1860 1880 1900 1920
Harry M. Nornabell Director (1926-1955)
A BIRD SANCTUARY During the development of the grounds, Edward Bok purchases nightingales and flamingos to live in his bird Sanctuary. In April 1926, a nightingale sang for the first time. Later, an aviary is built for the nightingales and a small protective structure is assembled for the flamingos. There is mixed success with the introduction of these birds into the central Florida climate, and many replacements are purchased through the years.
IMMIGRATES TO THE UNITED STATES Arrives in New York from the Netherlands with his family as a young boy. Oct. 9 1863
SEP. 20 1870
EDWARD BOK IS BORN Born in Den Helder, Netherlands.
BEGINNING A HOBBY As a teenager, Bok begins what becomes an extensive autograph collection when he writes General James A. Garfield, then presidential contender, and receives a reply. Bok's goal is not just to receive an autograph but also to solicit letters to learn something from great men. AUG. 7 1876
1880
OCT. 2 1889
A VISION OF FLORIDA Mr. Bok purchased 14 acres from Mountain Lake Estates atop its highest hill known as Iron Mountain (298' above sea level). He establishes the Mountain Lake Sanctuary, a place of peace and serenity for birds and people. He then hires Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. as landscape architect.
A POWERFUL MARRIAGE Marries Mary Louise Curtis, daughter of Cyrus Curtis, the owner of Curtis Publishing responsible for Ladies’ Home Journal and Saturday Evening Post. OCT. 22 1896
EDWARD W. BOK
THE TOWER CARILLON & MUSIC PINEWOOD ESTATE WILDLIFE INSPIRATION FUN FACTS
A SUCCESSFUL CAREER Becomes editor of Ladies’ Home Journal.
AN INTEREST IN MUSIC Publishes the poem, God's Hand, set to music by Josef Hofmann.
1902
A PASSION IGNITED Bok campaigns against the use of the plumes of herons, egrets, cranes and other wading birds in ladies' millenary (hats) by publishing graphic illustrated articles about the process of killing a nesting bird, leaving the hatchlings to starve. His campaign, together with support from the National Association of Audubon Societies, eventually passed a federal law banning the use and import of aigrette bird feathers.
1916
SEP. 22 1919
MARCH 1926
1925
1922
BEGINNING HIS CAREER At only 12 years old, Bok entered the employ of the Western Union Telegraph Company as an office boy.
THE GARDENS
EVOLVING THE MASTERPIECE In March, Mr. Bok purchases 11 additional acres on the south slope of Iron Mountain in order to build a carillon. He appoints Milton Medary, AIA award-winning architect, to design the carillon for the Sanctuary. Medary completes plans for the Singing Tower carillon to become the centerpiece of Olmsted, Jr.'s magnificent garden. Additional artists for the tower include J. H. Dulles Allen (tile work), Lee Lawrie (sculptor), and Samuel Yellin (metal work). APRIL 1926
A VISION EVOLVES By 1925, the Olmsted Firm and Mr. Bok have overseen the grading, planting, and development of the land atop Iron Mountain. The American Foundation takes over the contract with the Olmsted Firm, and the development of the Sanctuary continues. Evidence shows that proper planting attracts birds and other wildlife. The land is also ideal to demonstrate to visitors what can be accomplished with Florida native plants.
ADVOCATE FOR PEACE Mr. Bok’s proposed American Peace Award which would grant $100,000 to the submission that offered "the best practicable plan by which the United States may cooperate with other nations for the achievement and preservation of world peace." 1923
1924
INTO RETIREMENT Mr. Bok relinquished editorship of the Ladies' Home Journal, completing 30 years of service.
PEACE PRIZE First American Peace Award given to Dr. Charles Herbert Levermore for his proposal for the U.S. to cooperate with the League of Nations. Many American Isolationists and other groups publicly decried this decision, claiming Bok used the award to push a particular political agenda. SEP. 20 1920
1924
AUTOBIOGRAPHY PUBLISHED Upon the 50th anniversary of his arrival in the United States, publishes Mr. Bok’s autobiography The Americanization of Edward Bok. His autobiography goes on to win the Pulitzer Prize for Biography or Autobiography.
MRS. BOK’S LEGACY Mary Louise Curtis Bok, wife of Edward, founds the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia with the aim of offering quality music education for no cost. The Institute continues to be one of the world’s premier music education institutions.
1926
MAKING PHILLY A BIT BETTER Edward Bok is involved with a group that founds the Philadelphia Commission, an organization devoted to the beautification of the metropolitan area of Philadelphia.