305-250-9133
305-285-2004 FAX

Directions:
From the north, take I-95 S., exit 1 and follow the signs to Vizcaya. From the south, take U. S. 1 (South Dixie Highway) north to S. W. 17th Avenue, go east and follow the signs to Vizcaya.

Hours of Operation:
9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Description and Activities:
In planning his winter estate during the early part of the 20th century, James Deering sent a note to Paul Chalfin, his interior designer and artistic director for Vizcaya, saying that he wanted to grow orchids at his palatial home on Biscayne Bay.

"My idea about orchids was to have a place where they could be raised for the use of the house," he wrote. "I am very fond of them and would like an ample supply if it's possible to have it."

Eighty-six years later, that orchid place has finally arrived with the opening of the David A. Klein Orchidarium at Vizcaya. The gallery of orchids, including huge specimens of Vanda orchids, wonderfully aromatic Cattleya hybrids and swan orchids, is designed in keeping with the Italianate architecture of the estate.

Using a multimillion-dollar gift from the late David Klein, who owned a limo- sine service and had a winter home in Coconut Grove, Vizcaya hired an orchid curator, built two new greenhouses and constructed the 12-foot tall pergola.

And the spirit of an era continues with James Deering's passion for orchids.

Vizcaya, the winter home of International Harvester vice president James Deering, offers a unique glimpse of a vanished lifestyle in America.

Today one of South Florida's leading attractions, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens provides a window to both the history of Miami, graced by the villa since it completion in 1916; and to the Italian Renaissance, represented in the Museum's architecture. Its art and furnishings portray 400 years of European history.

Vizcaya was originally an estate of 180 acres, designed to resemble a typical Italian villa, self-sufficient, with a dairy, poultry house, mule stable, greenhouse, and staff residences. The house and gardens are the creation of three architects: F. Burrall Hoffman designed the buildings; Diego Suarez planned the gardens; and Paul Chalfin was the general artistic supervisor for every phase of the project. Together they created an estate that looked as if it had been lived in by succeeding generations of the same family with each generation adding their own period furnishings of the time. All of the decorative elements including furniture, lighting fixtures, doors and fireplaces were purchased by Deering on shopping expeditions throughout Europe. The house took two years to build. The formal gardens were not completed until 1921 due to the outbreak of World War I. During construction, 1,000 workers were employed, representing nearly 10% of Miami's population.

After Deering's death in 1925, a minimal staff maintained the house. The hurricane of 1926, which devastated much of Miami, severely damaged the estate. In 1952, Miami-Dade County purchased Vizcaya and opened it as a museum. Extensive restoration has brought the house and the remaining 50 acres back to the way they appeared in Deering's day.

Nearly 200,000 people visit Vizcaya each year including some of the world's leading dignitaries such as President Reagan, Pope John Paul II, Queen Elizabeth of England and King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia of Spain. In 1994, the historic Summit of the Americas was held at Vizcaya with President Clinton and the 34 leaders of the Western Hemisphere.

Vizcaya, possessing national significance to the history of the United States, has been designated a National Historic Landmark. Vizcaya is accredited by the American Association of Museums.

Admission Price:
Adults $10, children (6 - 12) $5, children under 6 free.

Payment Options:
American Express, MasterCard, Visa

Website:
vizcayamuseum.com