History
and museums
As far as history goes, Miami’s
is not
that long with just over 100 years as an urban
area. But for a large coral rock, there is an
impressively long natural history. As the adage
goes, “everyone here is from somewhere else”; and
because the area has become such an important
international hub, there is an appreciation for
preserving natural and cultural histories.
Some of
the city's historical attractions, such as the
Ancient Spanish
Monastery, are imported. Some took on importance
for other reasons, such as the old Miami News tower,
now known as the Freedom
Tower, an important
landmark to those who fled Castro’s tyranny in
Cuba. And some became of historical importance
through accident or tragedy, such as Casa
Casaurina --
where fashion designer Gianni Versace
was gunned down.
Miami has
several outstanding museums,
including the Wolfsonian
on Miami Beach and the
Historical
Museum of Southern Florida. For art
lovers, the Bass Museum on Miami Beach,
Miami Art
Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art are among
a wide variety of museums and galleries to soothe
the soul and enrich the spirit. Vizcaya and the
Barnacle State
Historical Site show us a Miami from
a bygone era.
And the Miami Museum of Science and the
Space
Transit Planetarium explain how humans and nature have evolved on the southern tip of the Florida
peninsula.
And there are a few edifices that need no
classification. The haunting Holocaust Memorial on
Miami Beach is sure to leave an impression on every
visitor, regardless of the person's ethnic or cultural
background.
