A CULTURE From its inception, Vizcaya reflected James Deering's interests in art, history and the natural environment and in doing so, anticipated the internationalism and creativity for which Miami is known today. Deering filled Vizcaya with art and antiquities from around the world, and he commissioned new works from living artists to complete his vision. Laborers and craftsmen of diverse backgrounds built Vizcaya, including Bahamians who applied their shell craft to the exquisite garden grottos. Across South Miami Avenue from the Main House and gardens, Deering built the Vizcaya Village. The Village housed Vizcaya's staff, while its facilities, such as a farm complete with cattle, poultry and greenhouses, helped support the estate. Vizcaya quickly became a Miami hot spot—a place that exemplified waterfront living in Miami, where Deering entertained his guests and to which the public was regularly invited to explore the gardens and grounds. After Deering's death, his nieces worked to ensure Vizcaya's future and its accessibility to the public. In 1952, they conveyed the estate's buildings, grounds and art collections to Dade (now Miami-Dade) County, beginning Vizcaya's new chapter as public museum and gardens. Because it is both uniquely beautiful and emblematic of Miami, Vizcaya has, since then, attracted millions of locals and visitors from around the world for educational, cultural and social experiences. Vizcaya's immersive qualities—uniting art, history and the natural environment— position it as a key resource to learn from the past, understand the present and help shape the future. CENTURY OF
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