1. Steeped in History 
Imagine you’re driving down the busy coast of Fort Lauderdale. Amidst all the high-rise condos and neon-lit bars, you discover a hidden gem. Built-in 1920 by artist Frederic Clay Bartlett, the house was intended to be a summer home for him and his wife. Unfortunately, his wife died five years later.
The neglected house fell into disrepair until a beam of sunlight entering the home in Frederic’s second wife, Evelyn. She is credited for not only restoring but beautifying the home, giving it an eclectic and whimsical style. Today you can see the colorful house as it originally sat, complete with furnishings and original artwork.
2. Art
Both Frederic and Evelyn were artists, and you can see examples of their work all over the house. Frederic’s studio is even part of the tour. Their paintings adorn the walls, and their sculptures sit on tables.
The couple also traveled extensively and brought back artwork from all over the world. Both Frederic and Evelyn loved working with natural materials, so pieces of wood or shell were often incorporated into the home.
3. Exotic Plants
The house is named after the bonnet lily that grew along the waterline, but Evelyn’s real passion was orchids. Her favorites can be found in the Orchard Display House.
Other gardens on the property include a hibiscus garden and a desert garden, and naturally, local vegetation blooms profusely in the courtyard.
4. Monkeys and Swans
While touring the gardens, make sure to periodically lookup. You may spot something unusual. Wild monkeys loved to play in the treetops. Evelyn adored them and was rumored to have fed them toast with strawberry jam.
A number of swans used to inhabit the waterways near the home. Although their numbers have dwindled, you may still catch a glimpse of one of the majestic birds.
5. A Living Museum
Evelyn Bartlett lived to be 109 years old. Part of her legacy included gifting the 35-acre land and home to the public, refusing to sell to developers. Today the house is not only a museum but also a site of environmental preservation. The land even contains five separate types of ecosystems.
In addition to tours, the house can be rented as a venue for parties or weddings. Additionally, artists are invited to come and use the home as inspiration. You can often spot painters with easels tucked away in a quiet corner.
After visiting the Bartlett’s historic home, you may be thinking about other 1920s icons. Henry Ford grew a car empire, and today we are proud to be part of his legacy. Visit Pines Ford today and test drive a Ford car or truck. Bring home a piece of that history.
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