Panhandle Butterfly House & Nature Center A Haven for Butterfly Enthusiasts

by Nicole Willis

The Panhandle Butterfly House & Nature Center (PBH) is a quaint butterfly sanctuary located in downtown Milton that houses several species of butterflies and also serves to educate visitors on these fascinating creatures.

As a program of the nonprofit organization Keep Santa Rosa Beautiful, Inc., the goal of the PBH is to “enhance the environmental awareness by connecting its visitors with Florida native butterflies, botanical gardens and nature trails.”

The PBH was founded by butterfly enthusiasts, Jack and Fonda Wetherell. Though the couple has passed on, their legacy continues decades later, as the PBH remains an active educational center in Northwest Florida.

Officially opening its doors in 1997, the PBH was established in Navarre Park, where the house remained until 2018.

“The PBH relocated from Navarre Park in 2018 due to renovations to the park by Santa Rosa County. We had to find a new home, and in 2020, we purchased the T.W. Jones property from the Blackwater River Foundation,” PBH Executive Director Pamela Murfey explained. “We wanted to create a regional conservation facility within Santa Rosa County. From there, we needed to build a new vivarium to house the live butterflies, install pollinator gardens and make the facility accessible to all.”

Once the property was purchased, a two-year renovation throughout the property began in July 2021. Renovations included the construction of the vivarium, building repairs, planting gardens, adding an accessible walkway and more. Funding for the move and renovations came from a variety of sources including donations, gift shop sales, fundraisers, an Impact 100 grant and beyond. The postrenovation grand opening of the PBH was held last October.

The new PBH facility is the historical T.W. Jones house, located at 4966 Henry St. in Milton. This home was built in the late 1800s and sits atop 9 acres of beautiful land. While exploring all that the property has to offer, visitors will stroll through 18 different gardens, a vibrant vivarium and a short nature trail.

One of the main attractions on the property is, of course, the house. Along the hallway walls of the historic home, visitors can view more than 300 species of mounted butterflies and moths from around the world. This massive collection was donated to the PBH in 1999 by Gulf Breeze local, Dr. Tom Grow.

In addition to the expansive collection of mounted butterflies, the PBH is also home to many species of live butterflies that are native to Florida. The vivarium typically houses around 10 species of butterflies, allowing visitors to learn about the species that they may encounter where they live. According to Murfey, there are approximately 116 species of butterflies found in NW Florida, with visitors like the zebra heliconian and the white peacock occasionally passing through. Visitors to the vivarium can see butterflies in various stages of life.

Whether you are looking for a fun and educational summer outing for the kids, or you are a solo butterfly enthusiast wanting to learn more, the PBH has something for everyone. The PBH is open to visitors Wednesday through Saturday, from 10 am to 2 pm. Adult entry is $7, individuals ages 17 and under are admitted for $5 and children 5 or younger are free.

To donate to the PBH or learn more about its mission, visit panhandlebutterflyhouse.org. Stay connected with the PBH by following the house on Facebook at facebook.com/FPBHNC.