Miami-Dade County's Historic Heritage Survey seeks public input on sites built between 1941-1981

The Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources, Office of Historic Preservation, is conducting a Historic Heritage Survey, a comprehensive review of historic locations and buildings from 1941 to 1981. Residents who remember places and structures from that era are invited to share their memories of places important to their community. These may be sites that are significant to individuals and their greater community, including houses, churches, playgrounds, schools, businesses and other locations.

The last heritage survey conducted by Miami-Dade County was in 1980, covering structures built before 1940. From 1941 to 1981, approximately 200,000 structures were built in Miami-Dade County. Most of these structures have not yet been documented.

“Through this important survey, we are recognizing and honoring the stories of historically excluded groups in our cultural history, as told by the structures and spaces that are important to them,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava.

In the past, traditional surveys emphasized the architectural value of buildings that may be overlooked and were important for other reasons, such as cultural association or history. This restricted the scope of past surveys and resulted in a limited understanding of the historic and cultural resources that help define important elements of this community’s heritage.

For this survey, the Office of Historic Preservation is looking to learn more about places important to the entire community, including places associated with:

• Native American and Indigenous heritage
• Latino and Hispanic heritage
• African American and Black heritage
• Women’s heritage
• LGTBQ+ heritage
• Asian American heritage
• Religious minorities

The survey is not limited to these groups and will still assess the architectural significance of local structures where relevant. Additionally, the survey is looking at areas of the county that are facing development and gentrification pressure and areas threatened due to flooding and sea level rise.

The survey involves historic research, community engagement, and photographic documentation of buildings and sites. Information gathered in this survey will create a record of the built environment and provide guidance that can be used for future policymaking to protect or highlight historic resources.  

The Office of Historic Preservation is working with Shulman and Associates and Geo-Urban Consulting on this survey. 

To learn more about the survey, visit www.miamidade.gov/historicpreservation and to provide feedback, visit https://feedback.miamidade.gov/jfe/form/SV_8enaP8BgYaETcqy.  For more information, contact the Office of Historic Preservation at 305-375-4958 or [email protected].