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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
In 1950, my dad Hyman “Hank” Bergman left his hometown of Baltimore, Md. to study at the University of Miami on the G.I. Bill. During World War II, he was a war hero (awarded the Silver Star medal, Bronze Star medal, 4-Bronze Battle Stars, and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge)… Read More
It is hard to believe that I have called Miami home for over 35 years. Actually I am just another transplanted Ohioan who landed in South Florida. Yet each time I cross over any of the causeways to Miami Beach, I tend to believe that this was all part of… Read More
When I arrived in Miami in the early 1980s, the slogan “Miami is for Me” was ubiquitous. As someone who had just arrived here from New York, I not only wondered what the buzz was all about, but I did not believe for one second that it could ever… Read More
My mom, Jeannette Simon, nee Kronenfeld, came to Miami with her family in 1923. They left Ohio in a Model T for better weather in Palm Beach. When they came to a fork in the road, another motorist told them to head for Miami where “everything was booming.” My… Read More
I was born in Atlanta in 1942, but my father was the band leader at the Biltmore Hotel. He also worked during the day at the Veterans Hospital as a physical therapist. Because my brother, George, had asthma, the doctors thought a warmer climate would be better for him,… Read More
