Miami Stories

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.


Your Story Matters

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?


Click here to submit your story today!
or
Click here to create a video and share on social media

 


Mariel Stories

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.

Learn more and share your Mariel Story

 


 

Miami Stories Recording Booth

 

 

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.

 

 

 


Explore the Miami Stories Archives

 

VIDEO STORIES

Submit your video story

 

Click here to watch these videos with closed captioning.

10 Days of Connection Online Exhibit

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.

 

AUDIO STORIES

Click here to access the Miami Stories Audio Archive

 

 

WRITTEN STORIES

Cynthia Valdivieso

Saturday at 4:30 a.m. If you don’t have trouble getting up, you’re probably a runner. Weekdays are fun runs, under four miles. Saturdays are exciting. Saturdays are long runs! Toe socks, water belt, jelly beans, light clip — it is with a respectful sense of ceremony that I put on… Read More

Karelia Martinez Carbonell

I was born in Cuba. My name “Karelia” has an interesting background. The name is not of Hispanic origin but Russian. There is a region known as the Russian Republic of Karelia, and “Karelia Suite, Op. 11,” was written by Jean Sibelius in 1893. My family immigrated to the United… Read More

Rachelle Salnave

I call Little Haiti home. Though I don’t physically live there, it’s part of what I refer to as “My Miami,” and a big part of what makes this city so cool. Over the past seven years living in South Florida, I’ve had many moments reflecting on the similarities between… Read More

Eileen Levine Seitlin

As a city girl from the Bronx, the only strawberries I had picked were at the corner supermarket. Oftentimes on weekend trips with my husband we would be driving through strawberry fields on the way to an Islamorada Keys getaway. Today, I live in an East Kendall townhome built on… Read More

Carl Juste

I am an immigrant. Freedom has never been just a concept, but my reality. I give because giving was instilled in me by my family and education. I serve because I stand on the shoulders of giants, and it is my obligation. This is my story, and I am better… Read More