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Flagler picnic offers glimpse into Gilded Age


Picnic offered at the Flagler Museum by the Cocoanut Grove with the Lake Worth Lagoon and downtown West Palm Beach in the background. [Photo by the Flagler Museum]


Imagine a serene picnic in the lush Cocoanut Grove of the Flagler Museum in Palm Beach. The sprawling green lawn is dotted with towering palm trees swaying in the breeze, offering patches of shade. The stately white columns of the Gilded Age mansion rise in the background, with the soft sound of waves from the Intracoastal Waterway adding a calming ambience.

 

Tuesdays through Sundays starting in November, a luxurious picnic setup features a checkered blanket, woven baskets filled with gourmet sandwiches, tropical fruits, organic iced tea and chilled lemonade. Around you, others leisurely enjoy the afternoon, some exploring the museum grounds, others relaxing in the shade of coconut trees. The atmosphere is peaceful and elegant, blending the historical charm of the Flagler estate with the natural beauty of its surroundings.

 

For information about planning and purchasing a picnic, visit flaglermuseum.us/picnic.

 

Lunch tables set up in the Grand Pavilion next to the Cocoanut Grove at the Flagler Museum. [Photo by the Flagler Museum]

The Flagler Museum, in a former house known as Whitehall, is a grand Gilded Age mansion built by Henry Morrison Flagler, a key figure in the development of Florida's east coast. He built the Florida East Coast Railway, first stopping in St. Augustine, then West Palm Beach, and eventually making it to Key West.

 

Located at 1 Whitehall Way, the museum was Flagler’s home until his death in 1913. It offers a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of America’s elite during the Gilded Age and stands as a testament to Flagler’s contributions to Florida’s growth and tourism.

 

Whitehall was built in 1902 and designed in the Beaux-Arts style by young architects John Carrere and Thomas Hastings. Its special features range from marble steps and bronze doors to symbolic sculptures and a customized needle shower. The mansion originally featured over 75 rooms across 100,000 square feet, and it was furnished with imported art, decorative pieces and luxurious materials.

 

Despite falling out of favor as a commercial property in 1959, Whitehall became a National Historic Landmark and received accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums and the Ross Merrill Award for Outstanding Commitment to the Preservation and Care of Collections.

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