March 8, 2011 - Edison & Ford Winter Estates Director's Tour to Fort Lauderdale - Bonnet House

Fort Myers, Fl (March 8, 2011) - The public is invited to join Edison & Ford Winter Estates President and CEO, Chris Pendleton for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour with Karen Beard, CEO of Bonnet House, a historic 35 acre plantation estate on March 25, 2011. 

Participants will get a glimpse of "old Florida" as they tour the sprawling two story waterfront home surrounded by formal tropical gardens. Pendleton will take participants on a private behind the scenes tour of the home once owned by the world acclaimed artist Frederic Clay Bartlett and his wife Evelyn. 

This historic 1920's house is the only home and studio of two American artists open to the public. Pendleton and Beard will lead you through the rooms of the main house where you will learn the history of the Birch/Bartlett family and discover the charm and whimsy of the beachfront estate. Participants will also enjoy a garden tour of the seaside tropical gardens with native and exotic landscape plants. Lunch will be served in the beautiful Bonnet House tropical gardens. 

The cost of the tour is $85 for Estates volunteers, $90 for Estates Members, $95 for non members and includes a charter bus ride, admission, lunch, taxes, gratuities, snacks, and refreshments. To make reservations call the Estates at 239-334-7419. Reservations are limited. 

The Estates is open daily from 9:00am - 5:30pm. The Estates is the winner of the 2009 National Stewardship Award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and is an official project of "Save America's Treasures" at the National Trust for Historic Preservation, a Florida Historic Landmark and a National Register Historic Site. For additional information call 239-334-7419 or visit the web site at www.efwefla.org.