Vizcaya - discovering its roots

Vizcaya                                                                     Photo - Palley Promotions

Founded almost a century ago in the heart of Miami, the remarkable history of Vizcaya will unfold this Sunday, September 20, 2009, 6pm on WPBT2 - South Florida's premier public broadcaster.

Documentary filmmaker Linda Corley, who has a background in the arts, decorative arts and architecture, has long been drawn to the enchantment, the mystery and the beauty that is Vizcaya.

“I thought long and hard about it and it is an amazing story, from its envisioning to its completion,” says Corley. “When people visit the house, they 'ooh and aah' about the paintings, carpets, tapestries, etc., but visitors don’t seem to understand what it took to build the house.”

Research shows it took ten years, more than 1,000 workers, including laborers and craftsmen from the Caribbean and Europe, and a number of immense obstacles – including its rising from a swamp riddled with land crabs, mosquitoes, crocodiles and alligators and construction taking place during WWI.

It is interesting to note that at the time of Vizcaya’s construction, Miami’s population was around 10,000, which means about 1/10^th of the population invested in Vizcaya's roots. Today, Miami has an estimated population just over 424,000.

One of the most intact remaining architectural examples from the American Renaissance, a time in United States history when the nation’s wealthy industrialists built lavish estates inspired by the palaces of Europe, Vizcaya started with the incredible vision of agricultural industrialist James Deering, who wanted to bring his dream of a winter retreat to fruition. Deering partnered with Paul Chalfin, a young New York painter, and together they traveled throughout Europe surveying residential architecture for ideas and design elements, such as doors, wall panels, mantels and ceilings for incorporation into the proposed home. In addition to the house and gardens, the complex included a farm, livestock, and a variety of other service facilities covering 180 acres on both sides of South Miami Avenue. (1)

Standing the test of time, including the Great Miami Hurricane of 1926 and Hurricane Andrew in 1992, Vizcaya has rightly earned its designation as a National Historic Landmark for its national significance as an achievement of American Renaissance architecture, landscape design, decorative arts, and art collecting. It is also listed as one of the top five most beautiful estates in the United States.

Open everyday except Christmas, Vizcaya hosts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. South Floridians can take great pride and joy in knowing this masterpiece is in their own backyard.

The one-hour documentary will air this Sunday, September 20, 2009, 6pm on WPBT2 and will be narrated by another one of Miami's finest, actor and former alumni of Miami Beach Senior High School, Andy Garcia. Known for his solid character and firm commitment to the arts, this will be a delightful treat for all.

Vizcaya. Sit back and enjoy the show.

 For more info: Visit www.vizcayamuseum.org or call 305-250-9133. Special thanks to Palley Promotions for contributing to this article. (1) Wikipedia