House Map
Welcome Center - House Tour
The Welcome Center and South Gate Ticket House are the only buildings on the property that are not original to the estate. They were added after Bonnet House opened to the public. Restrooms are available in the Welcome Center.To preserve Bonnet House and its collection and as a courtesy to your fellow visitors, we ask that you follow these guidelines during your visit:1. Photography is permitted in the house and courtyard area. However, we ask that you not take video in the rooms.2. The rooms are decorated the way the family left them. All items in the rooms are fragile and over 100 year old parts of the Bonnet House Collection. Please do not touch or lean on furniture and other items in the collection.3. Food, and beverages (other than bottled water) are not permitted in the main house.4. Smoking is not permitted except in the visitor parking lot.
Bridge/Boat House
Your tour begins at the Boat House, situated in the very center of the 35-acre property with the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Intracoastal Waterway to the west. This was the delivery point for building materials brought in by barge during the construction of Bonnet House. It later stored The Bonnet, a 35-foot Richardson vessel the Bartletts used for cruising the Intracoastal Waterway.At the end of the Bridge, the Museum Shop is up the hill to the left where water, a lite lunch and snacks are available. Turn to the right and follow the signs to begin your tour of the Main House. The first stop is the gallery to watch an introductory video about Bonnet House and the family who lived here.
Gallery
(The Introduction Video will be showing)You have arrived at the Carl Weinhardt Gallery, so named in honor of Bonnet House’s first executive director. The DVD that is playing is less than 15 minutes long; it will introduce you to the family who built and lived in Bonnet House.These rooms were originally created as a guesthouse, ensuring the Bartlett’s privacy as their quarters were on the other opposite side of Bonnet House in the Main House.The art on display was created by Evelyn Bartlett. The trim in each room is a different color (Red, Yellow & Blue) and this theme will continue as you go through the house.Exit the Gallery and turn to your right, back to the front of the house to the Front Door.
Outside Front Door
Welcome to Bonnet House! The history of Bonnet House grew from the dreams of two Chicagoans – Hugh Taylor Birch and Frederic Bartlett.The World’s Colombian Exposition of 1893—sometimes known as the Chicago World’s Fair—featured a “Rolling Florida Exhibition,” and this inspired Mr. Birch to visit Florida with thoughts of purchasing some land for a retreat.Frederic on the other hand was inspired by the art and decided to study in Germany at the Royal Academy of Art in Munich.Years later the lives of these two men came together as Frederic married Birch’s daughter, Helen, and Birch gave the newlyweds a house lot to build what is today Bonnet House.
Inside Front Door
Bonnet House was built as a casual beach retreat; private and rustic in comparison to the other homes then being built in South Florida. It was not built as a showcase home, as were the homes built by wealthy men like Vizcaya in Miami, or Whitehall in Palm Beach. The house cannot be singularly described, but its design is well adapted for the climate. It’s an eclectic structure; distinct to Mr. Bartlett’s style… pay close attention to various repeated themes throughout, such as animals, architectural motifs like obelisks, bright colors, and details.Most thresholds in the museum have a slight step and some doorways have ramps (marked with yellow tape), please watch your step as you go in and out of the rooms.As you enter into the courtyard you will see the lush tropical garden. This is the contrast the artist created for entering from the desert garden on the outside. Turn to your left and proceed around the Courtyard to the Studio.The tables around the courtyard were designed by Frederic Bartlett to hold the carved animals that his wife loved to collect. The benches were also designed by Mr. Bartlett so guests could enjoy Florida’s beautiful winter weather—the only time of year when the Bartletts were here.
Outside of the Studio
You have arrived at the Studio. Look up! The philodendron ceiling mural was painted by Frederic Bartlett and the spiral staircase goes to the observation tower where the family could overlook the property and observe the beautiful night sky. For many years this three-story structure was the highest point on the beach. Now enter into the Studio.
Studio
Frederic Bartlett had an art studio at every one of his residences. The Bonnet House Studio stands today much as it was in his time. Frederic’s art supplies and other working materials are on display. He painted in the Studio from 1921 until the early 1950s shortly before his death in 1953. The Studio was situated to take advantage of the light from the large north-facing window. It is not difficult to imagine Frederic at his easel, the fireplace crackling, and the scents of paint and turpentine in the air.Frederic created most of the paintings that hang in this room. The exceptions are the Qajar painting over the fireplace and the painting of the fountain by the door, which was done by Evelyn Bartlett, who was also an artist. Many of the artifacts in the room—some religious—were collected during the Bartletts’ travels, and some served as inspiration for their paintings. The Bartletts weren’t particularly religious but had a passion for surrounding themselves with art and beauty.Please direct your attention to the photographs on the two stand-alone exhibit panels.After his study in Europe in the 1890s, Frederic Bartlett returned to Chicago and began his art career, making $65,000 his first year. He was commissioned to create murals and decorations in public buildings and private homes. Not only a fine muralist, Frederic did easel paintings as well.Helen Birch Bartlett, Frederic’s wife died from cancer in 1925 just a few short years after Bonnet House was built. In the years before her death, Frederic and Helen had spent a great deal of time abroad where they assembled an impressive collection of art. Helen and Frederic's art collection was given to the Art Institute of Chicago in Helen's memory. This world-famous collection of post-impressionist works is known as the Helen Birch Bartlett Memorial Collection. It includes works by Cézanne, Toulouse-Lautrec, Gauguin, Picasso, Rousseau, and Van Gogh. Perhaps one of the most famous paintings in their collection was Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte by Georges Seurat.The Bartletts owned other properties including their mansion, Whitehall, in Beverly, Massachusetts, their farm, Bothways, in Essex, Massachusetts, and Nymphenglade, their weekend retreat in Davie, Florida. Their homes in the north were more formal in nature while Bonnet House was designed as a private winter retreat on the beach. Before leaving the Studio, note the faux balustrade facing the balcony railing. This a trompe l’oeil or fool the eye. Frederic Bartlett faux painted many areas in the house.The charcoal drawings on the east wall were done early in his art career while Frederic was studying in Germany.Exit the Studio and turn to your left.
Courtyard
Continue your journey around the courtyard. The courtyard’s coral stone pavers exemplify Frederic’s adaptation of locally produced materials to create his artistic vision.The courtyard also serves as an art gallery. The Nymphenglade paintings, framed in yellow, were removed from the coffered panels in the ceiling of the Bartletts’ weekend retreat in Davie, Florida. Those on view are reproductions. This helps in the preservation of the originals that are in climate-controlled storage.The small courtyard seen through the yellow iron window guards was a quiet citrus garden where the Rangpurlimeswere grown for the famous Bonnet House cocktail.The Aviary is a functional sculpture. Note the vivid colors and quatrefoil cutouts on the side, which derive from medieval Gothic architecture which Frederic admired. He built it as a gift to his wife Evelyn for her pet birds.Frederic’s aesthetic sensibilities lead him to incorporate decorative items to the house such as: cast iron from New Orleans around the second floor; obelisks outside the front door; the cow-fish over the front door, and over the south west entrance gate; and shells found through the house. He applied his artistic skills to create decorative paintings and murals.Your next stop will be the Butler’s Pantry.
Butler's Pantry
You have arrived at the Butler’s Pantry. This room was used by the staff as a staging ground for meals. The Ragdale blue color was selected by Frederic who admired how it was used in the home of his friend, noted architect Howard Van Doren Shaw.Evelyn Bartlett had a refined decorative sense and would combine different pieces of china and glassware to create artistic table tops. Her artist’s eye was used in her china and glassware collecting. A houseguest staying for a week would never see the same combination of dishes more than once during their visit.In the cabinet to the right of the doorway to the dining room, you will see Evie’s dishes. Evie Lilly was the daughter of Evelyn and Eli Lilly. She made these ceramics and hand painted them as a gift for her mother. All told, there were four artists in the family, Evie, Clay (Frederic’s son), Evelyn, and Frederic.Now look through the pass through door to the Kitchen.
Kitchen
Even meals took on a decorative flare at Bonnet House. Food became art with dishes plated using classical, decorative garnitures. One of the main chefs at Bonnet House had been a pastry chef for Charles De Gaulle, a former president of France.The kitchen staff used only the freshest food. Items were sourced locally from the Nymphenglade house garden in Davie, Florida (a weekend retreat owned by the Bartletts) and some produce was grown here at Bonnet House. In later years, produce was flown in from the Bartlett’s farm in Essex, Massachusetts.The refrigerator is a model 1927 GE double door monitor top. These types of models got their name from the hatbox shaped ring that covered the compressor assembly which was thought to resemble the gun turret on the Civil War iron-clad warship the USS Monitor. Its unusual looks, including gracefully curved Queen Ann Style legs made it a star in a home.Now enter the dining room.
Dining Room
Though this room was called the Dining Room, it might be better termed a breakfast room. The Bartletts and Hugh Taylor Birch had breakfast here, but usually had the rest of their meals outside in the Courtyard or on the Veranda. The table is positioned to look out toward the beautiful ocean view.Note the artistic positioning of fish, steins and china. The fish were caught by Frederic and his son Clay. The steins were collected by Frederic while studying in Europe.The blue and white china in the cabinets was made by Spode and depicts a hunting scene from India. The apricot colored dishes are by Davenport and form a dessert set. These sets were collected by Evelyn and Helen respectively.This room has a hunting lodge type atmosphere—a surprising contrast atypical of the rest of Bonnet House.Exit the Dining Room and Butler’s Pantry and stop at the North Loggia.
North Loggia
Outside the dining room is the North or Haitian Loggia. Here decorative arts meet mural painting. This, like the other ceiling murals at Bonnet House, blurs the line between art and architecture.Frederic made a decorative use of shells which the Bartletts and their friends collected on the beach. The Haitian theme ceiling mural and two Haitian paintings along with the charming yellow gate leading to the veranda make this a beautiful spot to stop and look out toward the ocean. The dressed monkeys were purchased by the Bartlett’s at an auction in New York City.The elaborate tin and glass lanterns were designed by Palm Beach architect Addison Mizner. They might be termed today as coming from the found object media as they were made from oil drums.Follow the signs to the South Loggia and the entrance to the Drawing room.
South Loggia
The yellow awning area in the courtyard you just passed through is where most meals other than breakfast were served, giving the family and their guests this lovely view of the courtyard. In the Bartletts’ time, cranes and other pets wandered the courtyard.The South Loggia is home to two beautifully carved giraffes that are part of Frederic’s menagerie animal collection. These animals were once seating on a merry-go-round. These amusement rides are often also called carousels though technically a carousel would only have horses.Look up once more. The ceiling mural is the only painting Frederic and Evelyn jointly painted. Frederic painted the turtle along with the other animals, and Evelyn painted the water and the netting at his request. She said it was a very hard job!Now enter the Drawing Room.
Drawing Room
The Drawing Room is a faux fantasy. Frederic was adaptive in reuse of collected items to create a one-of-a-kind setting. The ceiling is mahogany, with Dade County Pine surrounding it. The Ojus tile on the floor was made in the town of Ojus which is just south of Fort Lauderdale. The columns are from a Miami antique shop and were cut in half to follow through on Frederic's symmetrical theme. Frederic was a skilled craftsman as well as an artist. The cabinet and bookshelves incorporate 18th century Italian doors.The large paintings are by Frederic. The one over the fireplace shows the swans that lived at Bonnet House. The painting to the left of the door is of his son Clay. The painting to the right of the door is of Jeff Lockett, Hugh Taylor Birch’s estate manager. For their time the families at Bonnet House were progressive in their views on race relations. Many of their staff were African-Americans who both lived and worked on the property. Staff were allowed to enjoy the 700 feet of beach, which is still owned by Bonnet House, without the chance of arrest since the majority of Fort Lauderdale’s beach was segregated.Exit the Drawing Room and continue past the lion and tiger menagerie animals to the Music Room.
Music Room
Due to its small size and to protect the floor, the music room is closed to self-guided tours. The beautiful Music Room was designed for Helen Birch Bartlett, a musician, published poet and composer. Like the Studio, it was built specifically for artistic pursuits.The floor painting becomes part of the architecture. It is a tongue-in-cheek kind of faux marble. This floor was the last artwork created by Frederic Bartlett before a debilitating stroke, and his final touch to an otherwise traditional room.Most of the furnishings were Helen’s including the 1872 signed Steinway square rosewood pianoforte, and the Rococo revival pier mirrors. There are full length mirrors to view them.The marble bust of the “Mourning Woman” by Giovanni Lombardi, dates to around the mid-19th century, the same time period as the piano, and pier mirrors. Mourning and death were popular subjects among Romantic Victorians.Go back past the tiger to enter the Veranda through the Sunrise Gate, so named for the sunburst decorative motif above it.
Veranda
The Veranda gave the Bartlett’s and their guests the view of the Slough. This body of water was once part of a much larger thriving freshwater lake system that extended for over six miles along the beach. The lovely yellow water lilies were named by the locals “Bonnet Lilies”. The old story goes that the alligators that once inhabited the water, would walk to shore with the lily pads and flowers on their heads, thus the name Bonnet Lily and the name Bonnet House!The Chickee Bridge was originally built for Evelyn Bartlett by the Seminole people. It connects the Main House to the beach path that leads to the Atlantic Ocean. In the 1930s, State Road A1A was little more than a two-lane country road. The Bartletts would have little trouble crossing it on their daily trips to enjoy their private beach.This beautiful Veranda is the perfect place for special events like the Bonnet House Music Series, Holiday Magic and Wedding Receptions. At night the Veranda and entire house take on a glowing, magical feel. While the Royal Palm Trees along the water are illuminated, they are also bathed with moonlight and twinkling stars.Proceed along the Veranda or take some time to sit and enjoy the view. The Bartletts often enjoyed the patio seating area between the Drawing Room’s bay windows.Leave the Veranda and continue walking to the Shell Museum.
Shell Museum/Orchid House/Bamboo Bar
You have now arrived at the Shell Museum, Bamboo Bar, and Orchid Display House. Frederic Bartlett designed this building as a gift to his wife Evelyn. It is a special place devoted to some of her favorite things: orchids, shells and entertaining.Evelyn collected shells for a period of time, and this spot provided an opportunity to display her most prized finds. While some of the shells were found by the Bartletts, many were purchased.Evelyn was a passionate orchid grower. While the collection has been augmented over the years, many of the plants you see indeed belonged to Evelyn.The Bartletts would gather here before dinner to enjoy a cocktail amidst the shells and orchids. The Bonnet House Cocktail or Rangpur Lime Cocktail was served in the Bamboo Bar. The recipe is on display. One of Evelyn’s nephews who lived in Naples, Florida, about a two hour drive away, recalled, “I learned after my first visit to only have one.”Leave the Shell Museum, and proceed through the large yellow gates to your right and follow the path forward to the Caretaker’s Cottage. Enter the Caretaker’s Cottage through the door under the staircase.
Caretaker's Cottage
This was the home of the full-time caretaker. Originally this was only a two story, two room house. As the caretaker’s family grew, the addition of what is now the Museum Shop was added on as a kitchen and living room area. Items associated with the work needed to maintain Bonnet House and support the Bartlett’s lifestyle are displayed here along with information about Bonnet House’s pre-Columbian past.A visit to the Museum Shop is a must! You will find books about Bonnet House, memorabilia and that special gift you will want to purchase for yourself or someone you love.Thank You for coming. We always value visitor feedback. Please take a moment to fill out the visitor survey on your phone. Bonnet House Memberships are available at the Museum Shop, and please see our Calendar of Events for a list of the classes and upcoming special events. Be sure to tag your visit on social media and TripAdvisor.
