The City of Opa-locka announced today their partnership with the Miami Center for Architecture & Design to present “Centennial Stories: Honoring 100 Years of South Florida Cities,” taking place on Saturday, February 28 from 4:30–6:30 PM.
A signature event part of the third annual Open House Miami, this engaging panel discussion and reception celebrates the 100-year anniversaries of six pioneering municipalities born during South Florida’s transformative 1920s land boom: Opa-locka, Miami Shores, Coral Gables, North Miami, Miami Springs, and Hialeah.
Held in the beautifully restored 1926 Opa-locka Historic City Hall, the event will explore the visionary beginnings, distinctive architecture, and enduring cultural identities that continue to shape these communities today. Attendees will hear from a distinguished panel of preservationists offering unique insights into the legacy and future of South Florida’s centennial cities.
The program will be introduced by Opa-locka Mayor John H. Taylor, Jr., moderated by Emmy Award-winning journalist Hank Tester of CBS Miami, with opening remarks from Christine Rupp, Executive Director of Dade Heritage Trust. The event is co-produced by Jeffrey Saadeh, Vice President, Miami Shores Historic Preservation Board.
Panelists include:
● Karelia Carbonell – President, Historic Preservation Association of Coral Gables
● Ken Wilde – Miami Springs Historian and Preservation Board Member
● John Bachay – Miami Shores & Greater Miami Historian
● Geo Darder – Copperbridge Foundation & North Miami Centennial Committee
● Alex Van Mecl – Founder, Opa-locka Preservation Association
Following the panel, guests will be invited to enjoy a reception sponsored by Bill Hansen Catering. Tickets are limited and expected to sell.
