Top: Mayor Manny Diaz examines a school desk from the early 1900’s inside the restored Old Miami High building. Bottom: Becky Roper Matkov, President/CEO of the Dade Heritage Trust, Coral Gable Mayor Donald Slesnick, and Miami Mayor Manny Diaz present Miss Lamar Louise Curry with a Salute. Photos Credit: Jorge R. Perez/City of Miami.

Miami, FL –Mayor Manny Diaz, City of Miami Commission Chairman Joe Sanchez, Coral Gables Mayor Donald Slesnick and members of the Dade Heritage Trust today celebrated the grand opening of the restored Old Miami High building now located at Southside Park.

“This school serves as an example of the best that historic preservation can do for our city,” said Mayor Diaz. “During my years in city hall, we have worked hard to preserve our history. There are now almost 100 designated historic sites, districts and archeological zones. I am proud of all of our accomplishments including the renovation of historic Miami City Hall and the designation of the Freedom Tower as a national historic site.”

Built in 1905 in Downtown Miami as the city’s first high school, this wood frame structure was moved south of the Miami River in 1911. It served as the first Southside Elementary School from 1911 to 1914, later becoming a boarding house. Old Miami High has now been restored, with an historic classroom for tours, educational meeting space and a City Parks office.   

“We are committed to historic preservation in the City of Miami,” said Commissioner Sanchez. “I supported this project because I believe that we must do our very best to preserve Miami’s illustrious past, and because I am a proud Miami High Stingaree.”

Among the honored guests attending the ceremony was Miss Lamar Louise Curry. At 102 years young, Ms. Curry was a teacher at Miami High School for 32 years. The restoration was accomplished in part with the aid of her $15,000 donation to the project.

Included in the historic classroom are: an antique wooden 1900-era student school desk, historic photos of students at the building, a 1902 map of Florida and eventually a 1905 American flag. 

The public is welcome to visit and witness first hand the building in which many of Miami’s first students received their education.