The Historic Stranahan House Museum (Stranahan House) turned into a vibrant tropical oasis for the 19th Annual Pineapple Jam on the evening of April 10, 2026. The scenic New River framed a stunning backdrop for the effortless, elegant tropical soirée at Broward County’s oldest and most historic home. More than 200 community leaders, philanthropists and influencers came together to celebrate both Fort Lauderdale’s history and the future of the Stranahan House.
The event surpassed its fundraising goal, generating more than $63,000 in proceeds to support the preservation of the historic site while fostering new opportunities for both the local community and visitors. The funds will help enhance Stranahan House’s facilities and programming, ensuring its enduring role as a vibrant and essential cultural institution.
Guests dressed in tropical chic attire experienced an evening filled with open bars provided by Gulf Stream Distillery and Tarpon River Brewing and delicious food catered by Hugh’s Catering. Guitarist Mike Day provided the soundtrack for the evening. Supporters had the opportunity to bid on one-of-a-kind items and exclusive experiences through a raffle and silent auction.
From the “Pineapple Jam” tropical welcome drink to the piña colada dessert spread, and woven throughout the venue’s décor, the pineapple showed up at every turn as a symbol of the event’s focus on hospitality and welcome. When Pineapple Jam was conceptualized 19 years ago, the pineapple was chosen as the fundraiser’s symbol as a nod to the warm, open-door spirit that has always defined the Stranahan House and Frank and Ivy’s manifesto.
Co-chaired by Marianna Seiler DeJager and Brianna Reeves, Pineapple Jam is the Stranahan House’s largest annual fundraising event. The 2026 event honored Ashley Boxer as the Pioneer Honoree and Miller Construction as the Corporate Honoree for their dedication to help share Fort Lauderdale’s cultural and civic life through their commitment to preservation, education and community impact.
“We are incredibly grateful to all those who joined us for the 19th Annual Pineapple Jam to support the Stranahan House,” said Executive Director Jennifer Belt. “The evening wouldn’t have been possible without the vision and generosity of our Co-chairs Marianna Seiler Dejager and Brianna Reeves, our board members and dedicated supporters who are committed to the historic preservation of the Stranahan House and creating a space that will serve the Fort Lauderdale community and inspire generations to come.”
The Stranahan House is the oldest house in Fort Lauderdale and the epicenter of Broward County’s long and fascinating history. Built in 1901, Stranahan House is recognized as the birthplace of Fort Lauderdale and was home to the area’s first businessman, Frank Stranahan, and the first schoolteacher, Ivy Cromartie Stranahan. Stranahan House opened as a museum in 1984.
The 2026 Platinum Palm Tree Sponsors were Amazon and Tripp Scott. The Golden Sunshine Sponsors were Akerman
Broward, Palm Beaches & St. Lucie Realtors, Fertig & Gramling, John Knox Village, Miller Construction Company, Memorial Healthcare and Whitney Dutton & Family.
The In-Kind Sponsors were Hugh’s Catering, Gulf Stream Distillery, J. Street Imports, Las Olas Company
Las Olas Magazine, MHG Insurance, Mike Daly, New River Café, Poppy Lane Florals and Tarpon River Brewing.
The 2026 Pineapple Jam committee members included Whitney Dutton, Lindsay Lehn, Sarah Lis, Maggie Gunther, Daphne Shephard Karl, Yoni Anijar, Caroline Carrara, and Abbie Lipton.
About Historic Stranahan House and Museum:
The Historic Stranahan House and Museum, the oldest and most historically significant surviving structure in Broward County, has served as a trading post, post office, town hall and home to the Stranahans. Frank Stranahan is Fort Lauderdale’s first businessman and most respected pioneer. His wife, Ivy Cromartie Stranahan, was the area’s first school teacher and a champion of many civic, social service, environmental and educational causes. Today, the mission of the Historic Stranahan House Museum is to tell the story of the birth of the community through the lives of two extraordinary people and the homestead they created and to serve as an enduring legacy of historic preservation. Its purpose is to preserve, interpret and promote the House, historic site and history of our community’s founding family. Every year, more than 3,000 fourth-grade school children and 30,000 tourists and locals visit, making the House one of the top cultural attractions in Fort Lauderdale. Stranahan House and Museum is located at 335 SE 6th Avenue Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, please visit www.stranahanhouse.org.
