National Trust for Historic Preservation: Return to home page

With the goal of promoting the revitalization of the Little Havana neighborhood for current and future residents, the National Trust for Historic Preservation and PlusUrbia Design released a master plan focused on building a healthy, equitable and resilient neighborhood community in Little Havana. The plan, put together over the course of more than two years and with the input of over 2,700 neighborhood residents and stakeholders and several local partners, brings together best practices and the latest thinking from a range of fields—from public health to urban planning to architectural design and historic preservation. It is the first plan of its kind to focus specifically on revitalizing and improving the quality of life for people in Miami’s most iconic neighborhood.

Learn more and read the Little Havana Revitalization Plan.

On Friday, February 23, the National Trust and a team of local artists brought new life to a mural-covered alleyway located in the heart of Calle Ocho with the launch of an exciting new exhibit.

Entitled “Little Havana Me Importa: The Places and Faces That Define a Neighborhood,” the exhibit invites audiences to step into the daily lives of ten local residents whose passion, creativity, and penchant for history is ensuring that future generations will experience the Little Havana we know today.

Hundreds of local community advocates packed the alleyway for the project’s debut, which included each resident who was documented in the exhibit dramatically unveiling their portion of it for the world to see. Among the residents spotlighted were a fruit stand owner, a dancer, a mural artist, an ice cream shop owner, a historian, and even a vendor who has been selling roasted peanuts on Calle Ocho for over 40 years! Meet them all with this special online exhibit.

This exhibit was made possible by funds raised through the Heineken Cities Project and is an integral part of the National Trust’s ongoing work in this iconic neighborhood. It is free of charge and will be on display in the alleyway adjacent to the Futurama Building at 1637 SW 8th Street through the end of May

Always moving to its own rhythm, Little Havana is the beating heart of Miami and a cherished symbol of the American melting pot.

From its role as a haven for Cuban Americans to its more recent incarnation as a home for immigrants from Central America and the Caribbean, Little Havana’s streets have been shaped by generations of people seeking community and making new lives for themselves. And along the way, they’ve created a place so beautiful and so complex that Little Havana has become one of the most iconic neighborhoods in the country.

That’s why we’re excited to invite you to a special exhibit celebrating this remarkable place. Presented by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Heineken USA, and the Little Havana Me Importa Coalition, “Little Havana Me Importa: The Faces and Places That Define a Neighborhood” steps into the daily lives of ten local residents whose passion, creativity, and penchant for history is ensuring that future generations will experience the Little Havana we know today. Their stories are different and their backgrounds are diverse, but they all share a common love: the place they call home.

When: The exhibit’s debut event will be held Friday, February 23, at 6:30 PM during Viernes Culturales, the monthly cultural festival on historic Calle Ocho (SW 8th Street).

Where: Calle Ocho in the alleyway adjacent to the Futurama Building at 1637 SW 8th Street.

Cost: This exhibit is free and open to the public. Tickets are not required, but space is limited so please RSVP today. Can’t make it? Don’t worry – the exhibit will be on display in the same location on Calle Ocho through May.

RSVP Today: SavingPlaces.org/LittleHavanaExhibit

This weekend, the Ball and Chain in Little Havana will be toasting its 81st year with a festival celebrating its history as one of Miami's most famous music venues.

"At Calle Ocho's famed bar and venue Ball & Chain, the sounds of today's Miami music echo through walls that once heard the greats of jazz's golden age. If these walls could talk, they'd tell stories of the time stars such as Billie Holiday and the Count Basie Orchestra stopped to play at the world-famous lounge."

The fun gets underway the afternoon of Friday, September 2 and continues through the weekend until 3 a.m. Sunday and features two dozen jazz, Latin, and Afro-pop bands.

Read the full story from the Miami New Times.