Exploring The History And Legacy Of Bonnet House Museum & Gardens - One Of South Florida's Most Treasured Historic Landmarks Comes To Television Audiences Coinciding With America's 250th Anniversary

Located on a rare 35-acre coastal estate in Fort Lauderdale, Bonnet House stands as one of the last remaining examples of the region's early twentieth-century waterfront estates. Through compelling storytelling, rare archival materials, expert interviews, and stunning cinematography, the documentary reveals the remarkable history behind the beloved landmark and the visionaries who shaped its legacy.

The film, “Hidden In Plain Sight,” traces Bonnet House's origins to Hugh Taylor Birch and artists Frederic Clay Bartlett and his wife, Evelyn Fortune Bartlett. Audiences will discover how the estate evolved into a uniquely personal retreat that blended art, architecture, and nature while reflecting the spirit of Old Florida.

The documentary also explores the extraordinary preservation efforts that saved Bonnet House for future generations, including the pivotal role of Evelyn Fortune Bartlett, whose historic gift of the property ensured its protection as a cultural and environmental treasure. Today, the estate remains a cherished destination where visitors experience a rare intersection of history, art, and five distinct South Florida ecosystems.

As South Florida continues to grow and change, Bonnet House serves as a reminder of the area's unique heritage and natural beauty. The documentary preserves these stories for future generations while celebrating the vision, creativity, and stewardship that have shaped this extraordinary place for more than a century.

Broadcast Information Program: Bonnet House Museum & Gardens: Hidden In Plain Sight

Premiere Date: WXEL - Monday, June 29th, 2026 – 11:00 p.m.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HD5OMPyqaSU

Frank Linero

Award-Winning Director, Producer, and Editor Frank Linero has spent more than three decades creating compelling film, broadcast, commercial, documentary, and live-event content for brands, organizations, and audiences both nationally and internationally. Frank began his career in New York City's vibrant production industry, where he developed a strong foundation in post-production and storytelling before moving behind the camera as a director.

Since relocating to South Florida in 1993, Frank has built a reputation for delivering visually engaging, emotionally resonant content across a wide range of genres and platforms. His work spans national advertising campaigns, broadcast television programming, corporate communications, documentaries, tourism and hospitality content, healthcare storytelling, and large-scale live productions. As both a director and editor, Frank maintains creative continuity throughout the production process, allowing him to shape each story with a cohesive vision from concept through final delivery.

Throughout his career, Frank's work has earned numerous industry honors, including a National Edward R. Murrow Award, the American Silver Screen Award, Emmy Awards, Telly Awards, ADDY Awards, and recognition for innovative corporate and branded content. Above all, he believes that the most successful productions are built on strong relationships, authentic storytelling, and a genuine passion for the craft, values that continue to guide every project he undertakes.

Neil Goldberg

Neil Goldberg is an Award-Winning Broadway Director, Producer, Author, Entrepreneur, and Philanthropist whose creative achievements have earned recognition throughout South Florida, nationally and on the international stage.

A Florida resident for more than four decades, Goldberg founded Parties by Neil in 1980, an event design, entertainment, and production company that created some of South Florida’s most celebrated events, including Super Bowl productions, the Miss Universe Pageant, and Broward County’s Centennial Celebration. His distinguished career has earned him the Key to Broward County, and he served as a featured local correspondent during the wedding of Princess Diana. Throughout his career, Goldberg has served on the Boards of Directors for the Broward Center for the Performing Arts and Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, while contributing his expertise to organizations including New World Symphony, YoungArts, and numerous arts institutions nationwide.

In 1993, Goldberg founded Cirque Productions, creating the groundbreaking Cirque Dreams brand, which grew into a global entertainment phenomenon. Following decades of success worldwide, he sold the company to Cirque du Soleil in 2018.

In 2021, Goldberg authored the 20-time award-winning children's illustrated storybook POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance, which has since evolved into a global multi-platform entertainment brand featuring live residency productions in Orlando, Nashville, and Atlantis Paradise Island. The property is currently being developed into an animated television series and a Broadway musical.

Today, Goldberg serves as CEO of Variety Arts Management and Dream Studios, a 25,000-Square-Foot Creative Production Campus in Pompano Beach, Florida, where films, theatrical productions, rehearsals, costume fabrication, and multimedia projects are developed and produced.

His productions have been presented at many of the world's most prestigious venues, including Broadway, the Kennedy Center, Grand Ole Opry House, Ziegfeld Theatre in New York City, Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, Alte Oper in Frankfurt, Germany, Salle des Etoiles in Monaco, and the Bahrain Summer Festival. His work has toured across five continents, appeared in more than 500 cities, and been experienced by audiences exceeding 50 million people worldwide.

Goldberg has also produced three acclaimed PBS television specials and has been a featured guest on virtually every major South Florida television station and media outlet, as well as the TODAY Show, Good Morning America, The Kelly Clarkson Show, Fox & Friends and more.

The Los Angeles Times has hailed Goldberg as “a leading theatrical impresario,” while the New York Daily News proclaimed, “There have only been a handful of shows that have generated an exclamation point as assertive as the ones created and directed by Neil Goldberg.”

About South Florida PBS:

South Florida PBS is Florida’s largest public media company, including Public Broadcasting stations WXEL-TV, serving the Palm Beaches and the Treasure Coast and WPBT2, serving Miami-Dade and Broward counties, and the Health Channel, the only 24/7 channel dedicated to health in the nation. South Florida PBS connects organizations and institutions across our region and preserves South Florida's history. Leading the way in this global society, South Florida PBS is committed to creating and presenting award-winning programs focused on kids, education, arts and culture, health, environment, science, and civic engagement.

About Bonnet House Museum & Gardens:

Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, National Trust for Historic Preservation's Historic Artists' Homes and Studios, 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 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, Florida 33304 and is open for tours Tuesday – Sunday from 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. and closed on Mondays, New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Guided tours are also available. Members are always free.

For more information, please visit: www.bonnethouse.org.