederick Bartlett with plants such as yuccas, century plants, silver palms, saw palmetto, and other unusual plants from parts of the world.
Freshwater Slough
On the east side of the house, you find the Bonnet Slough, a pond of fresh water covered by Bonnet Lilies. Sitting on the Chickee Bridge, you can enjoy the water views and observe various water birds and turtles.
Evelyn was also passionate about orchids, and her collection featured 3,000 plants. Blooming varieties are rotated regularly through the bright yellow Orchid Display House.
Museum Shop
On your way out, visit the museum and orchid shop. They offer a wide variety of unique, and quality collectibles. Their merchandise includes art, handmade crafts, collectibles, antiques, clothing, jewelry, beautiful live blooming orchids, and an assortment of other distinctive and delightful gifts! You can also enjoy a lite fare at The Little Cafe located at the Museum Shop. This is where many have seen the monkey hanging around waiting for a bite of your ice cream cone.
Throughout the year, Bonnet House puts on festivals, brunches, art classes, and concerts. It is also a popular place for weddings.
Bonnet House Museum & Gardens 900 N. Birch Rd., Fort Lauderdale, FL
The Bonnet House was part of our Ultimate Weekend in Fort Lauderdale where sun, golden-sand beaches, lush tropical gardens, millionaire mansions, entertainment, and your choice of delicious restaurants make this the perfect weekend getaway.
