One of my favorite Florida locations is the Bok Sanctuary, which includes the bell tower and Pinewood Estate. It features an incredibly beautiful (and functioning) art deco bell tower, some of the lushest gardens you’ll ever see, and the setting is incredibly serene. Located in Lake Wales, Florida, it’s not from Orlando or Tampa.
Edward W. Bok, both an author and a publisher, was editor of The Ladies Home Journal for thirty years and retired in 1919. In the early 1920’s he wintered in the area. The idea came to him to preserve it as a bird sanctuary and he wanted to create a place of beauty and peace. Now a National Historic Landmark, the carillon tower was completed in 1929. Part of the design includes a sundial tied to the zodiac, which is particularly cool. Beneath the tower is a gorgeous reflecting pool that attracts wildlife, including swans.
Bok Sanctuary includes a nature preserve and an endangered plant garden.
I’ve visited several times and my imagination and creativity is stirred on each visit.
Here’s a link to the Bok Sanctuary website. When you visit, if you scroll down to the bottom of this page, you can listen to some of the carillon music performed at Bok Tower.
If you find yourself visiting Florida, include Bok Sanctuary as one of your Must-Do’s.
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