Miami Beach: America’s Tropical Resort
June 23, 2006 through January 14, 2007

It’s June in Miami! Discover the glamorous story of Miami Beach—its transformation from a 1910 mangrove-covered sandbar into a world-famous resort city, attracting over 4 million tourists annually. Recreating that magical tourist experience, museum visitors will “check in” to a replica of a Miami Modern hotel and begin their journey through the glamorous history of Miami Beach. Topics explored will include the beach’s early history, public relations and advertising, transportation, hotels and motels, recreation and workers including celebrities. The advantageous climate and its impact on tourist development will be the central theme of the exhibition.

Over 100 artifacts will be on display, including vintage bathing suits from the late teens to the 1950s, a piece of the wooden 1913 Collins Bridge, a 1930s switchboard from the Skylark Hotel, a 1935 slot machine, a polo mallet from 1926, hotel silver and china, uniforms, swizzle sticks, matchboxes, postcards and photographs dating back to the early 1920s. Footage from the Louis Wolfson II Florida Moving Image Archive will feature home videos of vacationers and promotional films.

The exhibition will offer several interactive activities for families. Kids will have an opportunity to see specimens of marine life such as mangrove pods, build their own Art Deco hotel puzzle, compare and contrast vintage advertisements and have their photo taken as 1956’s Miss Miami Beach. A variety of educational programs will be offered in conjunction with the Miami Beach: America’s Tropical Resort exhibition. One Thursday a month from October through January, the Historical Museum will host an evening of free cultural programming. Visitors can enjoy a free, guided tour of the exhibition, along with panel discussions and live musical performances related to Miami Beach’s history and cultural traditions. Free Family Fun Days will be offered every Saturday beginning September 9 through December 2 from 1 to 3 p.m., with hands-on activities for children related to the exhibition.

View Family Guide (PDF)

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Organized by the Historical Museum of Southern Florida.

Miami Beach : America’s Tropical Resort is made possible from the generous personal and institutional contributions of the following: Seth Bramson, Antolin Carbonell, Jerry and Jane Goodman, Dr. John Nordt, Patsy West, the City of Miami Beach, the City of Sunny Isles Beach and the Jewish Museum of Florida.