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PRESERVATION TODAY NEWS Volume 2, Issue 3 Fall, 2002

President's Notebook by

BILL MURPHY, DHT President

I was recently asked why I got involved in historic preservation and I thought I would share my answer with you.

When I moved to Miami 20 years ago, everything seemed so new, so focused on the future. Maybe it was the heat and humidity that seemed to rot everything away, maybe it was my age ... fresh out of college, I was focused on my future. As I explored the area, I "discovered" such treasures as Vizcaya, Cauley Square, The Barnacle, the homes from Morningside to Charles Avenue, the farms of The Redland ... the list went on and on. I began to realize that all these places had people behind them ... some noteworthy names, others just regular folks who moved to Miami and made an impact on the community we share. With few exceptions, most of us came here from somewhere else, maybe decades ago or just yesterday. Whether we stay a lifetime or just a short while, we become part of the continuum that is Miami, making our own impact however great or small. By under­standing and preserving our collective past, we can feel connected to the place, to the community we live in. And that is a vel}' nice feeling.

You are cordially invited tt

DHT's Annual Holiday Party

7:00 p.m.

Monday, December 16, 2002

at the Historic Morningside Home of

Alyce and Neil Robertson 5991 N E 6th Street

Miami

$35 for DHT members $40 for Non-Members RSVP: 305.358.9572

November 2002

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Preservationists have always intuited that caring about and for historic buildings is a good thing for the community. Now, a study commissioned by the Florida Dept. of State and conducted jointly by the Center for Governamental Responsibility at the Univ. of Florida and the Center for Urban Policy Research at Rutgers Univ. has revealed the economic impact of historic preservation to be $4.2 billion a year and more than 120,000 jobs. In addition, their comparison of property appraiser information in nine historic districts and non-historic districts in eight Florida citie found no case where historic preservation depressed property values, bu~ actually values were either stable or appreciated more quickly in historic areas. Copies of the study are available at 850.245.6333 or 850.228.8128.

Preservation Today News I page 2

Local Preservation Research in Action

Part 1

Homestead High School U.S.History teacher Susan Hopkins shepherded her social studies students in doing primary research on the Parson Jones family, an African-American family of prosperous farmers who home­steaded Porgy and Toten Keys. Eventually, the family sold the land to the National Park Service to form Biscayne National Park. A large interpretive panel in the Discovery Room at the Visitor Center at Biscayne National Park acknowledges the role the students played in the research.

Hopkins and her students are part of the Community Studies Project in Dade County Public Schools.

"---~he program al ows eachers 0 rorm inteF-aisciplintrry teams within schools to explore different approaches to studying their communities. The project partners are The Historical Museum of Southern Florida, Dr. Gregory Bush, history professor at the University of Miami, and Josh Young, an expert in the field of service learning, of Miami Dade Community College. Now in its third year, the pro­gram involves thirty-seven schools with sixty-six teachers participating. Over one thousand students are involved in historic research.

Go/den Wings: Miami's Aviation Heritage

Theme set for Dade Heritage Days 2003

In celebration of the 75th anniversary of Miami International Airport, DHT's theme for Dade Heritage Days 2003 will be Go/den Wings: Miami's Aviation Heritage. Dade Heritage Days will take place from March 9-April 30, 2003.

Few Miamians realize that Miami has a rich history in the commercial development of aviation. Howard Gill brought a Wright brothers' aircraft to Miami in 1911, herald­ing the beginning of this new industry in a very young city.

-Secause of! s s ra eglc location an goo wea er Miami became an ideal location for flyers. International aviation began at the Pan Am facility on Dinner Key, but Pan Am got its start in 1927 carrying mail between Key West and Havana. It moved to Dinner Key in 1928 for the better rail connection. Franklin Roosevelt, the first president to fly while in office, took off from Dinner Key, as did many celebrities.

Other commercial ventures were Chalks' International Airline, begun in 1917 by Arthur 'Pappy' Chalk, with a single Curtiss F flying boat. Inventor and airplane designer Glenn Curtiss himself moved to Miami in 1923 to open a flight school, but extended his interests to the cre­ation of Miami Springs, Opa-Iocka, and Hialeah. To provide air service to the north, Eastern Airlines, then known as Pitcairn Aviation, was established in 1928.

As explained by Kathy Hersh, originator of the pro­gram and a DHT board member, " Our objective in this pro­gram is to get students fired up about history, especially local history. We get their attention by relating history to real people in the community, and we've got plenty of local his­tory to get excited about, much of it begging for researchers. Once the kids experience the thrill of discov­ery, they're hooked. Then we teach them how to become

World War I saw the establishment of Chapman Field in Coral Gables; during World War II airmen took para­chute trainfng classes in the Colonnade building in Coral

~ ..Gables. About 1944, a U.S. Coast Guard base was built. advocates for preservation. It's a natural transition."

Part 2 DHT member and Miami City Cemetery committee mem­

Called the Richmond Naval Air Station, it is near the site of today's Metrozoo.

--er,-ri/1iReMitc he II , Is worKln~ron a major, ntenatiunahvebc_o------U1£ll:e..J;~lU.C;nJlQ..J::.eJ.lID[aIfLallQ..Jm!lill.!lJJ.llD.l;l.....L!i!.Q!e._ __ _1 page for the Sons of the Confederate Veterans. It will Heritage Days 2003. All DHT members are encouraged to include information on how to restore damaged markers, participate in the many lectures, events, and tours. To par-how to research military records and order governmemt ticipate call DHT at 305.358.9572. Come join the fun!

markers for military graves that are unmarked. It will also tell ppoper installation and etiquette for military gravesites. Eventually this wil Ibe modified to fit the Sons of Union Veterans homepage.

Part 3 DHT Board member Kathy Hersh is researching the possi­bility that Martin Luther King gave his signature "I Have A Deam" speech at Miami's Hampton House before going to Washington. She has been in tourch with local CORE lead­ers, the King Center in Atlanta and the Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tenn. Any DHT member who has information useful to the search is asked to call DHT to leave a mes­sage for Kathy.

Support Local Preservationists

~ The Villagers, a group dedicated to the restora­tion and preservation of historic sites, holds Entrada Enchantment: The 2002 Villagers House Tour on Friday December 6 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. featuring six lovely houses in the Coconut Grove area. Admission is by advance ticket sales only. For more information call 305.666 .3226

The Woman's Club of Coconut Grove is collecting books on Art, Architechure and Antiques for a specialty book sale dur­ing the Grove Arts Festival in February, 2003. This is a good way to contribute to WCCG, to make room on your bookshelves and receive a tax deduction. Phone Dt>IIy Mac Intyre for more info at 305.856.9533.

Preservation Today News page 3

Many thanks to David W. Swetland for his donation to DHT of a Conservation Easement on the historic Poinciana Cottage in Coconut Grove. This 1910 era building is the last intact cottage built by Commodore Ralph Munroe for his Camp Biscayne, a retreat for winter visitors. Mr. Swetland also made a generous donation of $20,000 to DHT, which we deeply appreciate.

Many thanks to Dell and Bill Davis for making a donation to DHT as a 40th anniversary gift to Don and Janet MacCuliough. What a great idea! We appreciate the Davis' thoughtfulness, and we appreciate the MacCulioughs for their caring-and sharing their caring-over the years.

Many thanks to Miami High Alums and supporters who have contributed over $46,000 to Save Old Miami High. We also thank Eugene Threadgill of McLean, Va. , and Mary Louise Grant of Atlanta for joining DHT as new members and for sending wonderful letters recalling an earlier Miami.

Old Miami High-After intensive negotiations with the City of Miami and Kevin Reilly of KV Brickell Partners, Ltd, we are moving forward on an agreement to transfer the Old Miami High Bungalow, the first high school building in Miami. We have to relocate the structure in 120 days, so we're gearing up for a marathon of logistics and activity.

DHT Headquarters-Ever since DHT was damaged by Dr. Jackson's House demolition next door, our historic headquarters has had a tough time. We continue to be under siege with highrise construction on every side, torn up streets, little parking and legal delays with the City in allowing us to repair the exterior damages. The one bright spot has been the generous gift of The Villagers, who allocated $6000 in emergency repairs to replace the dead airconditioner and repair the damaged interior ceiling. Many thanks to this wonderful group of preservationists, and bless them every one!

Richard Heisenbottle stands on scaffolding at the top of the auditorium of Gusman Theater · 63 ft. in the air!

DHT Board Member Heads Restoration of Local Landmark

Architect Richard Heisenbottle, a DHT Board member, led the extensive restoration of historic Gusman Theater in downtown Miami. Called "the Crown Jewel of Theaters in <Miami", the Gusman was designed by renowned theater architect John Eberson in 1926. Inspired by an antique Persian incense burner found in an antique shop, Eberson created the illusion of an amphitheater set in the courtyard of a Mediteranean villa "complete with dark blue evening sky with twinkling stars, chirping birds and rolling clouds." The theater reopened on Oct. 10, 2002 for its regular sea­son.

Please help DHT update our membership lists! Tear off this section, fill in the correct information and send it to the DHT headquarters at 190 SE 12th Terrace, Miami, FL 33131 or call 305.358.9572.

Name: ______________________________________________________________ __ Address: __________________________ _ Telephone Number: _______________________ _ Fax Number: ___________________________ __ Email: ______________________________ _

Preservation Today News page 4

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: - + - + -: I I IHoliday Gift Ideas: The Spirit of the season is to cel-I lebrate life, love and to share these with the folks in l Iyour community. What better way to the light of past I :glOry than - :

:DHT s beautiful book, Miami s HistoriC: INeighborhoods ($49.95) , makes a perfect HolidaYI IGift. Call 305-358-9572 to order by credit card andl Iwe II ship for you. I I I IA DHT membership also makes a thoughtful gift I I I IFoliow the example of Dell and Bill Davis and make a

~o~t~~i~ ~!:~ ~ ~o~o~ ~ :!~~ . ___ .... _. J Preserve DHT's Bulk Mail Permit.

When sending a DHT magazine, newsletter, brochure, or invitation to a friend, please add postage. DHT's bulk mail permit doesn't allow forwarding mail. Items sent without correct postage are automatically tossed out by the post office!

Dade Heritage Trust 190 SE 12th Terrace Miami, FL 33131

Facts and Figures: the Revolving Fund

What is a Revolving Fund? A sum of money (in DHT's case $700,000) avail­

able for low interest loans to municipalities, non-profits, businesses or residents who are trying to save eligible historic properties.

Who controls the funds? The fund is administered by a Standing

Committee of DHT.

What is the purpose of the Fund? The mission of the Dade Heritage Trust

Revolving Fund will be 1) to save endagered historic properties in Miami-Dade County, 2) to promote the revi­talization of historic neighborhoods and districts, with special consideration given to those with greatest eco­nomic need, and 3) to demonstrate to the community the economic and social benefits of historic preserva­tion.

How does the fund work? Anyone interested in applying for a loan should

call DHT headquarters at 305.358.9572 for details on eligibility requirements, loan repayment schedules and loan applications.

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