Bonnet House, Inc. Takes Title to Bonnet House Estate, Ownership by Florida Trust for Historic Preservation Comes to an End

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., June 2, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Effective June 1, 2020, Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, whose legal name is Bonnet House, Inc., has taken title to the 35-acre Bonnet House estate in Fort Lauderdale. As part of a property reorganization agreement entered in February, the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation signed over the deed to the historic property on June 1, 2020. The transfer of ownership marks the formal end of what had been a contentious disagreement between the Florida Trust and Bonnet House, Inc., the local not-for-profit that has managed all aspects of the estate's preservation and operation since 1990. The Tallahassee-based Florida Trust had attempted to assume direct management of Bonnet House in February of 2019, but outcry from the local community halted those plans.

"The board, staff and volunteers are all relieved to see this chapter in the property's history come to a final conclusion," said Patrick Shavloske, CEO of Bonnet House Museum & Gardens. "We can now focus all our efforts on preserving the estate and developing programming that meets the community's needs. We estimate that since Jan. 1, 2020, the reorganization has saved Bonnet House well over $100,000, and with the impact of COVID-19, such savings are even more important."

Maxine Streeter of Genovese Joblove & Battista and Paige Brody of Brody & Brody represented Bonnet House in its struggle to maintain local control and management of the museum.

The historic and whimsical estate is welcoming guests back for self-guided house tours on Tuesday, June 2. The estate recently welcomed guests back for self-guided grounds tours on May 19. Guests will enjoy a one-way route around the beautiful estate, which is celebrating its 100^th anniversary this year.

Tickets are $20 for the house and grounds tours, and $10 for the grounds-only tour for all non-members. Tickets are free for members. Daily visits will take place Tuesday–Sunday from 10 a.m.–4 p.m., with early access for members and visitors with potential health vulnerabilities from 9–10 a.m. Limited tickets are available at www.bonnethouse.org/about-all/covid-19/, or at the Bonnet House Museum & Gardens Welcome Center.

Guests (except children 2 years old and younger) must wear masks/face coverings at all times. Face coverings and water ― in addition to soda, iced tea and ice cream ― will be available for purchase in the Welcome Center or Museum Shop.

For more information about Bonnet House Museum & Gardens' re-opening, please visit www.bonnethouse.org/about-all/covid-19/.

About the Bonnet House Museum & Gardens: 

Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Bonnet House Museum & Gardens is a 35-acre subtropical estate and historic house museum located in the heart of Fort Lauderdale. Bonnet House, Inc. is a nonprofit, 501c3, whose mission is to preserve this unique historic estate of Frederic and Evelyn Bartlett. Through enjoyable and enriching cultural experiences, the Museum connects today's community to the Bartletts' architectural, artistic and environmental legacy. Bonnet House is located at 900 North Birch Road, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 and is open for tours Tuesday–Sunday from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. For more information, visit www.bonnethouse.org.

Contact:
Durée & Company
954-723-9350 / [email protected]

SOURCE Bonnet House Museum & Gardens

Related Links

https://www.bonnethouse.org/