Last updated: 8/2/2023
Miami, Florida
Street Address
101 West Flagler StreetMiami, FL 33130
Mailing Address
101C West Flagler StreetMiami, FL 33130
phone: 305-375-1492
fax: 305-375-1609
e-mail: e.info@historymiami.org
web: www.historymiami.org

Hours

The Museum
Monday - Saturday
10 AM - 5 PM
Sunday
12 PM - 5 PM
Archives and Research Center
Sunday, Saturday
closed
Monday - Friday
10 AM - 4:30 PM

Admissions

Adults $8 Children $5 Seniors & Students with ID $7

Members: free
Children under 6: Free

Museum Type(s)

Staff

Natalia Crujeiras
phone:
Sobourney Barnes
phone:
Stefanie Fornaris
phone:
Michael Knoll
phone: 305-375-1493
Adriana Millares
phone: 305-375-1492
Suarmis Travieso
phone:
Hana Squires
phone:
Michele Reese
phone:
Olgasabrina Rueda
phone:
Vanessa Cambrelen
phone:
Description

HistoryMiami is the premier cultural institution committed to gathering, organizing, preserving and celebrating Miami’s history as the unique crossroads of the Americas. We accomplish this through exhibitions, city tours, education, research, collections and publications, HistoryMiami advocates for helping everyone understand the importance of the past in shaping Miami‘s future.

Mission

HistoryMiami connects people by telling the stories of Miami’s communities, individuals, places and events.

History
Background

HistoryMiami, formerly known as the Historical Museum of Southern Florida, was founded in 1940 as a historical association comprised of famous Miamians including George Merrick, Charlton Tebeau and Marjory Stoneman Douglas. The Association established the first museum for regular public use in 1962 and ten years later, moved to a larger facility within the Miami Science Museum, expanding its exhibition and educational programs. From 1974 to 1979, the Historical Museum of Southern Florida focused on developing storyline exhibitions and its professional staff. In 1984, the Historical Museum moved to downtown Miami, the site of its present facility in the Miami-Dade Cultural Center. On April 29, 2010 the Historical Museum of Southern Florida was officially renamed to HistoryMiami. The new brand direction and name was unveiled during the annual membership meeting attended by board members, community leaders, staff and members, as well as area residents. The rebranding was a direct result of a year-long effort to encompass the past history which defines the region as well as the future direction of our community more suitably. On July 28, 2011 HistoryMiami was formally received as a Smithsonian Institution Affiliate. The institution's Certificate of Affiliation was presented by Assistant Secretary for Education and Access for the Smithsonian Institution Claudine Brown in a gathering which included Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez and Miami-Dade County School Board Vice-Chairman Dr. Lawrence Feldman. As an affiliate, HistoryMiami will have access to Smithsonian resources—including collections, scholarship, traveling exhibitions and the opportunity to extend membership benefits. The new Smithsonian membership benefits provided to supporting members may include subscriptions to publications, discounts at Smithsonian Museum stores and online stores, or travel and study opportunities.

Permanent Exhibitions
Tropical Dreams: A People's History of South Florida

Tropical Dreams explores South Florida history from prehistoric times to the present day. Topics explored include First Arrivals, International Rivalry, Southward Expansion, New People - New Technology, and Gateway of the Americas. The history of South Florida is the story of humans in a unique environment. It began more than 10,000 years ago with the arrival of prehistoric Indians and continues to the multi-cultural metropolis of today. Throughout the ages, the story has been characterized by arrivals--the immigration of people from many different places and cultures into the region. These varied peoples brought their dreams with them, and remade South Florida over and over again to fulfill those dreams. They also adapted to the region’s subtropical environment, interacted with other cultures in South Florida, and, in the process, changed into something new and unusual. This is their story.

Artifact Collections
Object Collections

HistoryMiami’s Object Collection consists of three-dimensional artifacts related to South Florida. The collection contains artifacts ranging from pre-Colombian pieces to contemporary items, such as tools, furniture, boats, aviation materials, clothing, musical instruments and religious objects. The collection includes over 37,000 items, mostly from the twentieth century, and an additional 550 cubic feet of archaeological material.

Research Collections

The HistoryMiami Archives and Research Center collects, safeguards, and makes accessible materials that document the Miami region, South Florida and the Caribbean. The collection includes a rare, complete double elephant folio edition of John James Audubon’s The Birds of America, as well as 6,000 bound volumes, 1,900 maps and more than one million historic photographs, making it one of the most important archival and research centers in the state.

Facilities
Miami-Dade Cultural Plaza

Designed by Philip Johnson, the downtown Miami Cultural Plaza is home to HistoryMiami and the Main Public Library. The Sculpture Garden located between the two buildings, is accented with the impressive Spanish-Mediterranean architecture that features expansive views of Miami-Dade County’s Government Center and historic Courthouse. Special moments await you as you ascend the covered walk, alongside the cascading waters of the illuminated marble fountain, to find yourself transported in time to this oasis of culture and elegance.

Auditoriums
Performance Areas
Governance

Private Non-Profit

Library
Archives & Research Center

The HistoryMiami Archives and Research Center collects, safeguards, and makes accessible materials that document the Miami region, South Florida and the Caribbean. It houses HistoryMiami’s archives and non-circulating library, and is open to the public. The Archives & Research Center is open Monday - Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Access: General Public, Students, Scholars
Appointment required: No
Publications

HM - The magazine of HistoryMiami is a popular history magazine. Tequesta - Annual scholarly journal

Services
Special Event Rental
Group Tours
ADA
Wheelchair Accessible
Parking
Restrooms
Exhibitions
Museum Events
DISCLAIMER
This information, including business hours, addresses and contact information is provided for general reference purposes only. No representation is made or warranty is given as to its content or the reliability thereof. User assumes all risk of use. Stories USA, Inc. and its content suppliers assume no responsibility for any loss or delay resulting from such use. Please call ahead to verify the dates, the location and directions.

MUSEUM CONFERENCES

Museum Trustee Association Spring Forum 2024

April 10 - 14, 2024

Atlanta, Georgia

Texas Association of Museums 2024 Lubock Annual Conference

April 14 - 17, 2024

Lubbock, Texas

2024 Colorado-Wyoming ANNUAL MEETING

May 1 - 4, 2024

Worland, Wyoming

West Virginia Association of Museums 2024 Conference

June 6 - 8, 2024

Shepherdstown, West Virginia

RECENT UPDATES

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02/18 Tessellate

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10/30 Museum Fabrication Group, LLC

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03/07 ConservArt Inc.

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Museum Associations

03/07 South Carolina Federation of Museums

Columbia, South Carolina