RVATIO DADE HERITAGE DAYS 1993

PRESERVATION TODAY o.r._ -­Bec6cy Roper Malkov

-~ --. AIh ........ s...

Colella ('TWie)~ TypopI'"

DADE HERITAGE TRUST , ..... OFFICERS ... " II

EIbJIbeth L ...... vtae PII '1 II

Ncnh K. SdIMIef T_

s.rutD.~ .. _, Jody '* ie.".

1MmEES ~W. a..m.. -­_ ..... "">'-a..:.- ... ~tw .......,­.... .­_ ..... JIm_ -..... _ ... -.::.:.t.. ":. -----...... _Sooo <an_ --..... .-. ....... , ---""'"'" -~ -~ --.-'--"........, --­NanoyUobmon --Becky Roper Melkov

ThornasJ. MalkoY ~J, MIIxweI E_ """"'" _ ...... ......

Raf ... ~,Jr

R~reAl!lid ......... 0 . ShetwI __

[))fa V .... ·FauI

~of .. BNrd -­DHT ......... Fund ,. 11 ..

ClcIr-.:t D. Sene*. II E __

l.ouiMt P. YIrbrough -"7 I a.-.. _c. Cook

FEATURES

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT By EU,.beth L. M.radf, Ph.D.

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AROUND THE TOWN 2

BAffiING THE STORM AT VIZCNfA By Doris Littlefield

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DADE HERITAGE DAYS By Be<>y Tilghman

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LESSONS FROM SOUTH DADE By Margot Ammidoom

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WE WILL REBUILD AND RESTORE By Louise Y",&rough

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FAIRCHILD'S RECOVERY By Nicholru R. Cocbhutt

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PRESERVING HISTORIC LANDSCAPES By Leonardo AI"",., AlA, ASLA

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THE SURVIVOR By Becky RDper Markoo

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Preservation Today Is published by Dade Heritage Trust 190 S.E. 12 Terrace, Miami, F~a33131 , Tel3Q5...358...9572. CopyrightC1993 by Dade Heritage Trust, Inc. Preservation Today ls fully protected by copyright and nothing that appears In It may be reproduced, whol~ or In part, without wrll1en permission. This edition has been pubHshed for Dade Heritage Trust by Murray Press, Inc., 305·751-6565.

AS DADE COUNTIANS CONTINUE to rebu ild and reorganize the ir bVt:$

"Afrer Andrew," the Dade Heri tage Board has cominued its concern for our mission of preserving our heritage. We have selected certain properties which we feel we can help directly such a.s Anderson's Comer and Duley Square, but we <Ire also working wirh other groups to provide suppon for .. Wider r(lnge of properties.

Several months ago. I was appointed, 3S the Trust's P~sident. to be 11 member

of the Boord of Trustees of We Will RebUild. This has enabled us to keep track of the plans of this important group as they progress. and to have input into those p131lS. Much of thei r work IS done in committee, and recently 3 new commiTtee was

formed, the Quality of Life Committee. This committee is co-chaired by Alan Fein and Penny McPhee. DHT is a member of this commiuce, along with other members of the culwm l an~ community, parks. and recrea tiona l faci li ties. DHT submitted tI requeSt fo r $250,CXX) to the committee for providing guidance and small matching loans for owners of historic properties dam:(lged by And rew. The Rebui ld Board wi ll be asked to include some of this request in a report to the Legislature regarding the allocation of increased tax rcvcnuL'S resulting from post·

Elizabeth L. Metcalf, Ph.D. hurricane rr.msactlons. Apparently thc Ddde delega tion is goi ng to havc som(" difficulty in getting these funds returned to Dade County. We will JUSt have to walt and see.

If you missed our Va lentine's Day member.;hip meeting at the T ilghmans' house, you misst .. d a great party. Jady Verrengia

and her commincc proVIded a sumptuous brunch. the house was beautiful and the day was a typIcal Flonda delIght. Wa tch fo r our Dade Hcrir:agc Days' announcement. We have more evenrs than ever this yea r, something for everyone.

See you at tnc kick.off, the Re·G rccning of Cauley Square!

PRF.SERVATION TODAY

Elitabeth L. Metcalf. Ph.D. President

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AROUND THE TOWN with

DADE HERITAGE TRU r CHRISTMAS meeting was enjoyed by all who came to share the holiday spirit at DHT Headquarters in the historic Dr. Jackson's Office.

Dennis Kaimen, Gay Bondurant. Jeanette Poole. Sam LaRowe. lady Verrengia and Shu Sampson

Elvis Crut. Kathy Pumer and DO'tt Sackrider

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Preservation ists

.l.ouue YarbTm.gh and Arnold Greenfield

EW" Reed. kit. and Erica Williams

PRESERVATION TODAY

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VALENTINE'S DAY BRUNCH

The weather and food couldn't have been be[[er for DHT's Valentine's Day Membership Brunch held a[ me beautiful Sou[h Greenway home of Jim and Be[Sy Tilghman.

DOrl cmd Jectrmelt Sle.nlick, Becky Roper Mal/coll, Don alld )eaJleUe Poole

Patrick Scluu{er alld hoSl.s Betsy and Jim Tilghman Ruth and Tom }cu;obs

PRESERVATION TODAY J

VALENTINE'S DAY BaUNCH

Bill and

Maggi Cook

Below! Membership Commiuee memlnn ALlen Fenlandel, ehainnan Jody VefTengia, Cheryl Uve.say, Norah Schn.efel', Betsy Tilghman and Lynn Kent

Betty and George Metcalf

&Iow, Vicky Martell and Bud Meyer

PRESERVATION TODAY

THE KAMPONG The Kampong of the National Tropical Botanical Garden hosted <I

ribbon cutting ceremony and luncheon inJ anuary [0 thank The Villagers historic preserva tion or~ni%3 [ion fo r thei r recent restoration of the Study of Dr. Ddvid ~irchi ld, world renowned botaniSt. Located in an 1892 bam on the grounds of the Coconut Grove estate. the Study will be open to the public as a museum.

Right: Maria Meyu, 'Vice

pre.Jident of The Kampong, and

Dr. William Klein, direclQY'

of Fairchild Tropical Garden

Rutoration architect Lester Pancoast taUu with Catherine Sweeney, Kampong Fund pt'esidellt .

Toby Muir, Kampong tru.stee, AndrNl Brian, Historical Museum ofSoulhent Florida directQ'r. and BerCTurn Z14dcennan, FTQ historian

Villagers Malinda Ck:ary. Elizabeth CovuJ. Jolly GUCM, Joan LaRoche and Janel Stoker study the e.xhibiu.

PRESERVATION TODAY 5

BATTLING THE STORM AT VIZCAYA "OUT OF THE BLUE EX­

panses of the Somh Atlantic. a whirling, howl­

ing wind·fury swooped mcrt::i lessly U(XlD the brightest playground in all the world and lashed it into a battleground of the elements. s[Jewn with death and ghastly debris." Could that read as a description of Hurricane Andrew! Yes, it could, but it is actually 3 deSCription of the Hurricane of 1926 that took a [011 of 220 dead, 6,328 injured and caused damages estimated to be up to $100 million in 1926 dollars.

James Deering, who died in 1925, had been concerned about storm tides when planning the building of Vizc.aya and had consulted local people and

by Doris Littlefield

Chalfin, Deering's own artistic super­visor (or the cscue rerumcd to Vitcaya in 1933.34 at the request of the heirs that any real artistic rtS[orarion was undertaken.

Over the years since that time Yizcaya has been affected by damaging hurricanes, but until Hurricane Andrew noO(: has bttn as devastating.

Hurricanes muS[ be considered a fact of life in South Florida , and preparations for the protection ofbuile scrucrurcs must be pbnned in advance ci acrual need. For many years, Viz.caya Museum has had an effective hurricane preparation plan wruch details the work necessary to protCCt the house. and we have had to implement thiS plan a

monirOfconditions. A motorgenel"door is available to provide minimal electriC power.

Hurricane Andrew arrived without much prior warning for the Miami area and rhe Museum stolff started Sunday morning, Augus[ IJrd, to prepare the. House. As we all now realizc. Andrew was a significantly violcnt storm.

The House interiors and the Col­lection were notdamagcd bJr the storm surge flooded the Basement with over 7 fet:t of water. Elccoical controls and air conditioning machinery housed there wen:: severely damaged: ma in­tenance equipment. rools and supplies Stored there were nllncd. The Cafe and Gift Shop were deV<ls£ared. The

Courtyard's new glass roof remained intact bur many rerracotta roof tiles blew of{ and the House roof under· layers were af. feered.

Despite the sto rm panels. severa l French

some experts about what to expect. There were no written records fur the site of the Vizcaya estate. Dr. John Gifford, the tTopical fo restry expert, said that "there is a great exaggel"dtion about the height to which hurricane tides gOi probably they would go no more than 2·J/4 feet above mean high tide ." C harles Torrey Simpson, thc nored narul"dj· ist, told Deering. "from the sta te­menu of an old settle r who marked on an oak tree the

When tht: ltemn .surge receded, Vi:rcaya was Left with $4 miUjOtl in damage .

doors blew open, damaging the wood and hardware. Vizcaya's Frenc h doors a nd wood casement windows are now over 75 years old and the wood shows i($ age. The heavy rains after the hurricane have show n up many leaks through these ope n; ngs.

highest he luid seen a storm tide here, I would say that ir would be: about 2 -2-1/2 feet over youl mangrove flat.

o...\ering had his own thoughts and made a note that storm tides might (C'dch 10 fet:t and he had the first fl oor of his winter home setup 12 fectaoove mean high ude .

In 1926aOOut8feetciwarerpoured into Vizcaya's basement, drowing the Billiard Room, Bowling Alley and Smoking Room, damaging the pass-­enger deV<ltor and the air pumps for the orga n, but not reaching the first fl oor rooms. After that hurricane only the most n«:essary cleanup and repairs were done. It was not until Paul

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number of times when a hurricane threatens. The entire prcpal"dtion tikes from 12 to 14 hours to complete and every stiff member has pre-assigned taSks which follow a logical sequence and are written in a manual.

teel or aluminum panclscover the loggias and many windows; made-to­fit plywood panels cover all other windows. Room interiors are prepared by removing curtains and draperies. moving furnirure away from windows. tollc:ing up rugs and stOring aT[ objects. Some heavy furnirure must be set up on wood blocks In case water covers the floor. Two or three people remain inside the house during the storm to

damaging the wall areas around them. Although the wooden extenor Vene· tian blinds had been drawn up Ollt of the way, many were tom from their fastenings and destroyed.

The most obviOUS effects of Hurricane Andrew can be seen in the gardens and grounds. Hundreds of trees fell , and salt water killed trees. shrubs and garden plantings. Antique stolrues, urns, marble columns and balustrades fell or were damaged by debrisi the lattice-work rod of the Tea House blew offi wrought irongatesancl railings were dismanded or crumpled by fal ling trecs or stone columns: the baSinS of the

Conlinwt'd on Pu.ge 7

PRESERVATION TODAY

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BATTLING THE STORM coru inwed

17th cc:ntury Sutri founrain wert da maged; walls along (he bayfront collap~ and thert is destruction [0

the Yacht landing. The Stoll(: Ba~. always vulnerable

[0 storm damage. was hard hit by Andrew. Obelisks were broken off, a Statue downed. and large sections eX ckcora uve stone balusmding are now on the bon om of the bay.

The list of damages 15 a lengthy one, and it will rake time and money to repa ir what Hurrica ne Andrew caused. Professional assessments and Inspections must be made and then qualified conserva tOrs, a rtisa ns ::..nd technicians must be found. The original damage estimate olSJ million has now risen to $4 million .

As 500n as Museum staff wert able to return after the Storm the process of as.ses.sing the condition of the House and grounds and documenting damages began under d ifficult workmg concH. dons. T fttS and debflS blocked roads and paths throughout the estate . Because of the damage in the flooded Basement are3S, dectrical power was minimal and air conditioning non· existent. We were very concerned abour the possibl e effecu on the mterlors and the Collection.

High [cmpcrarures and high levels of relati ve hunlldlty ca n Initiate chemical ractions that may Icad to dete riora tion. cause physical changes. promote corrosion and permit mold to grow. To offset the deleterious cffeC[s of the high humidity in the House interiors, four portable OIlt conditioning uruts were placed outside the front door with the airway rubes brought into the HOI..I5e to the Courtyard and directed upward. De:humidifiers were placed in the reference library and papcr archlvcs rooms. We hope our efforts will have mlfilmircd adverse effecu on the Collection but only time will tell.

While the Curators and Conservator were supervising the documentation . collection and storage of many broken an obJccu located OUtside the House. and aSSC5Si ng the conditions o( the Intcrior decorated rooms. other staff were beginnIng to clear the tremendous amount of debris blocking roads and paths through the estate. Still Others werc remov ing machinery. tools. equipmcnt 0100 maintenance ma rerials ruined in the Basemen(. Covered with

Confi .... .,d on p..,., 8

PRESERVATION TODAY

Traditional Values In a Changing World

/O~ / ASSOClA TES, "'~

REALTORS -' -Committed to Excellence in

Integrity • Professionalism • Service

J POOLE ASSOCIATES, INC. East Kendall/Falls 13605 S. Dixle Hwy.

(305) 253-2940

South Miami/Coral Gabl .. 5800 S.w. 73rd Street

(305) 669-8118

, . '" ..

The winds and salt u.'(fteT wreaked hawc with. the statuary and landscaping ill the GQTd.t!ns. (V'~a Mw.5£Mm

and Gar<kns)

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BATTLING THE STORM: cO'Iuinwcd

mud and slime, this debris had to be washed. identifled, sorted and aMeMed for possible salvage. Much had to be discarded. Administrative personnel began to deal with collecting infor~ mation and documentation and completing seemingly endless forms for the Fedc,..1 Emergency Management AdmlOlstr.ltion and other agencies.

A tafl,.~t date in l .. te October waJ

S1et foe the Museum'sofficial re-opening. Early that month the M~um staff beg,m to clean and re-allClnge the interior deco,..red rooms. Some of the aclminlS[r(ltiveoffice personnel pitc.hed

convention VISit [0 Miami. and M~um Dirtttor. Richard Farwell, decided that we should indeed carry OUt this event. 1nat evening Vizcaya's Volunteer Guides took Trust members through the f'irn floor rooms where everything was clean and back in place. A display d before-and-after photo­graphs portrayed the effects of Hurricane Andrew on Vl%caya.

By Oc~r 26th, [WO months after Andrew. Vizcaya was ag,lIn open ro the public. By mid-Dea:mber the Cafe and Gift Shop were again operating-­although on a limited basis. Behind the 5Ct;nes. the work of repair and replacement of dec.crica! and air c.onditioning parts and machinery

Some original French doors and c:ucment windows of wood should be replaced; roof repairs and tile replace­ments must be made. Stronger and more effective hUrricane protection mwt be fabricated for doors, windows and loggia openings. Priorities must be set [0 ac.complish specific tasks before d-e next hUrTicanc scason;othcr repairs and restorations will need more time. A srudy must be made to in some way mmlmize the dangcr offlooding In the Basement areas. Sources of fundmg are being searched for all of these many nc<ds.

The Director and professlonalstaf( of the M~um mtend to take enough time to make the best informed

Vittaya's Gardens bask in ,he: sun be/orl! Hurricanl! A"drNl.

in to ' help -- washing windows in the Second Floor and Tower rooms. Becau5C there was so much to do, the Volunteer Guides offered to help, and a group spent several days re-hangmg curtains, cleaning and polishing in the upstairs rooms. A ll of the iron visl[oc barriers throughout the House had rusred with the high humidity Indoors and maintenance: pcrlOnncl had to c1c-,,," and re-paint every one.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation had planned an evemng reception at V;Icaya as part of their

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continues, as does the clean-up of [he grounds.

Curatoria l and Administrdtive s[3ff are srudying plans to rt:plac.e ruined garden plantings in the Maze. Theatre Garden and other areas. Surveys and studies are belOg made for the restora­oon of the tone Ba~, Tea House. garden statuary. ums, columns, iron gates and railings, and the many other decorative elements.

Consider.nion must be given also to necessary repairs and replacements of architcctural elements of the House.

decisions about repairs and restorations. and many projecu will not be com­pleted for three or four years.

The Hou~ and gardens are an esoblishcd attrac tion. an honor [0

Miami. a valuable possession, featured in the international press and rttog­m:cd m the mUM!um world. We want to be able to ensure that Vizcaya will survive be-dutifully into the furure .

• •• Dom B. U ulefil!W is ,h£ Chief

M tUeum Curator at Vitcaya

PRESERVATION TODAY

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by Betsy T ilghman

[WJ HO WOULD HAVE

W thought [here would be a hurricane! Things were in place for a IOrhAnnivers31')'

year of [>.Ide Herirnge Days that would almost run irself thanks to former chairman Gay Bondurant's hard work and a marvelous group of community leaders and preservation minded groups Clnd boards who love DADE HERITAGE DAYS and [he spiriT of unity it fosters. But then there was Andrew . ..

By September my Job as chairman had begun in earnest, and Hurricane Andrew had South Dade at its knees. For the foreseeable furure. No Gold Coast Railwdd Museum, no Harven House at Anderson's Comcr, no Cauley Square nor possIble bike ride through

(he Redhll1ru, no Deering Est:.ltc, no Florida Pioneer Museum. no Fruit and Spice Park nor Barnacle. There would be no Lighthouse kick·off event at the decimated Bill Baggs Sta te Park.

My first impulse was to scale back the duration of the festival. but some particip:mts had already SCf the ir dates for the week. I considered eli mimning. I had little choice but to k.eep the schedule and fl ll ll with events as beSt I could while searching for a wider scope of participants.

Today. as I am wri ting thiS article. 1 a m also perusing rhe DADE HERITAGE DA VS brochure one lasl time before sending it to the printer. DADE HERITAGE DAYS will be a six week fcstival crowded with 57 f~ntastic events ... more than last

MURRAY PRESS Prill/ing & Publishing

YC'dT. AmllZing! Some w(."ck.ends your problem will be deciding which events you will have to forego.

The event you certainly won't want [0 miss, however, is "The Re-Greening of Cauley Square," our April3rc1 kick.­off. Reserve 3 native planl and bring your shovel for an o ld .fashi oned communi[y effort. C hildren will share in the fun, planting bulbs and .. bird and butterfly garden! Through dctcrmination, Cau ley Square is coming back . Let's show our historic property ownen in South Dade that their vision and struggle for a future to the past is ours too.

I • • 8el5)l Tilghman i$ a board membeT of Dade Heritage Trw! and chainnall of Dade Heritage Days.

SeU-funrung publications for non-profit organizations is our

specially

,t.P- -.l..l.. ¢= ~ ~ Quality ~ ~ since ~ ~I 1957 I~

Phone: (305) 751-6565 ~se#

PRI1SERVATION TODAY

Fax: (305) 751-0408

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I DADE HERITAGE DAYS ACTIVITIES I

DADE HERITAGE DAYS APRIL 3 -- MAY 9, 1993

DISCOVER THE RICH HISTORICAL PAST OF THE MOST FASCINATING CITY IN AMERICA TODAY. .. MIAMJ.

From the popular to the unique, we offer an array of events to delight and inform natives, newcomers and visitors alike.

DADE HERITAGE DAYS, sponsored by DADE HERITAGE TRUST, celebrates its 10th anniversary this year with over 50 events countywide showcaSing our historical, cultural, architectural, and environmental heritage. It is 3 time to explore the abundant and diverse hlscory of the people and places of this once tropical frontier. Through community involvement and interest, our "festival" has evolved imo a one.-of~a#kind six-week long celebration!

Sorely missed this year will be our South Dade sites and friends. Many will struggle back [Q life through loans, insurance and the kindnesses of others. Many will become hiscory. Some have already met that fate. DADE HERITAGE TRUST is leading in efforts to identify and meet the needs of these devastated historic properties. We hope you will join uS in Our DADE HERITAGE DA YS post-Andrew initiatives. Our kick.off, the "Regrcening of Cauley Square," offers the chance to bring back beauty and hope to a once thriving collection of historic structures. Meet us down at Cauley Square wirn your shovel and plam, and begin you IIdig" imo our past and Our future.

1993 DADE HERITAGE DAYS SCHEDULE

SAlURDAY, APRIL 3 THE REGREEN1NG OF CAULEY SQUARE 10-3PM; CaliDADEHERITAGETRUsr al 358,9572 10 purch:ue and raenoe your plant. Some planrs will al50 be available at Cauley~. Ernph:uis b on native species. We will h.ve5mloU pbn15and bllbsfor ehllWm to plant. o,ildrcn. Will create a bunerfly and bird garden Involve yow organization and donate a nee_ Tour 01 historic grounds and building. by owner Mary Ann Ballard. Refre$hmenbi, food available. 1hanb and gratiwde to our landscape arc::huect, Susan Hall of Susan Hall and Aqociala, Hugh Forthman of Native Tree Nuncry, Joycc Gann of Gann'. Tropical G~cnery & Native" and Leigh Livesay of Bc:rt Ne","comb T rec & Laodscapmg Service. I~

EAST L1ITLE HAVANA WALKING TOUR lOAM: Or. Paul Geoq:e, the Historical MlJ5e:um. Mcet at the Malaga Restaurant, 710 SW 8th Sr., MHIomi. Complimentary ,efrc~hm~nu provided by Malaga Restaurant. Museum and DlIT mcmbers StO, non-members $13.

VllCA YA HOUSE AND GARDEN TOUR

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100ll :30AM: Special Dade Heritage DaY' tour of villa and garckN with focUli on the Otering Era. Tour included with admission ofSBforadultli aod~ forchildrcn. ResclVa' tionlL reqillred: 579· 2708, eXI. 249.

CORAL GABLES HOUSE DISPLAY OF LINENS AND CLOTHING OF THE MERRICK FAMILY lOAM; l.ecturebyFranHutchinpThorpc, irvtructor 01 textiles at the: Internalional Hot Arts CoUeee. liousc: tour. Coffee and pastria &ervcd. $5.

SUNDAY, APRIL-4 MIAMI RIVER BOAT TOUR IO-IPM: Or. Paul George, the Historical Mu.cum. Advanc~ relcrvationl and payment ftquired two wecD prior. M Ulieum and Dl-IT memlxn$20, non·mcmben$25. Call 375·1615.

ART DECO DISTRICT BICYCLE TOUR 10030AM·I2:)OPM: LeISurely lour of the largenand ma;t cohcsh'e concentration of An Deco bulldin", in dlC world. Miami Design Pre5l:'rvation League. Otpms from 71l 5th St. $5. plus $5 bike rental. Every Sunday. RucfVatlons recommendcd: 672--2014.

SEA GRASS ADVENTURE AT THE MARJORY STONEMAN OOUGLAS BISCAYNE NATURE CENTER 1-3PM Explore thuhallowW3rcrseagr.w at the north end otCrandon PlIJ"k. Calch a sea hone, puffer fISh. uarmall or plptfL.sh .. • $tOOy and return them (0 [heir habitat. Wear old sneakcrs, (.hoe. will get wet), bring change of clodltS, SI.lIucreen and hat. $5. RSVP 649,3698.

CORAL GABLES TROPICAL TREE TOUR 2·3:]oPM: Trolley tour of hittoric trees planted inthecarly 1920', byCoraIGablel' founder, Geort:e Meniel., and his I~pt architect, Frank Bunon. Mect III Coral Gablcli City Hall, 105 Blltmorc Way. $8. Reservadoru required by April I. Call 661·2481.

lUESDAY, APRIL 6, THURSDAY, APRIL 8

VIDEO REWIND: DADE'S MOVING IMAGE HERITAGE 12:3OPM: Glimpse South Aorida', histofy as caprured by rare mm and video from the: Wolfson Center's archives. Travelogues:. documentaries, news, entertainment and

(conrn-d 01"1 P,.. I J)

PRESERVATION TODAY

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I DADE HERITAGE DAYS ACTIVITIES I CONTINUED FROM PAQE 10

pubbc afrall''' broadcasu .. even home movies featured. Main library, 101 W. Flagler St. FREE! AIIO sec: "Ongoing Evcnu."lnformadon: 375·1505.

SA1URDAY, APRIL 10 WOOOL\WN PARK CEMETERY WALKING TOUR lOAM: Dr. Paul Gcorge, the lliUOfical Museum. Meet at the: cnmnce to the cemetery, 3260 SW 8th St., Miami. Complimentary rcfTeshmcnu provided by Woodlawn Park Co::mclcry. Mu~c:um and DBT members $10. non-members $13.

POST HURRICANE LECTURE AND SAIL TO CAPE FLORIDA LIGHTHOUSE Noon-1PM: Board HERITA GE O F MIAMI II with UM Prof. Ari Mill. (or an informallYc and (un day on d\C: ... ncr. Sajls fi-om Bayside Dock. Adulo 520, children SIO. ReservatiON: +U-9697.

SUNDAY, APRIL II (Ea.ler)

TROLLEY TOUR OF HISTORIC CORAL GABLES l:JO.J:JOPM OadeileriQgl: T lUSt invitaoyou to come along on an open·alT ride through '1bt Ciry Beautiful." Sec the rt:ality of founder Georg.: MCrTklt ', vl$ion. Men behind Coral Gablc. C ity Hall, -405 Biltmore: Way. Enter patltinc IOf from Coral Way. DHT membe1'5 $10, non·membe" $12. Limilcd space. Prepaid reservations requltcd. Call 35S-9572.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14 LUNCH WITH "HISTORIANS OF KEY BISCA YNE" 12·2PM: JOin aomc rasclrullltnC "old time:" Key BlBClIyne reskkntus they rcTnl:rnbr:r Kef B.a.yncbd'on: meQUleWllY_ Box ktnchundcr the chick at me Maqory Stoneman Doug~ Bucayne N:uure Ce nler. $5. RSVP 649·;698.

SA11JRDAY, APRIL 11 BUENA VISTA/DESIGN DISTRICT WALKING TOUR lOAM: Dr. Paul George, the Ilbtorial Museum. Meet at the NW comer of 2nd Ave. &'NE39St., Miami,Compllmrntary rcfrCihmrna provided by Bltarn- Bat.aat. Museum and DHT members SIO, non· membcrs S 13.

FAIRCHILD TROPICAL GARDEN TOUR AND PICNIC

PRESERVATION TODAY

I(}.JOAM : The plan ixlr.ln wuh a man, William Lyman PhllliJ». o.scovcr the KCleU or lhe OflgtnallandKapl: ooign for thl$ 83·acre gardenparndi5e. Walking tom. picnic and complimentary copy or "The Dream Lives On, a hinory of F..mchlld Tropical Garden." 10901 O ld Cutler Rd. Garden and DIIT members SIS, non· members S20. RSVP al 667·1651 by April 12.

THE VILLAGERS HISTORIC HUNT -4PM: EnJOY a rollicle.lngs-earch for hisrorlc landmarb Itsine bamlne dues in poetic rornl. Stan lind end ill Douglas Entrance Plata, 800 Dotlgllu Rd., Coffil Gables. 7PM BBQ followed by awards and square dancing 'rilll.S15 per person. Reso:rv.;uions limited. Mail checle. to: mE VILLAGERS, 8200 SW 83 51., Miami, FL 33143. Call 235-S68J.

BA YSIDE HISTORIC DISTRICT HOME TOUR 5;JO.8:30PM: VilitMi;am!'sncwachiltoric: dl5trict, (eaturlng a sUlklne collection of Medllell"ll.Ol:an, An 0.,;0 and Vernacular homes. Lighl fOod, ckacrtanddttnluserved. S15. Ro:M:rvatlom limited. Call: 757·812-4.

SUNDAY, APRIL 18 1920'S PICNIC IN THE PARK 11 ·3PM: Bnngyoor lunch~ctorwyahot dog. Cokl drinb avaibblc. Music by South Miami H~ School'. Concert Band. ~ma for children. Pbna and I\owerl (Ofgk. Enler the "Best CombRad ContC5C" and "'-tna pt'Ue. Dress the pan and enJOY an old·tlme: SunWy anemoon. Fuchs Park. SW BOth St. at US I.

11JESDA y, APRIL 20 CHAPMAN HOUSE OPENING AND RIBBON CUITlNG 11 -3 PM: OfflcialopcningoftheChapman HQU5C Elhnic: Heri~ Childrrn's Folldlfc education Center. House tours followtng cercmony. I200NW6thAvc.FREE! RSVP: 636-2390, the Black AKhlvcs Foundation..

TlIURSDAY, APRIL 22 CORAL GABLES CANDLELIGHT HOMES TOUR 6:30·9PM: Jo in your h()5u. the C uy's Hbtorlc Preservation DIVISion, (ora trolley four of IClectcd hIStoric: homes in Coral Gabla. A receprion will follow at lhe. Venelian Pool. Of IT members SIS, non· member. S20. Reservations and prr· payment are required : -460·5216 Of 460-5217.

SATURDAY, APRIL 24 ARCH CREEK SPRING PLANT AND BOOK SALE 9·3PM: Arch Creele. Tr\l51 and the Norlh Miami Women', Club prl:$Cni Ihb flln · filled and informative event. Demon· strations Include orchid repotung and buuerfly prdcning.. lIi55 NE 1l5th St.

THE VILLAGERS "HISTORIC COCONUT GROVE" WALKING TOUR 10-12Noon: Di~er the unkjue hiJlOfy of Miami 's Coconut Grovr! Mrel al Coconut Grove Libnuy. S5. Information: 665·5896.

MIAMI SHORES HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOOD WALKING TOUR 1001lNoon: Tour narrated by Of. Paul George. Meet at Sbora Performing Am Thc:ane, 9806 NE 2 Ave. Refmhmenu. SIO. 0.11 751·3612.

HISTORIC FARMLANDS TOUR IO-IPM: Toot the Rcdlandll and vlfil II tropical frull farm. Learn abolJllhc unique history and uncertain n";ure of ranning in DadcCo..mry. 8m: tour begiN at theSunstt Menor-III Station. SIO. For mformalion and ~rvatlom: 325·0015.

ANNUAL MORNINGSIDE HISTORIC HOME TOUR 1·5 PM : Self guided tour of tix historic homes. Ride on the trolley or walle. al YOllr leill'urc. SIO. Tickets wid al comer of NE 6th Ave. aoJ NE 57 St.

JAZZ IN THE AFfERNOON )·5PM: FcaturingltvcJ;U:;:from local lIn"Ui, walldne rourt to the Lyric Thcanr .nd lhe lIiuoric Ovutown Folklifc Village, convefJiltioru with pioneers. Exhlbll~ of the o.car Thorn .... and C lyde KilleN Collection. Miami Arrn.1 VIP Room, 721 NW I It A ve. Presented by the Black Archives FounWtion. FREEl Ca116J6..2390 10 RSVP.

SUNSET BEACH WALK/EARTH DAY CELEBRA TlON 3·6PM: Anerananmowundcrthtchclcc by "old IImr" Key BIKayne rOldcn[J,lom the Marj(lf}' Stoneman Dougla& Biscayne Nalllle Center's na.tural~t for a tWO mile walk along the beach in the Brar Cur fJCICrve, Key Biscayne. Two hour ~",Ik bcf:lN at -4PM. Learn about South AoruJ;. nor" aoJ (allflil <b YOU explore lhe beach

(c,,"rimocd on P",,, '2)

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I DADE HERITAGE DAYS ACTIVITIES I

CONTINUED FROM PAGE J I

and dunes. $5. Cuh SBQ to follow. Comfortable clOthes, insect n:pdknt. RSVP 649·3698.

SUNDAY. APRIL ZS DELUXE ART DECO TOUR IIAM; Meet Dr. Paul George iH the bustling Intern:ctionofOccan Dr. and 10th &. for a mur of the nunning nrtamllne modcme hotels on Ocean Dr. from 8th to Oth&:. and a lengthy romp along ColliN andWashingron Ava. DlIT mcmbcrs$lO, non·membc:n S13.

EARTH DAY GARDEN TOUR AT THE CORAL GABLES MERRICK HOUSE 1 PM: Sec how pioncct5 adapted their homes and gardens to the South Aorida cnvlrorunent and how these design features and organic gardening method. are appropriate today. Compostl"g demonltrations ~5Cven ways), baby uce: giveaway. 907 COral Way. FREE! Interior house tour 31 )PM, $2. Lemonade on du: veranda.

HARPS IN THE PARK 2PM: Enjoy a melodious coocc:n in the lovely sening of hiStoric Ar<:h Creek Park, honcd by the PltSt Church of North Miami Congregational. Rc:freshments served. FREE. with donations gladly acccpted. NE 135th St. at Biscayne Blvd.

S1llTSVl l lEiKEY BISCAYNE BOAT TOUR 5·8PM: Dr. Paul Geor~, thc Historical Museum . Advance reservation5 and paymentrequircd twO wecbprlor. MlIKum and DHT mem\xn S20, non-mem\xn S25. Call 375-1625.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28 HlSTORY THROUGH POSTCARDS AT ~RYAN MEMORIAL CHURCH 7-8.:30PM:Join UM Architecture Prof. Ari Mill;u for hi5 series on tM arcimectural histOT'/ of old Miami and Coconut Grove through antique poItcards. Included is a church conducted tour of thll 1925 BVUlntinc-inlluenced nructurc bulh ali a memorial to WilliamJenninpBryan. 3713 Main Hwy. $5. Re5ervadoru: 356-9572.

MiAMI DESIGN PRESERVATION LEAGUE ANN UAL MEETING For informadon call 672·2014.

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"THURSDAY, APRIL 29 FOURTH ANNUAL INTERNA TlONAL CULTURAL TOURISM CONFERENCE Dade Herit-a~ Tnat. Fot Information: 358.-9572.

SAlURDAY. MAY 1 HISTORIC "[x)c" THOMAS HOUSE TOURS 1I·2PM: Toun of house and grournU. FREE! Salc of South Aorida MUve treCi o ngoing from 9·5PM. Sunday tOO, PrCicnted by thc Tropical Audubon Sociery and 1beJunlor uague ofMiamL, Inc. 5530&lIue( Or., So. Miami.

MIAMI SPRINGS HISTORIC SITES BUS TOUR 9·IP~t Mcct bus at Miami Spring5 Recreation Center Jmrking lot, 1401 We51ward Or. $5. limited seaun,. For rescrvatlon5 call 888·4849 (day) or 885-8077 (night).

GLENN CURTISS WEEK AT THE MI AMI SPRINGS HISTORICAL MUSEUM 10· 12Noon&'I·3PM: Sbowoothe life of aviation pionecr Curtiss and City hIStory. 45 Curtiss Pkwy .. Clunc·Stadnlx Bldg.

DOWNTOWN W A.LKlNG TOUR AND THE GUSMAN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS 3:30PM: Discovcr the historic buildings tucked bencath the sky1.crapcn with UM Prof. Arl MiII31. End with a tour of tbe fabulous theatre at the Gusman Centcr, originally the Olympia. Refrahmentl. DHT members $10, non·members $13_ Racrvlltioru: 358·9572.

DERBY DAY PARTY 4PM: Makc your rCICrvatioru now for Dade Heri~ T rust'. annual Derby Day party hosted at an e1cgant privatc homc. Mint juleps, party foods and beverages. $35. Proceeds [0 benefit Dade Heritage Trust. RCKrvationa: 358·9572.

SUNDAY. MAY 1 WORKSHOPS WITH LEONARD PAROON. "MASTIR Of fAUX" IO:JO.I2:30PM AND 2:30·4:30PM: At his Miami Beach .rudio. this englIsh mancr will givc a demonnration plus hands·on worbhop in the tcchniquc. of marbling, wood eraining and other specia liu decorative cffcctli. $50 pcr 5e55ion, places limited. For Information and rcac:rvation

call 511·3289.

ART BRUNCH AT THE MIAMI RIVER INN II·lPM: Paintings and wa[crcolors of historic sires. 118 SW So. Rivcr Or. $20. Re5ervatiOl1$ reqUired: 325-00-45.

MIAMI BEACH MUSEUM DISTRICT W A.LKlNG TOUR 11 ·2PM : Meet at the Bow; Museum to tour cllLS reccndydclignatcd area cncompasliing somc of An Deco's fineH examples. including the recent Plymouth Hotel restoration. Presented by Miami Iksign Preservation League. MDPL and OHT mcmben $6, non-mcmbcn $10. Rcscrvarioru: 672·2014.

HISTORIC "DOC" THOMAS HOUSE TOURS li ·2PM: See Saturday. May 1 entry.

MIAMI SPRINGS MEMORIAL DAY I PM: Dedication of plaquc in honor of pionccr and formcr Mayor, Billy Wilcox. C urtiss Pkway. Rcccption honoring Miami Springs pioneen at hiJtoric Fair Havens Retirement Home, 201 CurtWL Pkwy. $5_ CaII885·4397 or 888.-4849 for information.

"THE ROADS" &. SIMPSON PARK, YESTIRDA Y AND TODA Y IPM: Thc history of Mary Brickcll and thc unique neighborhood she created. Refreahmenu. Park tour and slLde fihow on thc reeent changc5 In this area', last . urvlving nativc hammock cnvironment bynaturalist Ralph Beaudry. Simpson Park, 55!N1 17 Rd. FREE!

TOUR Of HISTORIC HOUSES OF WORSHIP 1·3PM: Faith in me City. Muld·faith trollcy tour ofhLStoric houses of wonhip in downtown Miami. Tour begiru at 1 PM sharp with the Rcv. Dennis Tart at the Flnt Presbytcrian Cllurch of Miami. 609 Brickel l Ave. Frec parking in rear. R~freshmcnt5ICrved . $10. RSVP by Wed., April 28. Call 371-3439.

OPA~LOCKA TROLLEY TOUR 2-~PM: Visit Glen Cuniss' boom town of domcd placea and minaret topped homes. Hi5toflc ,itea tour of thk Arabian famasy begiN at the library, where an ongoing his[otyvidcoofOpa·locka will be presented and n:freshment5 ICrved. 215 Pervb Ave .. Cpa.locka. FREE! For information: 953· 2850.

(~imo.!d on Pop Il)

PRfSERVATlON TODAY

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

LIGHTHOUSE OA Y ON KEY B1SCAYNE Z·6PM: Bill Ba~Sta(e Park IS dOlied, but. DADE HERITAGE TRUsrs LLghthOlIk Committee IS planning a party to benefit the Lighthouse. Emcrtainmem by The Chowder Chonlpt'f'l, K .. y SiKHyn\, MUVC an show. feStival fooc:k and of I;OUr5I; 11'\1: 5tormingof the Lighthomc:. withorwirnoul one! Ca LI 365·0517 or )58.9572 for information and IOQtion.

CORAL GABLES HOUSE DINNER 5·gPM: Dr. Paul GcOfl,"C. the I h5lotical MU~lIm. A special dinner hosted by Dr. George at the childhood home of G«Itge MC'rrLclc, founder olCoral Gabl~ (907 Col'll! Way), IllClud~ a short moll t<lking in ~cycr .. 1 hiHork landmarks. Advance rcnrvatlons and P'!ymcnt required tWO

weeks prior. Musc:ulII and DHT mcmbcn $35, othcn $40. Call 375. 1625.

MONDAY, MAY J through SA11JRDAY, MAY 8

GLENN CURTISS WEEK AT THE MIAMI SPRINGS HISTORICAl MUSEUM to..l2Noon& ,· .. PM weekdays. IO· 12Noon &. I·)PM Sat Life of aviation pioneel Curt iss and histOry of C ity.

ART EXHIBIT AT MIAMI SPRINGS CITY HALL May 3. 6;30·8;30PM; Art Reception to meet pwtrtidpaling anisu. FREE! Moo·Fri. 8;30AM to 4:45PM. Lobby exhibition all month deplcdng hlSU)fic lites of City.

FRIDAY. MA Y 7 2ND ANNUAL GLEN CURTISS GOLF TOURNAMENT IPM; City of Miami GolfCour5(:, Cuniu Pkwy., Miami Springs. $50. Buffet Included. Call Bob Melyk 3r 633·2571 for information.

SATURDAY. MAY 8 ORAL HISTORY WORKSHOP 9· I 2Noon; TQgcllhe IIIOU from your oral history interVieW!! and opportunities. jom Mareia Kanner with the historical Mu~um, educator and hiStorian Enid C. johnson. and Ruthjacom with Dade Heritage Trust in uds workshop (ocusingon oral rradlrjons. Rdreshmenu Krved. DHT membcn $S, non·members $10. Call the TTUst at 358· 9572 (0 ruerve.

PRFSERVATION TODAY

KAMPONG TOUR 9;30AM: Tour this 7 acre botanical garden of rare and Imusual variriel of uees and om.1mental plants. Former home of Or. David Fairchild.SIO. Rcsc .... ·afJOIlS limited 10 35. Call 445·8076 Of 442·7169 to reserve.

TIlE BRICKELL A VENUEAREA TOUR IIAM; Join Dr. PauIGea-gt! fa-a marveiow; walking/driving [{Jur ~t:iTling al Briekd! park. SE 5th St. and Brickell Ave. 5p«131 SIOf'lI' include hisloric. decadent TQOO4.:cO Road (where complimentary beveragct wm be sc: .... ·ed) and the splendid Brickell home ofl lenrlelte Ila"", for bc:Vtrngta; and good times on h<:r lawn. DHT members S 10, nOIl'member) SJ3.

ARCH1TECTURAL SAIL ON HERITAGE OF MIAMI 11 Noon-4PM; &iii and leam the hillorlcand conlemporat)'devclopmc.nt olMiami with UM Archlleclun: Prof. Ati Millas. Souls from &r.>ide Dock. Adult!. $20, children $10. Re54: .... ·auom: 442·9697.

SUNDAY,MAY9 A FAMILY OA Y AT mE RACES 10030AM: Tour, 11 :30: Lunch.. Cclebrnle Mother's o..y al hi~toric ! Jj"Ic:ah Park, probably the worlJ '~ mOlt beautiful ritee COlln;c. PrivliterOlltof the gruurxb, a speCial Mother'sOay lunch and racmgat I PM. $25 adults, SI5 chlldn;n. Indudef admi5.Sion. lunc:h, program and lour. Reservatiom Ilmired. 0.11 DADE IIERIT AGE TRUST; 385·9572.

ONGOING AND UPCOMiNG EVENTS

VIDEO REWIND: DADE'S MOVING IMAGE HERITAGE Tuesdays <lnd Thllnd"y~ (except Apr. 13 & I';) al 12:3OPM: So. Fla. h l.'ilOry as captured by rare film and VideO from rhe Wolfson Cenlcr', arehiva. Main Lihrary, 101 W. Aagler St.

ART DECO DISTRICT BICYCLE TOUR 10:30-12:30 Every Sumby; See Apri14rh enlry.

HISTORIC PRESERVA nON WORKSHOP Saturday, May 15th; Everything you e\'e t wanted 10 know about prC$l:rvation law aocl design (or hinorlc bUlldml,:s. Experu H. Ward Jandl and Srcphen Dennis .... 111 lead discu»iom. Prcsc:nll:d by the Clry of Cora l Gab lCl HistoriC Preservation

D1\·i~lon. For RSVP call 460·5216 Of

460·5217.

DADE HERITAGE TRUST ANNUAL DINNER 111111"$., MllY 27, 6:30: Ikcome a memf..er and JOIn lit' al rhe Rod & Reel Club! Informal"ion and RSVP; 358·9572.

. .. .. .. . Embracing all of Dade CounlY, DADE IIERITAOE TI{usr i~ (tut communir:y'5 most comprchcmlVe hlSioric preservation league. Founded m 1972. we arc lhe lar~$1 nor.for.prof" volunr ee r organn:Hlnn Involved In co untywide projects and pre5eTv:llion education. DADE HERITAGE DAYS <lnJ the CAI'E FLORIDA LlGi In lOUSE PROJECT are [\10'0 of OLir ongomg e«ons. Throughollf the YQI we offer entertaining and en· lighlenUl{.: membership cvenlJi , be: lhey pa"il:l, !Oun; or IC(;[ IITI:I. Memben; "Iso receIVe oewsic[(ets and our magulne. "Prelicf"\'itl ion Today." Our he~.dq .... nen arc in Ihe 1905 Offiee <lnd Surgery BUlJdlngofDr.j:"TlCS M.jaclson, Miilmj', first doctor and founder of wha! I~ now

jack.son Memonallla.plI"l. We wclc(ltne your memlx:nhlP :Ind your comnllrmem (Q helping prcsc:n'e our pasl (or [he future. join us!

CALL

DADE

HERITAGE

TRUST

FOR

MORE

INFORMATION

358-9572

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LESSONS FROM SOUTH DADE

W F HURRICANE ANDREW accomplished anything posi. I rive, it was to make us take a long. hard loole at ourselves.

In the development feeding frenzy ci the J 980s, a dea.f ear was turned to debate on [~ qualiry c:I conmuc.don and urbancbign. Si~ the hurricane. issues ri old construction ve~ new, wood (name vcrsw; masonry. and urban plannIng based on communities and people versus planning extrapolated from mnsport3tion corridors, are all hot topics. Taking a look at South

by Margot Ammidown

commercial and government bwldings, such as Cauley Square and the Home­stead Town Hall, Mediu:~rranean estates, limestone cottages, and wood frame romn houses are all there.

About twelve designated historic sauc.rures wert: total losses. mostly in the Redland Historic Oisrrict at S.W. 248m StTttt and 187m A venue, which was panicularly hard hit. ~ Dttring Estace suffcrm severe damage: due pri­marily to the sixteen foot tidal su~ there. Anderson's Corner, another National Register sitt, 31150 5UStaincd

any other older building type. I!vl!n ct':mt':nt block. Wood frame archi· tectu~ haa h«n grntly maligned, but contrary to popular post·hurricanc theory, wood (ramI! construction is not inhe~ndy bad. All anyone has rodo is look at tht': Silvl!r Palm School House on SW 232nd Street (bui lt in 1904) or tht': Palm Lodge on SW 296th S(f«t (ca. 1912). to s« that construCtion technique: and quality we~ the detrr· mining factor!.

Balloon (rame: construCtion, 3 wood framt': construCtion method in which

De,pit~ ,evc~ landscape damage, the Palm Lodge. built in 1912 for &etglade.t; tovrisu:, ,unriwd Andrew weU.

Dade's historic structurCs and early de· velopment patterns can provide interesting insights into 311 these iSSOC$ in the WiJke r:J Hurricane Andrew.

With volunteer assistance from stU·

dents and faculty c:J the University c:J Miami School r:J Archirecrurr, thl! Dade County Historic Preservation Division haaoompll!t«i damage assess.­menu on most o( the hi storically desigrun«i buildings in South Dade. Historic. building typeS in South Dade constihJ[eadive~ catalogue. Masonry

serious d-dmage. Many rn:her historic IIttuctun=S came

through the storm surprisingly wrll, including the Cordi Casde. Rather than providing a list of what surviv«i, it might be more useful to examine why !Orne hiStoriC buildings survived and OdltB did not, and what lessons they Mve to ceach con((':mporary builders.

If you are looking fOf a foolproof building material ·· and haVI! dttp pocker:s •. limestone bloclc consouc· tion wasconsistendy more durable than

horitonol members aff! fas((':ncd dip reedy to the studs, provided solid resiSl"dncc to hurricane winds. Th::: Palm Lodge, a lovely rustic wood frame build· ing buih as a lodgl! for Everglades rourilla, is located in [he Homestead city limia on a strec=[ whe~ almost everything around it was Kducrd to rubblr. in addition to its balloon frame and sturdy diagonal bracing, it boasts a completely unique roof design that we havl! not seen elsewhere: Break·away eaves! Strucrural engineers gencrn lly

PRESERVATION TODAY

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&fqre Andrew: Tfu.: Silver Palm School on SW 296rh StT('et was bwU! in 1904 uJing a .flurdy balloon frame construction.

A{cer Aloldrew: Tfu.: Silver Palm School's Jtructurel'rocri~dsolid resistance to IJOU'C11ul hurricane winds.

LESSONS ('o"';" .. eJ

agrttd that many roofs were lost in the hurricane when winds gained leverage under extended eaves and lifted off the:: entire roof structure. Yet extended eaves under nannal conditions prolect 3g'dinst the harsh sun and rains of the tropics and are one of the most picas-109 (carurcs ci older homes.

U5Ually. roof ra(tcn utend several (ttl Ix:yond walls [0 (onn eaves. In the P-alm Lodge, the rafccTl of Its hipped roof end at the wall sruds. The bearru that ronn the caves art: SIStered on ro the raften 31 the walls. ~ result, after Hurricane: Andrew. was that the Palm LcxIgc has a few spots where it lookJ like a giant beast took a bite our

of the caves, but the roof remains sc· curdy intact.

The majority ci cksigNted histo ric. sires in south IlIdearc in the Redlands. They arc mostly wood frame farm houses and comm~rdal buildings, l ik~ Anderson's Comer, that are 5C3trerecl throughout the farming community west c:i US 1. In the R«Ilands, the: sr:arely rows c:i old Royal Palms, A\JSo­mlian Pines, fruit groves and Other historic landscape features, as much as th(: arcrutI!C.wn.', gav~ the area Its char. actu. Suburban ~ncroachment was threatening the Rwlands before Hur. ncane Andrew, and If we are to recover [he area, W~ can't just look at it from the myopic point c:i VICW of archltee:.

\\evelffin • •

Wood Windows · Doors · Molding . Decks • Fences

PRESERVATION TODAY

n1m l preservationists. The Redlands was settled when

Henry Flagler extended the FEC mil­road south from Miami to the Kcys. Small communines developed around milroad srops like Goulds, Pn1')l2ton and Naranja. ~ levdy FEC stlrion buildings, like the sCirion which was moved to Aorida City and is now the Florida Pioneer Museum, w~r~ th~ functional town centers c:i these com· mUnida.

To the west gn.:w a sub[r('1:)lcal ag­ricultural community which ~me to be the largest supplier c:i winter veg· cClblcs in the United SClte5, aswdl as the only area in the United St;lta where many rare varieties of exotic frUIts are grown. The bc-dutiful groves and unique tropical character ci the Redlands were starting tedraw rourisD [Q [he area on their own, with little orga nized marketing to a(tract them.

Tourism is Dack CountY's largest economic base, and agriculture lu sec· ond. It $et:ms foolhardy to squander the Redlands ro the homogeneity of more suburban spmwl, when what it has to offer, if properly recovered. IS a rural5tJbrropi~1 beauty uniqu~ in this country, providing greater economic diversity for Dade County.

The John S. and James L Knight Foundation has given generous sup­POrt to the Mctro-Dad(: Historic P~rva(ion Division to undemke a preservation and recovery plan for the Redlands as well as to update the His-­tOTlC Survey for South Dade. There is a lot to learn from the paSt and no time to waste In applying these lessons.

• • • Margot Ammidou,m u DireetOT of

flu: MC ITo·Dade Hlsl QTic Prunva­lio.,. Divuion.

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THE DEERING ESTATE

Before Andrew;

TM 360 .. Acre eJtate of in .. dU5tri«1 magnate Charles D.ering, now......d by tho Stau and """"'B.d by Dod. ~ Parks, """ bun oaIlaI tho """"" j .... l of s...,h Dad.. Th. orfcinal Richmond Inn, built in J896, WIU amnected Co CI new . Ione mom;"" by Durinc in 1922. o-..looI<i,,& Buc/lyn<' Bay, ,he .it. u unequal<d for natuml """""'.

After Andrcw;

Eo,imaId ........ da.nug. 10 ,he hUlOric and natuml ....... of tho Deering Estate excealeJ. $5 million. The pro,..,..." """ ..... been cleared of ckbru. and ...,.,mg ~ and lead paint remowl Loc continum,. TIv finn of FuU ... I<>n/Diat/Ri""ha u ....m.ing with J .. <j>h Hemdon 10 com/>Id< a T<''''~ and re.rtonuion plan for ,he IWIoric bwldinp.

PRESERVATION TODAY

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WE WILL REBUILD ... AND RESTORE by Louise Yarbrough

199) IS WELL UNDERWAY. YET THE shadow of Hurricane Andrew still looms over many in South D.lde County and the furure is still uncen::ain.

Much. roo, has bttn said about the losses to COmmunities such as Country Walk and Saga Bay. The~ newer communities were devasl:~Hcd and the residents displaced. The dama~ to these easily Identifiable communities was relatively easy to assess and the relief effortS were easily focused.

After the initial impact d the storm , Dade Heritage Trust beg',m the recovery process of irs office and Opt:rations. It became quiclcly appartm that much help was n~cd for historic properties In the badly hit areas of South Dade. The needs were (and continue to be) so great, and difficulties presented themselves from a ll points.

We WiU Rebuild , the private suppan orga nization established shortly after the stonn, began almost immediately to address the rebUIlding needs cL the broader community, btu those with histone homc=!:and businessc=s wc=re. in l:argc= p:art. overlooked.

To he:lp focus attention on the m:any and v:arim needs of the ownc=rs of historic propenies. Dack Heritage Trust c=stablished the WE WlU. RESTORE fund. The=: fuoo'simti:al contribution of S 1700 was made by the Mi:ami Design PreK:rv3tion League: through :a fund· raising c=vc=nt held just prior to the opening of the Nation:a l T rust Confc=rencc= in

J oan (JTeen, an owner of c~ Ha~t House Restauranl at Anderson'., Corner, displays a copy of the check. Restoration cosu will require much. more.

PRESERVATION TODAY

DHT President Bett} Metcalf speaks at a press conference to announce II $15,000 National Tnul grant obtained to stabiliu Anderson 's Corner.

October 1992. Throughout the: Conference. don:atioru were :accepted with the incentive of a National T ru5tm:atch of up to S5.CXX). Sufficient funds were raised to meet the m:atch ;md;l no-imcrtsc loan fund was ($tablished, [0 be managed by the: D3dc Heritilge Trust Revolving Fund. Inc .. :a 5eparate 50I(c)J orga niz:ation established in 1984 to handle re:al estate: and other rd:atcd activities.

The=: losses sustained by owners of hinoric properties are nor as widely known and are. in f:au. still bc=ing detenn ined. There were over 60 designated siees or structures in the South D3de, Homestead and Florida City areas which have bc=en surveyed. and the damage to those alone is in the mill ions.

Anderson's Comer, one of Dade County's and the Redlands' most significant landmarks. sustained major strUCUlr .. 1 damage. Cauley Square. a wonderfully spc=c.ial shopping mecca allowing us rostep back in timc=, was virtually destroyed. and no Insurance was in place to help defray the: cost cl rebui lding and re5(onng_ The Redlands Community Church was complc=tcly desrroyed, and all thac remains are the steps where William Jennings Bryan once spoke. The Redlands Fnur and Spicc= Park sustained major cbmage to thc= buildings and the: valuable uees.

Landscaping IQ55Ies throughout the area are substantial, and though sornc= recove=ry ru.s bc=en made. much of what was lost is httplaceable. Other significant histone sites such as Homestead's Pioneer Museum and the Landmark Hotc=1. the: ~ring Estate. Vizcaya. thc= Gold CoaSt Railroad Museum, ~rrot Jungle and Fairchild Gardens were 5evcrely damaged as well . with assessed damage in the mul ti-mi llions.

These we:lI-known sues just begin to paint the picrure: of conrinMed em page 18

17

R88UII..D . •• _

how historic si tes fared. While initial efforts h3ve concentrated on the 60 desigruued Sit'::5, thert are over 400 sites which w.::re listed on the Dade Coumy Historic Sites Survey, half of which QmI lifled for fu rther wignation. It has been quite difficuh to visit each site and assess the damag.::s to historic propenies in th.:: brood geogrnphicarea impacted by the storm.

WE WILL RESTORE wi ll not provi<k adeqU3t.:: funding nttded so destxrnrely by 150 many. Yet it is a tangible resource avai lable which c~m perhaps provide assistance and incentive for proper restoration work to begin. Through other effortS, Dade Heritage Trust has alrtady assiSted historic propenies significantly.

A S15,(XX) gram WclS made to DHT from the National Trust Hurricane Relief Fund to address Immediate stabilization and shoring of Anderson's Comer. Recc::ndy, another $l5,(XX) gram was received from the National Trust to provide teChnical arv;I design assistance for a limited number of historic properties. The Knight Foundation is to be commended for thei r support for hiscoric properties through S175,CXX> grant made to the Metro-Dade County Historic COIlli",c~ on fNlgj! 19

DHT's truveJing

exhibit showcaase.s the neecb 0/ South

Dade.

18

FULL SERVICE BANKING DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL

PERSONALIZED TRUST

1 9 26 1 99 3

Y EA RS EXCE L LE

OF CE

COCONUT GROVE BANK 2701 So. Baysbore Drive, Miami FL33133

PRESERVATION TOOAY

C>

T~ De:Fran Howe in the Redlancb.

flBBUILD •.• _

Preservation Division for gT<lnt~. loons, a comprehensive preservation ptan and completion of a new survey. Dade Heritage Trust is currently workmg to "disc Slgnificanr additional funds and it is hopeful [hat larger community support will soon be: available for broad-scale as.sistaf'ICC (or historic properties.

Since [he establishment o f WE WILL RESTORE. additional events, such as the Book Fau and the Boat Show. have provided an opporrunity to incn..-asc aW'dreness of the WE WILL RESTORE (und as well iU the crucial need fOf" funding to assist in the restor.uion process (o r thest property owners. Special [rumb should be: made to Masud Ollrachy, author of Before and After Humgne Andrew, a photographic documentary of Andrew's wr.lrh. He has generously donated a portion (rom sales c:i the book to the

AJUfersOfl'S Conler, at 15700 S. W. 232nd Street.

PRESERVATION TODAY

Despite saltwater flooding and damage 10 ilS own headquuf'teTs at Dr. Jackson's , Dade Heritage Tnut immediately went to work 10 help othu historic ,"oPerties recOCleT frl}rt\ Hurricane Andf'ew.

WE WILL RESTORE fund. The effortS of Fran Mulcahey and Nancy Liebman. in oveneeing this effOrt. must also be recognized.

As we rebuild this community, we must preserve our past. As we look to the celebration of our IOOth binhday, we must not furthe r desuoy the very essence of our beginnings. T oday's and tomorrow'sgenerations deserve a history and tho6e special places to recall that history. Erasing that h isl.Ory only further erodes the senst of place in our community.

If you would like to contribute to WE WILL RESTORE, to particlp3te in other assist3f'ICe [0 the property owners, o r apply for a no-inrerest loan. contact Dade Herita"IC Trust at 358-9572. ••• Lol.! if~ Yarbrt'tl.!lh i.s execl.! li,,~ dir~cr(l1'" (If Dade HmlaR~ Tl'll..'llr.

19

FAtlCHtlD'S lECOV£lY Fai.,.chiW's RarL Plant Howse Photos eWiU HovghlonJFTG

A FT<R HURRICANE ANDREW'S .l""1.. rampagethrough southern Dade

County the sky was tOO wide, the Stars tOO bright and tht sun tOO hot. The canopies r:i br.UlCh and leaf wen:: gone; all the bromeliads. fems, vines, mosses and other tree life we:n= gone. Not she ltered (rom the ~ve:ru. the landscape looked like hell.

"Mankind may not, af~r all , have begun in a garden. But it is clear that gardens were mankind's first step OUt

of barbarism inco civilization. Out of them has come much c:I everything our civilir.l(ion ca n rightly boast," 'n a 1938 treatise called An Argument fOT FaiTchjld Tropical GarcUn. Marjo ry Stoneman Douglas wrote about the hiStory and importan« of botanic,,1 gardens and what a gre'd{ furure was in nore (or the Fairchild Tropkal Garden. The Garden's d,rector, Dr. William Klein, makes a similar argument in an editorial article in the Miami Herald, February 7. 199) when he writes that a garden aerve.s a deep-seared human need to create '3n ill u.'lion ci order over the forces of nature.

Is it possible that gardens art" so necessary to the well-being of socletyr How else can we explain the incredible support the Garden received after the hurricane? When mo re than 500 voluntttrs ca me to help the Garden, often leaving their own home1li in disrepair; and $250,(XX) was contributed (0 the Fairchild Restoration Fund when there were: so many other needs. Surely this was a restimony to the Garden's pr:rce:ivcd viral role: in the communityr In the process ci the community's post­hurricane lhernpy, the I'C:Storation of Fairchi ld T ropic:al o..rdcn was believed by many to be a prio ri ty.

The garden's comcoock has been astounding. In little more than a month after Hurricane Andrew downed twO­

thirds of the Garden's plant life on August 24, 1992, the majority of trees, palms and shrubs were up and rqrowing in time for the public reopening on October J. When there: were few signs ci progress or nonnalcy elsewhere, the visitor to the Garden could find solace

20

by Nicholas R. Cocluhuu

in the resurgence and reordering ci nature and wimcss the renewal ci one ci the world's m06t beautiful land. .cal'<'.

The restoration of the Garden is procttding apace. Each 5Cason ci 1993 will be highlighted by the completion of a ma jor landscape projec t and ex hibit. In time for the Annual

Members's Meeting Marc h 20, Raymond Jungle.s Inc.. will have com­pleted a landscape bea utifi cation project for the high rraffic areas around the muse um , Ga rden H ouse and Education build ings. The summer will Stt the completion cia projCCt by WRT &. Associates Inc., to reStore and improve the entr.lnce and parking area.

oonrinlled on Me 22

Experts and wlunteers came /rQm far and near ro help saw the Garden's coUecitons •.•

PRESERVATION TODAY

•

'~ PRI:SER.VATlON TODAY 21

And doing hot and taboriow WO'I'k.

FAIRCHILD'S ~tinu'" The fall's landscape event, coinciding with the Members' Day Plant Distribution on October 3~. will be the restoration by Khuly A lvarez & Associates Inc., of the Garden's most famousfonnal fearure, the Bailey Palm G lade. In time for the Garden'sannual "Ramble"planrfestival December~ to 5, the winter's happening wi ll be a preview of a redesigned and expanded Rare Plant House.

Many other plans for the landscape and for new exhibits will be prepared during 1993 as the Fairchild Tropical Garden moves tow-nels the develop­menr'" of its Master Plan and the implementation of its goal to aehieve "the highest possible Standards in the landscape deSign, collections and horticulrural practices."

Put into high gear by Hurricane Andrew, thiS rapid rum of evencs was set in motion twO years ago, on March \, 1991 , with the appointment of Dr. William McKinley Klein,Jr. asdirecror. The new director was given a mandate for change by the Garden's Board of Trustees, at that time presided over by Dr. Hunter Pryor. Klein certainly had

22

the right credentia ls for the job: as director of the Moms Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, he had raised it from a st;ue cI benign neglect into one of the counuy's maS[ flourishing botanical gardens. As a fanner assistant director to Dr. Peter Raven at the Missouri Botanical Garden, Klein was highly recommended by Raven as a "srudcnt of the botanical garden."

In his first year as director, Klein had much to do in restruCruring the administration of the Garden in readiness for what he called "charting a course for Eden. Jean Ellen Shehan, Pryor's successor as president of the Board, provided the advice and SlIPfXlrT that enabled Klei n to rackle the complexities and politiCS of an irutitution long used to moving forward in small incremenrs. Klein read and researched the hi story of the Garden and found that "Eden" was both in the thinking d the founders of the Garden, David Fairchild and Roberr Montgomery, and in the design of the Garden's landscape by Wi ll iam Lyman Phillips.

lbe Garden's landscape had been designed and developed by Wi ll iam Lyman Phi ll ips during the years 1938 to 1954. but it was not unti l 1956. twO

years after his retirement, that Phillips officially documented his intentions in a report to the Board of Trustees called The Fairchild Tropical GaTden: a Memoir. Phillips' report became the basis for the "Phillips's Plan, " which according to Article VI ci the Garden's by-laws, mU!l[ be "strictly adhered to continuously unless changes are deemed advisable by a three-fourths vote of the entire l3o:ilrd of Trustees."

The Board had done: everything they could to safeguard [he landscape; however, over the years unimended changes were made and Phillip's vision was beginning to be forgotren in concept and lost in overgrowth. The parallel with the Morris Arborerum and its neglected Victorian garden bed!.me dear to Klein: the Fairchild Tropical Garden was also a historic landscape, a world-class m:merpiece that needed to be restored to irs full glory.

cotlrinued on fXl8e 23

PRESERVATION TODAY

&fore tht: StOTm:

FAIRCHILD'S RARE PLANT HOUSE

Alter Andrew:

PRI1SERVAll0N TODAY

rontilllled (HI pu,ge Z4

lJ

fAilCHILD'S <On,; ......

The:: m05t obviow example was the virtual disappearance ci the Garden's primary "Overlook" vista which in Phillips words was "me cmr .. ~ to

the cast, an esp lanade . or alley cenninating in a terr.ace thrust over the: lower edge ci the etearpment and overlooking the entire lowland." The restoration ci the Overlook basically involved clearing away bushes and pruning bnmches that wen: blocking easy access to the view. This was not too costly and the restordtion of the Overlook was undcrt'dkcn in the fall of 1991 and completed in time co be celebrated at the Garden's "Ramble" feulval in [he first weekend of December.

James W. McLamore. even before he became president of the Board on March 14. 1992. had already joined with Klein's effortS to ~rrtt[ and renew the Garden's landscape. McLamore. a long-rime garden cn­thusiast, T"di~ the funds and provided the irresistible forcc= that enabled the: restorati on of the Garden to get underway. To make 5Ure all proposals

• • • thf'U months latef'.

24

to improve the land.sc2pe fit into the Phillips' Plan. Mac.L.amorc: and Klein established in the fall of 1991 a Professional Design Committee. The comminee. chaired by noted architect and trustee. Lester Pancoast, consists of key members from the local community architecti. A pivotal member cJ the committtt is Professor Joanna Lombard. who. with the help cJ studena from University of Miami's School cJ Architecrure. has gathered together all the archival maceria! that can be found fa elucimue the vision c:I Phillips and his design for the Garden, Only landscape projects (hat respect Phillips' design and his Intent can pass the scrutiny c:I mis committee.

On April 23, 1992, MacLamore obtained the Board's approval for flve landsca~ projectS: the restorAtion cJ the Bailey Palm O lack; improvement c:I the front enmoce parking arca; further development cJ the Overlook vista; a new landscape for the arena around the Education Building; and improvements in the flowering Ott

section. The plans were fully drawn up and the projects ready to go when HumcaTle Andrew blew into Miami

four months later. Bids from general contractors were due on the day And~ arrived.

It is the Garden'sgreat forrunc rNt 50 much thinking and planning had bttn done before the hurricane. The scaff and everyone else involved with the Garden bad become 50 well versed in Phillips mat even when the Oan:Ien was stripped cJ !O much. the vision remained. No one was at a loss about what to do. There is much excitement at the prospect cJ the rebinh of a magnificent landscape garden and moving forward to tbe fulfillment of the Garden's mission made explicit by the trustees on April 2). 1992 to be the premier tropical bouzrUcal garden in lhe -'d.

Hurricane Andrew has nor been a disaster for the Fairchild Tropical Garden. It has been another season in the Caribbean and justanother cru.prer 10 the nory eX the Gan:le:n.

•••

Nicho1as R. Cockshutt i.s tdit(W and dirtcWr of Fairchild T ropca! GartUn' s p-wblicadoru .

PRESERVATION TODAY

PRESERVING HISTORIC LANDSCAPES by Leonardo Alvarez AlA, ASLA

II I I ISTORIC LANDSCAPE PRESERVATION IS a relarively new fidd. Traditiona lly , h istOricAl landscapes have been dealt with as an adjunct

rostructures or districts, wlfh only a handful preserved prnnarl ly (Of tllelr historic landscape value. ExISting guidelines and critl~· na for prescvation and rescoranon. are thaefort. primarily focused on structura and dlsrrict$. While (hot gUldclme5 pro­vide a framtwork of reference for landscape preservauon. rtKy do noc <kkquatdy address specific issues rc:levant to landscapes.

Growing awareness regarding the significance a land· scapes. their beauty, unique exprc:ssion. historic significance and environmental va lue. IS conmbuting [0 an Incre'dscd

interest!n landscape prcscMltLon. As Roben Melnick, ch •• ir. manofthc Landscape Arc.hltecrure Depart-ment at the Univer-sity of Oregon has Stated: "People are bttoming aware of the value of land. scape in their lives generally. ~y are sta rting to panic about what thcy are losing, what they know they can't get back."

Recent work com· pleted by landscape archuccu LIl3 Kunst and Patricia O'Donnell provid~ some insight abour how to address his-toric landscape pres·

Interpretation: Retcntlon of onglnal landscape form integrated with contemporary conditions and new uses. Rcinforccs histOrical integrity while allowing inclUSion c:J new program. Origina l design intent is respected. Inrerpreouion provides a useful guideline for restoring

many publiC landscapes. as It allows some flcxibility fot intcrpreting the a nginal design mteor as well as accommo­dating evolving uscs. A case 10 polOt IS o..de County's own Fcllrchlld Tropical Garden. C urrently In the process ci suatcglc planning, the Garden had alrndy committed to several fCstoration projccts cvcn befofC It was ravaged by Hurricane Andrew. The damage ca used by the hUrtlC'dOC only underscored the already apJYdrcnt need to cS[:lbllsh a

clear direction for [he growth and restoration of what is perhaps Dadc County's most important dcsigncd land. scape.

Sincc the t.ime of its dt.'<ilcarion in 1942, the lib­e rty Hyde Badey Palm G lade at Fall'(:hild has been the sub,ect c:J con· sidcrable can· troversy and In­

tcrpretation. As II rc.."Suh of research· ing and Inter-p rcting origi nal writtcn and drawn

ervatlon. Tbey defirc the tcrm wndscape presmotion as "a pro--

The UbeTt)' Hydt. Bailty Palm Glade ar Fairchild Tro,Jical Garden "John Qillan

documents by Wall lam lyman Phillips and FrG

cess of scabilltlng, rebt.llldlllg and mallltlumng Of improVing the condi tion and specific qualities c:J an hiStOric landscape so that the landsca~ is protected and the design intcnt fulfi lled." Kunst and O 'Donnell havc proposed live ap-­pr03ches to historic landscape preservation, which are sum­marized as follows:

RestOration: Returning a site to Its original appear-d ltee at a given pomt In time . Authenticity IS paramount. Rehabilitation: Rewmlng an historic landscape toa useful condition. Authenticity is secondaty and may vary. Reconstruction: Repnxiuction of a complcte landscape setti ng. May nO[ ~ on the onginal site. Authenticity depends on research and fundlOg. Conservation: A passive proce.ss of preservation appiled to both natural a.nd ooignc..-d environments. Protcctlon from incompatible uses.

PRFSERVATlON TODAY

records. as well as exteNIVC on-si te observatiOns and dis­CUSSIOns with the FrG staff and Profcsslonal Design Ad\li. sory Committee, the leey IS5UCS surrounding the restoratlon of thisbeaunful area ha\lC been detcmuned. What Isa palm glade! What is the extent of the palm glade at frO! Wru.r should be planted in the flat formal areas below the o\lcr­look! What is the rebtionship of this fonnal area to (he rest of the garden!

T o restore the LI~rty Bai ley Palm Gbde. efforts havc focused pnmarily on thrce thingS:

• Rt\'ealing the outstanding design e1emena conceived by Philli ps including rhe currently lost ViewS of the rock walls and the a\lenues which blscct the <lre'.lS

south and north of the o\lerlook and link together numcrous plots.

25

UN D9CAP65 COt'I'nu.rl

• R~5(oring the oolitic limestone fearures inchxhngthe. walls. Stql$

and bands. (TM ellenr of me

Ivrrd=pe and "" q..,u" of "" cro.ftsmaruhip OTe especially note~ wonJry . Some arttlS requirt TtbuiJd.. mg, orhm nwi.jusr minoT rtpairs .

• Sdectivdy clearing, relocating and planning rocomplement the intended narure d the spa« and appropriately ~xpte.s5 the meaning of th~ Bailey Palm Glade . (PIonImg, wi/J b< _d pri.

marily of pobru and will sm.oe ru a uniq~disp/t.ry of rOftsptcie:s situaud in /ir environmental and com­positional conditions .

As one d only three format spaces (w om rwo being IN Amphirheorre and "" 0._), the Ba;lcy Palm Glade plays a special role in tht: expe­rienced the Garden's beauty. Itserves as a contraSt to the predominandy Informal character ci the: (}.jrden, thus highlighting the beauty of its struc.­

ture, and frames what IS arguably its

mostsptttacular vISta. In keq>lng With Phillt~' design pnnelples ci Variety, Consisteney and Contrast, the Liberty Hyde Bailey Palm Olack Restoration will serve to reveal the charncrerisdc narure of the views, spaces and palms m this unique arc'd. EffortS m 199) should be: viewed not as an end but as a part of a continuing process which began in 1941 when Or. Fairchild re­quested a Palm Glade -- one that will continue to grow and evolve much as the Garden itself must do.

• • • uonardo Al'l!aru U a landscape: ar­chitect and architect who has Iiw:d in Miami fr:w Ot.ter 30 yean. He u Associate Profusr:w and Director of t~ School of Design at Florida Inter­national VnWersi~ and Principal of Khuly AJooret Associatu. Inc •• Ar­chitecrs. Interior Duigners Lartd· scape Architect.s. He u cun-allly working on a book '0 be published in earLy 1993 which wiU documen. key hutonc place5 in Dade Coun~ and 5cr\'C as a whick fur promoting aware­neu of preseRla.ion UJuts . The book wilt feature aw:r 75 images by re­nowncd photographer John QiLLan.

26

The Villagers, Miami's oldest organization dedicated to historic preservation, Is composed of approximately 130 women who share a commitment to the preservation, appreciation and restoration of Miami's historic landmarks and buildings. We have given thousands of volunteer hours of service since our founding in 1966. Through fund-raising and lobbying, we have contributed to a number of Miami's histonc sites , including the Douglas Entrance , the Schoolhouse on the grounds of Plymouth Congregational Church, The Casino at Villa Vizcaya, EI Jardin at Carrollton School, The Barnacle, The Pagoda at Ransom Everglades, and the statuaries at Gusman Center. Our most recent project is the restorallon of Dr. David Fairchild 's Study at hiS Coconut Grove home, The Kampong.

Each year, we host a number of special events, including a festive Holiday House Tour, an enchanting Garden Tour, and scheduled walking excursions through intriguing Coconut Grove. Our cookbook, Biscayne Bights and Breezes, Is a delightful collection of tempting recipes garnished with whimsical vignettes about people and places Important to the history of South Florida. Additionally , through our scholarship fund , we grant several scholarships annually to deserving architectural students at Florida universities.

Our annual HISTORIC HUNT is the highlight of our many and varied activities. Scheduled on the evening of APRIL 1 7 at the Douglas Entrance of Coral Gables, this year's Hunt features a Western theme. An authentic square dance and down-home barbeque will complete the nostalgiC ambiance! Guests will be treated to a rollicking search for historic sites as they follow ambiguous clues In poetic form! Wonderful raffle pnzes , terrific company and a return to the carefree days of yesteryear await those who anend. Call 235-8683

for ticket Information. Reservations are limited to 300.

PRESERVATION TODAY

THE SURVIVOR by Becky Roper Markov

T~ Nola1l/Harris home, shown in earlief' years, hal pt'lNiikd an elegant selling fur man,. Brickell .locial et.'enu.

1'1'1 HE STATELY COLONLAL­sty le home on Brickell Avenue was only 1I year old when the Killer Hurricane of

1926 almost obliccrom:d Miami. It survived [~n. and it $Urvived Hurri­cane Andrew sixty-six years latcr. cksplre windows that were Ixtwmg In

prttanously from the ftCrtt winds. Henriette Hams has lived in tilt

houSt for all those years. Her father. George Nolan, Sr .. had moved his family from Orlando to Miami in 1921 when he became president of the nc=w MiamI National Bank. Henriette's mother was (rom Georgia and "aJways W3n~a big. Southemcolomal home:. And that'S what my father built (or her," Henrieue recalls.

Nicknamed "Millionaire's Row," Brickell Avenue altmat [Ime was lined with beautIful homes owned by the prominent. Carl Fisher. developer of Miami beach, James Deering, Louis

PRESERVATION TODAY

Tiffany. and William Jennings Bryan all had residences there.

Now 82 years old and actively involved in Dade Herirage T nlSt, the Villagers. the CooonutGrove Woman's C lub and the Miami Plon~rs Club, Henriette remembers well the early yean along Bnckdl. Walking across the street to attend classes at Miss Hams' (no relation) School (or Young Ladles. The teas and paroes. The dancC:s in the third noor ballroom ci the Nolan house. Herwedding coOyde Harris in 1941, with the ceremony and reception (or 200 at her home. Her daughrer's wedding (here years later.

She also rcmemlx:rs the years of the 1960s and '70s when one old mansion a(teranother along Brickell was being bulldo:ed to make way for the hlghnse condominiums and bank buddlngs which have taken over the area. And she remembers when the City of Miami in the lare 19705 [old her that they

wanted to bulldoze her hOUSt: unless she knocked down the hul,'C Connml:!n columns and balcony in [he (rant. City zomng officials .• probably alerted. Henriette believes, by a dcvclopc:r who \Va! seeking co buy Brickell property •. informed them thar the aged columns. built of beach sand. were no longer safe and would have to be rcp\acoJ or [he house would be condemned. Unable co pay the COSt (/ restor-mon, the (amlly had to tcar down the columns and remove the balcony, front porch. and porte cocherc.

Since Hurricane Andrew damaged the roof. Henriene Is replaCing the rod with barrel £lIe. wh,ch It had onginally. She WIShes she could afford to replace the missing columns and pocchaswell, whIch would then enable the house to qualify for local hlstonc dcsign<ltion.

Originally built (or SZ8,<XX>. the CDll l im'La (711 'KI8"~ 28

27

Tn. house: at

1548 Brickell Avenue

' oday.

~ IIIII

SURVIVOR continued

house IS now V3 lum at cI~ to $1 million. Numerow prospective de· \lel~rs have approac.hed t~ fami ly with offers for the land, but Henricnc and her brother, George Nolan. Jr., want ro preserve the house. With OJ

large yard, tight bedrooms. gracious living spaces and a magnificent S[3irc3~, it would make an ideal bed and brcakf.ls[ o r consulate, Henriette feels.

"We wouldn't like to 5« it rom down for another apartment building," she says. ''There arc so many fond memories here. and so littleci the past IS 1eCr: along Brickell."

It will Ix a sad loss to Mhlml'S heritage if d~ economic forces ci man end up desaoying what thcdevasrating blows ci narurt= couldn't .

• • • Becky Rope,. Matk~. che/ounderand edicOT 0/ Pre",nKuiQ!I Todqy. l" the co-author of fLorida's HiHoric Re.!H!yrant.J and their f'CciPg. She has s,rved in the past cu twesicknc of Dade H eritage Tmst and cu chainnan of the Slate Historic PreseN"rion Adwory Counci1.

28

\ Owner Henrietle Harn& s il.5 in dlL ,,-aciolU living room ....... portrait of her father. Gerwre Nolu". Sr .• who bwilt the Sullthnn colonia.! in 1925.

PRf.SERVATlON TOD .... y

PRESERVATION

MORNINGSIDE S o c E T y

MORN I NG S- ID E TIlE CITY OF MlAMl'S nRST UISTORJC DlSTRJcr

LOCATED FROM N.E. 55th STREET TO H.E. 60th STREET. BETWEEN BI SCAYNE

BOULEV ARO AND THE BAY JOIN us RIll OUR TOUR Of IIISTOIUC MORNINGSIDE HOMES ON SATUROAY, APRIL 24, I:OOPM·HIOPIoI, $10.00 PER I'IlRSON DISCOUNT AVAJL\lILE FOR SOCI· ETY MEMBERS POR lNPORMAllON OR MEMBEJtSHIP APPLICATION COI'fTACT NANCY NEWTON AT

"""" .....

THE CUSHMAN SCHOOL

592 N. E. 60th Street Miami, Florida 33137

Phone: (305) 757-1966

Dr. Joan D. Lutton, Ed.D. Headmistress

Join

Dade

Heritage

Trust

Today

358-9572

-

Dade Heritage Trust 190 Southeast 12th Terrace

Miami, Florida 33131

NON-PAOFIT ORGANIZATION

u.s. Postage: PAID

MiamI, Florida Permit No. 6022

....------Rebuilding --------, History • • •

Dade Heritage

Days

April 3 - May 9, 1993

--~--- ---.-

•