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The Miami Stories initiative collects stories about Miami’s past, present, and future. Through this oral history project, HistoryMiami Museum documents life in the Magic City through written stories, video submissions, and audio recordings, which are preserved in the museum’s archive, and shared online and through local media outlets.
HistoryMiami Museum accepts written stories and video submissions on a rolling basis. We welcome written stories between 500-1,000 words and video stories under 5 minutes about life in Miami. We encourage storytellers to submit a photo with their written story. To submit a written story, complete the Miami Stories Submission Form. To submit a video story, click on the video story link.
How did you or your family get to Miami?
When do you feel like a Miamian?
What would you miss if you left Miami?
What makes Miami, Miami?
What do you see for Miami’s future?
In collaboration with the Cuban Heritage Collection at the University of Miami Libraries and as a part of the program El efecto Mariel: Before, During, and After, HistoryMiami Museum is collecting stories related to the Mariel boatlift of 1980. Members of the community are encouraged to share their personal memories, stories, and reflections related to Mariel. Stories will be collected virtually on a rolling basis and a series of prompts give participants ideas from where they can begin their story. Submitted stories will become part of the permanent collections of the HistoryMiami Museum and Cuban Heritage Collection and featured on both online platforms.
The Miami Stories Recording Booth allows the museum to capture audio stories at local events.
For more information about booking the Miami Stories Recording Booth, see the Recording Booth Information Sheet or contact us at miamistories@historymiami.org.
As part of the 2020 10 Days of Connection, HistoryMiami Museum invited South Florida residents to share a story about an item that reflects an aspect of their cultural identity and build a community exhibit. We continue to collect these stories and invite you to share yours. Either by yourself or accompanied by your loved ones, submit a video explaining how this object represents your cultural identity. Feel free to submit your story in the language of your choice.
Click here to access the Miami Stories Audio Archive
The first time I saw my father cry was on March 14, 1967. I was 26, he was 57. Dad, Mom and I were saying goodbye to Cuba forever. Hours later, we landed in Miami. After our documentation was received, we reunited with my mother’s sister, Estela. We arrived… Read More
In 1934 my family moved from Deland, Florida, to Miami. I was 6 years old, and my siblings were 12 to 20. We were delighted with our new city. Though my siblings sometimes yearned for the town we had left, I was perfectly happy in our new place from the… Read More
“Why Miami, why not New York?” My aunt (then chief nurse of the Nurses Corps of the armed forces of the Philippines) screamed at me. She voiced concern about the immigration issues Miami was facing in the early ’80s and preferred that I go to the “Big Apple” to experience… Read More
“I need shoes, Caridad, shoes! Stick some in there, we have to go!” Enrique Moya was hurriedly preparing his wife and children for the ordeal that he knew they were all about to go through. Desperately preparing a bag of essentials while his wife packed some clothes, the look on… Read More
Recently, everyone in my family came down with a nasty cold/flu that has been going through Miami like a wildfire in the Everglades. We were walking around like sniffling, bleary-eyed zombies addicted to Kleenex and Theraflu. Pitiful. On a Saturday, after struggling all week with over-the-counter medications, my wife… Read More
