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The Future of Florida’s Coasts: What We Can Learn from the Past January 21, February 23, and March 30
Bonnet House Museum & Gardens is pleased to announce a new three-part lecture series in partnership with Florida Atlantic University (FAU) as part of its 2026 programming. Held on the museum’s historic estate, the series will examine Florida’s coastal history and the evolving relationship between Floridians and the sea over the past 2,000 years. Evan Bennett PhD., FAU Professor of History and renowned historian, will lead the series, titled The Future of Florida’s Coasts: What We Can Learn from the Past.
The talks will take place at Bonnet House Museum & Gardens on Wednesday, January 21; Monday, February 23; and Monday, March 30, with each program beginning at 12:30 p.m. Attendees are invited to gather on the Veranda for cookies, coffee, and tea prior to each lecture, that will take place from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Across three engaging lectures, Dr. Bennett will explore how the Florida coast, a dynamic cultural and environmental landscape, has been shaped by Indigenous communities, European colonization, maritime industries, tourism, and modern development. Using history as a lens, the series will examine contemporary challenges facing coastal communities today, including development pressures, pollution, and cultural loss.
“This meaningful collaboration with Florida Atlantic University and Dr. Bennett allows us to continue to create opportunities for our community to engage with thoughtful historical context,” said Patrick Shavloske, CEO of Bonnet House Museum & Gardens. “Understanding the lessons of the past is essential to shaping a more informed future, and this series aligns perfectly with Bonnet House’s mission to inspire learning, dialogue, and cultural appreciation.”
Additionally, the series will offer insight into how historical perspectives can help inform a more sustainable future for Florida’s coastlines. Dr. Bennett will help attendees understand the big challenges we’re facing today, like development, pollution, and sea level rise, all through the lens of the past. This lecture series is part of Bonnet House Museum & Gardens’ ongoing commitment to education, preservation, and meaningful dialogue around South Florida’s natural and cultural heritage.
About the Presenter
Evan P. Bennett, PhD., is the Director for the Voting Rights History Civic Literacy Project and Professor of History at Florida Atlantic University, where he teaches Florida history, environmental history, and maritime history. He is the author of Tampa Bay: The Story of an Estuary and Its People, which received the Silver Medal in Florida Nonfiction from the Florida Book Awards and the Stetson Kennedy Award from the Florida Historical Society. Dr. Bennett is widely recognized for his work connecting environmental history with present-day coastal issues.
Cost to attend: $5/members or $10/non-members. For additional information, ticketing details, and registration, please visit www.bonnethouse.org/
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, 501(c)(3), whose mission is to celebrate the story of Frederic and Evelyn Bartlett, and preserve the art, history, and nature of Bonnet House, providing inspiration and respite for all. Bonnet House is located at 900 North Birch Road, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 and is open for tours Tuesday–Friday from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. and Saturday—Sunday from 11 a.m.– 4 p.m. For more information, please visit www.bonnethouse.org.
