The Madness and the Myth

Unraveling the fascinating story of Dutch Tulipmania

BOOK YOUR TULIP TALK

Let your next event blossom with our Tulip Talk!

Looking to add a truly memorable touch to your next social, cultural, or corporate event? Historian Heather Bolen, founder of Travel & Culture Salon, brings the vibrant history and art of tulips to life with our Tulip Talk—a unique, engaging experience tailored to your audience. Whether your gathering is intimate or large, in-person or virtual, casual or formal, we customize every detail to suit your occasion and create lasting impressions.

ABOUT THE TULIP TALK

Step back into the 17th-century Netherlands and explore the captivating story of Dutch Tulipmania—the world’s first recorded economic bubble, a tale that continues to fascinate historians, artists, and economists alike.

Heather Bolen unpacks how a humble flower ignited a speculative frenzy that reshaped Dutch society, art, and commerce. Discover how tulip bulbs became coveted symbols of wealth and status, driving prices to astonishing heights before the market’s dramatic collapse echoed across Europe.

This talk covers:

  • The origins and cultural significance of the tulip in Dutch Golden Age society

  • A detailed walkthrough of the dramatic events in the critical weeks of February 1637

  • The economic dynamics and social impact of Tulipmania, separating fact from fiction

  • How this phenomenon influenced art, commerce, and popular imagination

Perfect for social, cultural, and corporate events, this customizable talk blends storytelling, history, and art to create a memorable, thought-provoking experience. Tulipmania comes alive through expert narration and engaging visuals that spark curiosity and conversation.

Typical duration: 45–60 minutes, adaptable to your event’s needs.

REQUEST A CUSTOM QUOTE

Pricing varies based on event size, format, and location. For events outside the NYC area, transportation and travel expenses are the responsibility of the client.

CREATIVE IDEAS FOR YOUR TULIP TALK

  • Petals & Prosecco

    Tulips and Tea? Blooms and Brunch? Imagine a gathering where your group sips prosecco or tea and enjoys delicious bites while uncovering the rich, surprising history of tulips in a lively, engaging atmosphere.

    Perfect for birthdays, Mother’s Day, bridal showers, or a sophisticated twist on a bachelorette party, this event brings something truly unique to the table. It’s a chance to celebrate, connect, and explore stories as colorful and captivating as the tulips themselves.

  • Teams & Tulips

    Consider adding a refreshing and inspiring session to your next corporate retreat, seminar, or team-building event—one that brings the fascinating world of tulips to life through rich historical insights. This experience breaks from the usual agenda by blending culture, history, and art to spark fresh perspectives and creativity among your team.

    Ideal for energizing corporate gatherings, the Tulip Talk adds a memorable layer of engagement that’s thought-provoking, culturally enriching, and perfectly tailored to your group’s needs.

  • Garden Party

    Host a delightful garden party for you and your favorite gardening friends—a relaxed yet enriching experience that dives into the world of tulips and their remarkable history. Set against the beauty of your own garden or a charming outdoor space, our Tulip Talk offers a refreshing blend of botanical history and seasonal inspiration, sparking meaningful conversations and creating a memorable gathering for fellow garden enthusiasts.

PLAN YOUR EVEN TODAY

WHAT OUR GUESTS OUR SAYING

  • "The Greens Farms Garden Club very much enjoyed your presentation about one of the world's most famous flowers, the tulip! You guided us through the tulip's botanical and cultural past with a slide show that took us around the world. Your personal experience of being an historian and living in Europe created a fun, unique and memorable experience for our club. We will all be looking forward to watching for our tulip bulbs to appear next spring."

    —Donna, The Greens Farms Garden Club, Westport, Connecticut

  • “Our residents were thoroughly captivated by Heather's Tulip Talk. The presentation was beautifully done—full of rich visuals, fascinating anecdotes, and just the right mix of education and enjoyment. It sparked great conversations afterward and left everyone smiling. We would absolutely recommend this talk to other communities looking for something inspiring, elegant, and enriching."

    – Crystal, Activities Director, Retirement Community, Nashville, Tennessee

MEET YOUR HISTORIAN

Heather Bolen holds an M.A. in Early Modern European History from Emory University and is the founder of Travel & Culture Salon. Having lived in the Netherlands with her family, she developed a deep appreciation for Amsterdam’s layered history, serene canals, vibrant tulip landscapes, and the rich cultural traditions that weave them together. This experience sparked her enduring fascination with the tulip—not only as a botanical marvel but as a powerful symbol in art, economics, and society.

Heather’s talks blend rigorous historical insight with engaging storytelling designed to captivate gardening enthusiasts, art lovers, history buffs, and anyone curious about the cultural tapestry of Amsterdam and beyond. Her presentations offer meaningful context and fresh perspectives that enrich your understanding of the stories behind flowers, artworks, and iconic places—transforming familiar subjects into immersive, memorable experiences.

SCHEDULE A CHAT WITH HEATHER