Evelyn Bartlett, fiercely protective of Bonnet House, resisted offers from developers who sought to purchase the land. For her, the estate represented not just personal history but a vanishing vision of old Florida—a world of open skies, native flora, and artistic freedom.
Her decision to preserve the estate would eventually prove transformative for Fort Lauderdale’s cultural heritage. By refusing to sell, she ensured that a vital piece of the city’s early identity would survive amid rapid modernization.
The Gift to the People: Preservation and Public Legacy
In 1983, at the age of 93, Evelyn Bartlett made a monumental decision. She donated Bonnet House and its 35-acre estate to the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation, ensuring its protection for generations to come. This act of philanthropy was one of the most significant cultural donations in the state’s history.
Evelyn continued to live at Bonnet House until 1995, enjoying the gardens and the company of visitors who came to admire her life’s work. When she passed away in 1997 at the age of 109, she left behind not only a preserved home but a living legacy of art and conservation.
The Bonnet House opened to the public shortly thereafter, becoming both a museum and historic landmark. In 2002, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, recognized for its architectural, artistic, and environmental importance. shutdown123