Fortlandia Exhibit Returns With Interactive Forts at the Wildflower Center
Explore the Wildflower Center’s new lineup of imaginative, custom-designed forts through Jan. 31
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center’s celebrated Fortlandia exhibition has returned for its ninth year with custom-designed forts created by local architects, designers and artists.
The family-friendly interactive exhibition inspires people of all ages to engage with the natural world. Each unique themed fort aims to inspire an appreciation of natural environments through innovative and sustainable designs while invoking a childlike spirit of wonder and creativity.
“We have a lot of fun producing Fortlandia,” said Erika Tucker, Wildflower Center hospitality director. “It’s incredible to see the forts go from concept to reality at the hands of so many creative people.”
A collection of innovative designs
The new lineup includes Calliope by Dave Threlkeld and Mary Wendel of The Art Mines; Armadillo Alebrije by GEM; Adaptive Tree-Use by Webber + Studio Architects, Monkeyhouse Tree Nets, Red Dog Welding Co. and Skelly Build; and Bats in the Attic by Mikaela Meyering, Bes Builder, Bes Roofing and Juan Lopez.
Visitors can also explore Geometry of Play by DLR Group and Joeris; Welcome Home by Nicole Mwei and Sneha Subramanian of Steinberg Hart; Sundrops by LPA Design Studios and Emily Eisenhart; and Bluestar by Nicholas DeBruyne and Wevolve Labs.
One fort from last season will stay in the Family Garden. Prairie Schooner, by R-T Krempetz and Aidan Krempetz, is now a “Forever Fort,” the Wildflower Center’s name for a structure that remains after its original Fortlandia run.
“Fortlandia is both nostalgic and forward-looking, and that’s part of what makes it magical,” said Lee Clippard, Wildflower Center executive director. “To see families so excited and engaged in our gardens is incredibly positive for everyone involved in the project. Nature-based play is a powerful way to engage children, and Fortlandia delivers on that, year after year.”
Hands-on creation and exploration
Plenty of other masterpieces will be available for families to explore, including a fort-building center where visitors are encouraged to make their own forts using materials provided on-site.
Upon check-in, guests can pick up a free “Passfort” journal filled with a map and creative prompts to document, doodle and reflect on observations found in the gardens. They are available in both English and Spanish for explorers of all ages.
Fortlandia hours
Guests can get a first look at the new forts during the Fortlandia Grand Opening Party on Thursday, Oct. 1, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The exhibition opens Friday, Oct. 2, and runs through Jan. 31, 2027. Frightlandia brings trick-or-treating at the forts, a costume contest and live creature demonstrations to the gardens on Sunday, Oct. 25, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The activities are included with regular admission.
The site will be closed Nov. 27, Dec. 24, 25 and 31, and Jan. 1. For more information, visit the Wildflower Center’s website.