Homepage
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 1955, my new husband and I, as an exciting afterthought, sprinted on an Eastern Air Lines plane from Puerto Rico to Miami to cap off our memorable six-week honeymoon on the “Island of Enchantment.” It was fun to think that an added week to our honeymoon would parallel Elizabeth… Read More
Once upon a time, downtown Miami was THE place to go for Christmas! I especially remember one Christmas, 1960. My parents, Mildred and Edmund Stahl, brother Matthew, age 12, sister Vickie, age 10 and myself, age 7, witnessed the streets transformed into a glorious fairyland! We all dressed in our… Read More
“This is Jeff Goldblum.” I responded, “Sure,” and then hung up. The telephone at Area Stage Company (ASC) rang again and the person on the other end said, “Please don’t hang up. This really is Jeff Goldblum and I’d like to speak with the… Read More
“Where are you from?” was the inevitable question in a small Michigan town with a summer population four times the number of winter residents. When I would answer “Miami,” my stature was assured by my one-word answer. I was usually rewarded with a “Wow, you are so lucky,” or… Read More
It was May 1994. I can still smell the fresh and almost sweet “earthy aroma” that fateful Friday afternoon. The one you get right after the drops of rain hit the ground and interact with dirt. It is a peculiar fragrance that until this day I only experienced in my… Read More