The HistoryMiami Museum is a Smithsonian Affiliate museum and one of South Florida's most respected cultural institutions. Dedicated to preserving and celebrating the rich history of our area, this gorgeous 70,000 square-foot facility was founded in 1940 as the Historical Museum of South Florida. HistoryMiami is the largest history museum in the state and is a must-see destination for visitors as well as a crucial resource for local families and scholars from all over the globe.
HistoryMiami is conveniently located downtown on West Flagler Street and features four permanent exhibition areas and up to 4 traveling exhibits. The museum's alliance with the Smithsonian provides unparalleled opportunities for collaboration and scholarship, allowing HistoryMiami to bring highly-acclaimed Smithsonian exhibitions directly to the residents of South Florida. The Research Center at HistoryMiami is world-renowned, featuring a vast archive of photos and other visual materials, the Woodrow W. Wilkins Archives of Architectural Records, the Charlton W. Tebeau Library, and an impressive collection of artifacts dating back to the pre-Columbian Period.
Visitors will particularly enjoy HistoryMiami's Whitman Family Gallery and Folklife Gallery. The Whitman family is a prominent and pioneering Miami Beach clan with accomplishments extending back over 100 years, including the creation of The Whitman, an elegant Art Deco hotel built in 1935, and the iconic Bal Harbor Shops in 1965. The gallery named in their honor displays an interesting variety of artifacts such as the very first underwater camera case, patented by the Whitmans and used in a 1952 Oscar-winning documentary. The Folklife Gallery is dedicated to celebrating the rich diversity of South Florida and preserving local traditional arts and culture. This gallery works closely with HistoryMiami's South Florida Folklife Center to offer a wide variety of exhibits and experiences including musical performances, dance, and storytelling.
Education and community outreach are vital elements of HistoryMiami's mission. The museum features engaging regular workshops on a vast array of subjects such as cooking with locally-sourced ingredients, genealogy, cigar rolling, aviation, and Miami true crime stories. There's a full schedule of summer programs and events for kids, and HistoryMiami also hosts adventurous outings to local areas Wynwood: A History of Street Art and South Beach Art Deco Walking Tour.
Related content: The South Beach Art Deco Walking Tour in Miami
HistoryMiami has a vibrant and active membership program and volunteer corps, and its convenient downtown location also makes it a perfect venue for special events, galas, weddings, film and television shoots, and much more. The museum will also host the second annual CultureFest305 on October 13 to celebrate Miami's best food, music, dance, and art.
Don't miss out on all HistoryMiami has to offer- make your plans to visit today!
For more things to do in Miami, register on 305area and connect to Miami's exciting arts and culture scene.
Cover photo courtesy of PxHere
