MDPL provides cultural and educational programs to Miami-Dade County residents, surrounding counties, citizens of Florida and to national and international visitors and tourists. Our programs are developed for the general public and have special appeal to those interested in art, design, architecture, history, preservation, urban and community planning and development.
The Apalachicola Maritime Museum features the "Heritage of Apalachicola," a replica of a 1930s ketch named the "Mobjack." Inside the newly construction museum building is a boat-building and -restoration workshop that visitors may observe from a second-story deck.*
Guided tours of the Hazel-Atlas mine take visitors through an old mine used to produce silica sand for glass items. The Greathouse Visitor Center, which contains displays and artifacts from the old mining days, is located in an underground excavated chamber. Also on-site is the Rose Hill Cemetary, which contains the resting places of the old local residents. The land upon which the mine was was formally inhabited by three tribes of native Americans: Chupcan, Volvon, and Ompin.
An elegant 1850s plantation home restored to give visitors an authentic picture of 19th Century rural life.
This stately brick home at Philippi, West Virginia is set against the rolling hills of Barbour County and was built in 1870. The mansion house has been restored with great attention to authenticity for the period of the house. Featured are the homemade brick and the walnut woodwork throughout the house. The barn built approximately 1850 has recently been restored and is open to the public on weekends during tour season.
The house and land reflect the early history of West Virginia with the original owners engaged in farming. Emancipated slaves from the farm worked on the construction of the house. The surrounding area is rich in civil war history with the first land battle of the war fought in Philippi in June 1861.
Eight flags have flown over the shores of tiny Amelia Island since the French landed here in 1562. The Amelia Island Museum of History's numerous permanent exhibits and artifacts explore the area's complex history, while walking tours down historic Centre Street and through old cemeteries provide visitors with a vibrant sense of the island's unique history.
These beautiful ornamental gardens were first planted in 1923 by Alfred B. and Louise Maclay after they purchased the property for their winter home. A masterpiece of floral architecture, the gardens feature a picturesque brick walkway, a secret garden, a reflection pool, a walled garden, and hundreds of azaleas and camellias. Lake Hall provides opportunities for swimming, fishing, canoeing and kayaking. Only boats without motors or with electric motors are allowed.
Pavilions and grills along the lake shore provide the perfect setting for a picnic. For walking enthusiasts, two short nature trails meander through the woods overlooking the lake. Hikers, bicyclists, and equestrians can enjoy five miles of multi-use trails winding through the woods surrounding Lake Overstreet, located on park property adjoining the gardens. High blooming season is from January 1-April 30 with the floral peak in mid-to-late March.
In 1961, the Albin Polasek Foundation was founded by the sculptor and his wife, and at that time, the residence, galleries, chapel and gardens were opened to the public as a museum.
The former home of sculptor Albin Polasek is now a museum and sculpture garden. The Albin Polasek Foundation runs the museum in order to preserve the legacy and works of the artist. The Foundation seeks to promote the legacy of the internationally know sculptor and to encourage the study, appreciation, and furtherance of representational art.
The first city hospital, which opened at the time of the influenza epidemic of 1918, is Miami's oldest surviving hospital building. It was designed by August C. Geiger, who is best known for creating Mediterranean Revival style buildings. The Alamo got its nickname because its Spanish-inspired design is reminiscent of the Texas landmark. The building was moved to its present location in 1979 and now serves as an information center for Jackson Memorial Hospital. This building was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
At this museum, visitors can experience everything from aviation warfare armament from the early days of World War I to today's high tech planes and bombs.
The Air Force Armament Museum on Eglin Air Force Base brings the history of U.S. air combat to the present-day military tourist. As the only institution in the country dedicated to Air Force armament, the museum offers a rare opportunity to examine planes and weapons from the past century of aerial warfare.
Its expansive collection, which includes a WWII era B-17 bomber and a GBU-43 Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb (often known by its nickname, "Mother of All Bombs"), will appeal to the military enthusiast both young and old.
The Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum on Big Cyrpess Reservation explores the history of the Seminole Indian tribe in southwest Florida.
Artifacts and exhibits attest to their historical legacy, while a living history Indian village at the end of a scenic nature trail vividly displays the culture of the Seminoles.
Museum exhibits and rare artifacts show how the Seminole lived in the Florida swamps and Everglades. The museum film, 'We Seminoles,' tells their story in their own words, including their dramatic struggle to remain in Florida.
Nature trails will take you throughout the beautiful 60-acre cypress dome to a living village. The museum also has interactive computers, and a Native American gift shop.
This online collection spotlights the Museum's impressive collection of Seminole baskets and postcards.