Bonnet House: Step inside this Serene 1920s Tropical Time Capsule in Fort Lauderdale

Bonnet House (also known as the Bartlett Estate) is a historic 35-acre artists’ estate and museum in Florida. It’s located in Fort Lauderdale on a barrier island between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway.

History of the Bonnet House

The house was built in 1920 as a winter home by Chicago artist Frederic Clay Bartlett and his wife Helen (daughter of Chicago lawyer Hugh Taylor Birch, who originally acquired the land). The whimsical plantation-style home is filled with art, murals, and eclectic furnishings created or collected by the Bartletts.

It’s been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1984. It preserves one of the last remaining native barrier island ecosystems in South Florida, featuring five distinct habitats and lush gardens.

Frederic and his second wife, artist Evelyn Fortune Bartlett, continued developing the property after Helen’s death in 1925. Evelyn lived there until later in life and deeded it to the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation in 1983.

Bonnet House owner Fort Lauderdale_DSCF5007

It now operates as the Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving its art, history, and natural environment. The name comes from the Bonnet Lily (a water lily) found on the property.

What to Expect

House tours (self-guided or guided) showcase the artists’ whimsical creations, personal artifacts, and stories of early 20th-century life in Florida.
Gardens and grounds with rare plants, wildlife, and tropical landscapes.
It’s described as a serene, time-capsule oasis amid modern beachfront development — blending art, history, and nature.

It’s a popular tourist attraction (often ranked highly on Tripadvisor) and open to the public most days (typically closed Mondays and some holidays).