Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens is a gorgeous hidden treasure

After decades living an hour away, I finally visited the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, and I am amazed I had missed this gorgeous hidden gem for so long.

Located in the beautiful historic residential neighborhood of El Cid facing the waters of Lake Worth, this 2.5 acre estate surprised me at every turn as it revealed monumental sculptures hidden among the rare palms, shade trees and orchids.

Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens ann norton seven beings Garden in West Palm Beach is a hidden treasure — “Seven Beings” by Ann Norton is carved from pink Norwegian granite. The sculptor said it was inspired by the rock formations at Bryce Canyon National Park. She began the work in memory of her husband, Ralph Norton, and it took a decade to complete. (Photo: Bonnie Gross)

You might think you’ve been there when you haven’t.

It’s called the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens because the sculptor Ann Weaver Norton was the second wife of the widower and wealthy art collector who founded the nearby Norton Museum, largest art museum in Florida.

The Norton Museum has sculptures in its garden, too, so on hearing “Ann Norton Sculpture Garden,” many think of the big museum. “On yeah, I like the sculptures at the Norton,” they think.

But the Ann Norton Sculpture Garden is not big and it is not associated with the museum. Instead the site is like a polished gem — small but stunning.

The vista as you step outside into the Ann Norton Sculpture Garden. (Photo: Bonnie Gross) — The vista as you step outside at the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens. (Photo: Bonnie Gross)

Visiting the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens

The gardens surround the historic 1925 house at Flagler Drive and Barcelona Road that art collector and steel-company CEO Ralph Norton bought for his first wife. It was designed by Marion Sims Wyeth, a popular Palm Beach architect at the time. He also designed Mar-a-Lago. (Its tower can be viewed from Flagler Drive across Lake Worth.) The house and gardens are on the National Register of Historic Places.

The first floor has been remodeled to serve as a gallery with changing art exhibits, as well as for ticketing and the gift shop. (Ticket prices are modest: $15 each, seniors $10 and children/students $7.)

The untitled sculpture constructed of Mexican brick was completed by Ann Norton in 1979. (Photo: Bonnie Gross) — This enormous sculpture constructed of Mexican brick was completed by Ann Norton in 1979. (Photo: Bonnie Gross)

Stepping outside from the gallery, one is met with one of the many splendid views — a reflecting pond with a monumental brick sculpture and a view over a gate to Intracoastal Waterway, sparkling in the distance. That sculpture, the first of nine by Ann Norton you will see in the gardens, is untitled and you are left to imagine whether it depicts mountains or a dragon or something else.

I found it delightful that the garden was purposefully designed to reveal its sculptures and its beautiful spaces only as you walk the paths and turn its corners.

Gateway 5 by Ann Norton is built of handmade North Carolina bricks. (Photo: David Blasco)

You don’t have to have any particular interest in sculpture to appreciate the experience.

For the plant lovers, the garden map marks 19 notable trees and plants. The garden is home to 250 rare palm species, cycads and unusual tropicals, such as the Petticoat Palm, the Lipstick Palm and the Old Man Palm.

There is an orchid house full of colorful blooms, a butterfly and pollinator garden, which was all aflutter when we visited, and several beautiful ponds and water features.

All around the sculptures in the Ann Norton Gardens are plants, trees, butterflies and birds to appreciate. (Photos: Bonnie Gross) — All around the sculptures are plants, trees and butterflies to appreciate. (Photos: Bonnie Gross)

In the garden, there is another gallery building and the artist’s studio, which Ralph Norton had built for his new bride. The studio is an interesting and lovely space.

The exhibits in the two gallery spaces change. We loved the two we saw on a mid-December visit, but both will change soon. The high-season exhibit Jan. 14 – March 8, 2026, will be Picasso: Clay, Line and Legacy, featuring Picasso’s ceramics.

Sculptures by Artist in Residence Kevin Barret are displayed in the garden through June 2026. (Photo: Bonnie Gross)

Who was Ann Norton?

The gardens were another work of art created by Ann Norton (1905-1982), who studied and worked hard to be able to devote herself to her sculpture. Born in Selma, Alabama, at the turn of the century, she was ahead of her time.

In her 40s, she married Ralph Norton, 30 years her elder and her boss as the Norton Gallery and School of Art, where she taught. He was the retired chairman of Acme Steel and when he began living seasonally in West Palm Beach, he founded the Norton Gallery to fill a cultural void. After his wife died, he asked Ann to marry him and promised to build her a studio in his garden to win her over.

The studio features some works by Ann Norton as well as materials she used. The studio has high ceilings and clrerestory windows, making it full of life. (Photo: Bonnie Gross) — The studio features some works by Ann Norton as well as materials she used. The studio has high ceilings and clerestory windows, making it full of light. (Photo: Bonnie Gross)

Ralph only lived five more years, but Ann lived 29 years after he died, devoting herself to her sculpture and developing the magnificent gardens you see today. A renowned landscape architect and friend, Sir Peter Smithers, helped form the philosophy and designs for the garden. Their partnership created a thing of beauty.

Making a day of visiting the sculpture gardens

Here’s an overview of what a vibrant city West Palm Beach has become and all the things you can do there.

The Ann Norton Gardens and historic home as seen from the street. (Photo: Bonnie Gross)

We did two things on the day we visited the Ann Norton Gardens that I recommend.

First, we took a long walk along the scenic walkway along Flagler Drive next to Lake Worth. (You can walk or even bike several miles along this paved walkway.)

The garden has a view directly over the Lake Worth/the Intracoastal Waterway. A pave walkway along the the water makes a very scenic walk before or after visiting the gardens. (Photo: Bonnie Gross) — The garden has a view directly over the Lake Worth/the Intracoastal Waterway. (Photo: Bonnie Gross)

Second, we visited the Norton Museum, which is six blocks away and has an impressive and diverse collection. My motivation for this visit was a Rembrandt exhibit that continues until March 29. (It includes 75 Dutch 17th-century paintings, including several excellent Rembrandt works and a Vermeer.)

Garden enthusiasts can visit two other gardens in the area: Mounts Botanical Gardens and Pan’s Garden in nearby Palm Beach island, the only all-native botanical garden in Florida. Pan’s Garden is free; Mounts charges an admission.