Miami International Airport held a second ribbon cutting ceremony today to honor Glenn Curtiss. This ceremony marked the opening of a new historic display at the airport that highlights Glenn Curtiss’ “transformative role and impact on the region and the flourishing aviation industry that emerged during the cities’ land boom of the 1920s.”
The display is now open through August at MIA’s Concourse J Mezzanine Gallery on the 4th floor.
Miami International Airport is celebrating the centennial anniversaries of neighboring cities Hialeah, Miami Springs, and Opa-locka, and the legacy of their founder, aviation pioneer and land developer Glenn H. Curtiss (1878–1930), with its newest exhibition, Master of the Air, Builder of Dreams: Glenn Curtiss in South Florida.
“I’m thrilled to see this exhibit on display at MIA, to honor the legacy of Glenn Curtiss and the centennial anniversaries of Hialeah, Miami Springs, and Opa-locka – three of Miami-Dade County’s most historic and influential cities. This impressive collection of archives from Miami-Dade County’s past 100 years also supports our local celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. As MIA continues its transformation, installations like this reflect our commitment to enhancing the passenger experience by showcasing the unique culture and history of Miami-Dade County from the moment visitors arrive.”
– Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava.
Curated by aviation historian Richard Leisenring, Miami Springs historian Ken Wilde, and Opa-locka Preservation Association Founder Alex Van Mecl, the exhibition also features a scaled model of the Glenn Curtiss and June Bug Legacy Memorial monument, an upcoming landmark in Miami Springs by local artist Natalie Plasencia. The monument will be unveiled this August in conjunction with Miami Springs’ centennial anniversary on August 23, to honor Curtiss’ innovation, courage, and imagination.
The exhibition was made possible with the generous support and collaboration of the cities of Hialeah, Miami Springs, and Opa-locka, the Curtiss Mansion, the Miami Springs Historical Society, the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, and the Anthony R. Abraham Foundation.
