The Miami Circle

In January, 1999, when no one thought it possible, Dade Heritage Trust launched a campaign to save the mysterious 2000-year-old Miami Circle --located on 2.2 acres of prime Downtown real estate where the Miami River met Biscayne Bay-- from being demolished for a highrise development. Thirty-eight feet in diameter, the Circle was carved four feet deep into the limestone bedrock and was probably used for ceremonial purposes. As the only cut stone formation of its kind found in the U.S. , it aroused international interest. DHT’s efforts to save the Circle from oblivion included legal action, community education, press releases, TV appearances, grassroots advocacy and fundraising. Vast amounts of media coverage and political persuasion-- and scientific testing provided by funding DHT secured --- finally led to a settlement with the developer for $26.7 million. The State of Florida allocated $15 million in CARL funds for acquisition, Miami-Dade County allocated $3 million from Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond funds, private donors contributed, and the Trust for Public Land loaned the County $8.7 million. DHT Executive Director Becky Roper Matkov and DHT Past President Enid Pinkney, who both fought to save the Circle, now serve on the State Circle Planning Committee to develop the interpretation of this symbolically powerful historic place.

Old Miami High School

The very first Miami High School , a 1905 bungalow-style structure, was going to be demolished for a high-rise development, but thanks to a coalition of Dade Heritage Trust, the City of Miami and the Miami High Alumni, the owner agreed to donate the structure to the City of Miami for public use. After months of planning, fundraising and negotiating, the Old Miami High was relocated three blocks away to Southside Park on January 18, 2003 . There it will be used as a community center, serving a fast-growing neighborhood that needs additional resources badly.

The developer, Kevin Reilly of KV Brickell Partners, Ltd., donated $35,000 towards the relocation, DHT and the Miami High Alumni raised $41,000 for the project, and the City of Miami allocated $350,000 for the restoration. Another $400,000 must be raised to complete the project. DHT was slated to receive a $300,000 Special Category grant for the Old Miami High restoration this year, but the State Legislature did not allocate funding. DHT continues to seek donations from all sources so that Old Miami High can once again be a resource for school children and the general public.

Hubbard-Alvarez Bungalow

A house in Little Havana, considered by many to be the best example of a Belvedere Bungalow in the City of Miami , was saved from the bulldozer by Dade Heritage Trust, which used its Preservation Revolving Fund to purchase the building in August, 2003.

Located near the Orange Bowl, at 138 NW l6th Avenue, the J. Jacob Hubbard house had been built circa 1921 in the Lawrence Estate Land Company Subdivision. It was home to Rolando and Mercedes Alvarez for the last 40 years. They had raised their family there, and still enjoyed sitting in the rocking chairs on the breezy front porch with its oolitic limestone piers. Health problems and a desire to live near their daughter in Orlando , however, made a developer’s offer to buy the property, demolish the house and construct an apartment building sound attractive.

Bungalows, a common architectural style from 1914 through 1920, are now fast vanishing in Miami , with DHT listing them on its “Most Endangered Historic Sites List.”

This particular bungalow, with its wood shingles, intersecting gabled roof planes, wide overhanging eaves, decorative timbers, Prairie style casement windows, and a second-story belvedere, is extraordinary in that it has been changed so little. When DHT Executive Director Becky Roper Matkov learned that it was imperiled at a City Historic and Environmental Preservation Board meeting, DHT’s Board decided to act. Empowered with a Preservation Revolving Fund, established with support from Miami-Dade County , DHT was able to purchase the house and save it from destruction. DHT is now seeking funds to restore the house as a demonstration project to instruct and inspire others to treasure and preserve their own historic homes and buildings.

 

Past Projects

Restoration and Re-Lighting of the 1825 Cape Florida Lighthouse
on Key Biscayne

Dade Heritage Trust raised and administered over $900,000 in grants and private donations for this ambitious undertaking, which involved thousands of volunteer hours. This massive project was done in cooperation with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Recreation and Parks. The Lighthouse Restoration culminated with a Gala Re-Lighting Ceremony in July 1996, capping Miami's Centennial Celebration.

Preservation of The Office of Dr. James M. Jackson

Built in 1905 as an office and surgery for the pioneer Doctor Jackson, this wood frame structure was moved to its present location in 1917. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it was restored by Dade Heritage Trust in 1976 and is maintained by the organization as its headquarters.

Hurricane Restoration of Historic Properties

Dade Heritage Trust administered over $2,000,000 in federal, state, and foundation funds to rehabilitate and restore a multitude of Dade County historic properties damaged by Hurricane Andrew.

Preservation and Relocation of the 1858 Wagner Homestead, Dade County's Oldest House, to Lummus Park

Ongoing efforts include securing the park as an educational and cultural heritage site and revitalizing the adjoining neighborhoods along the historic Miami River.

Historic Miami City Cemetery

Since 1996, Dade Heritage Trust has worked to secure, preserve, and beautify the historic Miami City Cemetery, final resting place of Julia Tuttle, the "mother of Miami," and many early pioneer families, both black and white, Christian and Jewish. Thanks to Dade Heritage Trust's Cemetery Task Force, an attractive security fence has been installed and hundreds of flowering trees have been planted. An annual Cemetery Commemorative Service, organized by DHT's African American Committee, features a procession led by a marching band and is a multi-cultural highlight of Dade Heritage Days.