Lectures

Hernando D’Escalante Fontaneda was 13 years old when he survived a shipwreck in Florida in 1549. He and his brother were sailing from their home in Cartagena to be educated in Salamanca, Spain. In his memoir, Fontaneda wrote that the Calusas enslaved him rather than martyring him, like other shipwreck survivors, because he obeyed their […]

In 1933, Batista's Cuban Revolution forced Desi Arnaz and his dad to flee to Miami, where the penniless 16-year-old arrived without the ability to speak, read, or understand English. He cleaned canary cages, laid tile, and struggled to save money by sleeping in a warehouse. At St. Patrick Catholic School, Desi learned English, practiced guitar, […]

When Walt Disney realized cheap tourist traps were enveloping Disneyland, he began a nationwide search for enough land to hold every dream he could imagine. What happened next would require a heightened degree of CIA-level secrecy for Disney's undercover team, which launched a misinformation campaign that included dummy corporations and secret transactions. However, when a […]

The City of Opa-locka is Miami-Dade County's eighth oldest municipality, founded in 1926 by American aviator and inventor Glenn Curtiss. A city built in the theme of Arabian Nights and with an architectural motif known today as Moorish Revival, a new movement has taken hold to identify, resurrect, and preserve landmarks from the past through […]

The goals of historic preservation are often at odds with efforts to protect properties from climate change. While preservation encourages maintaining a property’s historic appearance, climate change adaptation often requires change, sometimes radical change, to maintain the safety of a building and its occupants. As the impacts of flooding and intense storms are increasing in […]

The 1925 Paris Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes, the birthplace of Art Deco, introduced a groundbreaking design style characterized by bold geometric shapes, symmetry, and sleek stylization. Originating in France, Art Deco spread worldwide, evolving to reflect regional influences and aesthetics. The Wolfsonian's chief curator, Silvia Barisione, will journey us through this […]

Following the landmark 1925 Paris Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes, Art Deco blossomed, transforming everything from skyscrapers and cars to teacups and everyday objects. Art historian Madeleine Deschamps will explore a design movement mirroring a society in flux, balancing exuberance with social change in France and the United States. Organized by Wolfsonian-FIU […]

Before Art Deco took hold, the Mediterranean Revival architectural style put southeastern Florida on the map. This style, now taken for granted in Florida, was revolutionary at its introduction in the 1920s. For northerners accustomed to the Beaux Art behemoths of New York or Boston, the colorful tilework and shaded courtyards in the "magic city" […]

Take a visit back to Miami Beach's 90s with images from CANDIDS Miami and CANDIDS Miami 2 by photojournalist Manny Hernandez. Including Robin Williams filming Birdcage on Ocean Drive, Madonna walking on Washington Avenue, Gianni Versace in front of his Ocean Drive mansion and much more. Chat will be moderated by former 90s Senior Editor […]

Featured Speaker: Joel Levine The Industrial Revolution caused significant social changes to information processing and worker housing, creating a need for new types of buildings. These needs were met by the new technologies of industrialization, steel, and reinforced concrete. Architects experimenting with these materials went on to create Art Deco and other innovative styles of architecture. […]

Deco-in-Motion: Art Moderne in the Age of Mass Transit Date: Saturday, January 10, 2026 Time: 11am–12pm Location: The Wolfsonian–FIU @ 1001 Washington Avenue In the early to mid-20th century, streamlined design— exemplified by trains, planes, automobiles, and ocean liners—came to symbolize progress and modernity. In this presentation, Wolfsonian chief librarian Frank Luca will focus on the confluence of […]

Bend It Like Breuer: Modern Plywood Design of the 1930s and 1940s Date: Saturday, January 10, 2026 Time: 1–2pm Location: The Wolfsonian–FIU @ 1001 Washington Avenue Bent plywood became a hallmark of modern design in the 1930s and 1940s, uniting artistry, innovation, and function. In this talk, curator James Zemaitis traces the style's evolution through pioneers like Marcel […]

Unlocking an Art Deco Bedroom by Joseph Urban Date: Saturday, January 10, 2026 Time: 3–4pm Location: The Wolfsonian–FIU @ 1001 Washington Avenue Share / Save    In 1929, architect and designer Joseph Urban was commissioned to create a bedroom for 17-year-old Elaine Wormser, who lived with her parents in Chicago's Drake Tower. This bespoke bedroom is now part of […]

Aviation in Miami: HistoryMiami Resident Historian, Dr. Paul S. George Date: Sunday, January 11, 2026 Time: 12pm–1pm Location: The Wolfsonian–FIU @ 1001 Washington Avenue Explore the history of aviation in Miami. Learn about some of aviation’s iconic figures from Amelia Earhart to Bessie Coleman and Glenn Curtiss. Reflect upon the site of the former Pan American Seaplane Terminal […]

Art Deco Through Dance & Movement: an Experiential Lecture with Dance NOW! Miami & The South Beach Chamber Ensemble Date: Sunday, January 11, 2026 Time: 3pm–4pm Location: The Wolfsonian–FIU @ 1001 Washington Avenue Dance NOW! Miami and the South Beach Chamber Ensemble showcase the music and dance that helped make the Art Deco Era famous. This performative lecture […]