This museum provides a very colorful look at the people and events that shaped South Florida. Native Americans, European explorers and early pioneers all played a part in creating what we see today. This museum covers the entire fascinating heritage of the region, from the docks and cigar factories of old Key West to the glamor of the Art Deco era. Come February, HistoryMiami hosts the annual Miami International Map Fair.
Founded in 1986 to commemorate the collection of Mitchell Wolfson Junior, The Wolfsonian–Florida International University aims to demonstrate the role and social context of art and design in the industrial period of 1885-1945. The seven-storied facility is located in a renovated Mediterranean-Revival building in the heart of South Beach. Over the years, the museum has gained international recognition as well as local popularity. As a division of Florida International University, the museum provides students with several research and educational opportunities. The museum offers intriguing exhibits, lectures, films, and activities.
Get a closer look at one of the proudest innovations of American ingenuity, the railroad. Authentic Pullmans, engines, and dining cars are displayed along a half-mile of real track. The museum's most prized acquisition, however, is the Ferdinand Magellan, one of the most luxurious railroad cars in the United States. Built in the 1930s for President Franklin Roosevelt, the car has since been used by Presidents Truman, Eisenhower, Reagan, and Bush. The Ferdinand Magellan was completely restored after being destroyed by Hurricane Andrew in 1992, and is now available for public viewing at The Gold Coast Railroad Museum. This unique museum can also be rented for private celebrations as well as corporate functions.