Preparing for a Field Study Visiting Vizcaya All rights reserved. All content (text, images and otherwise) in this document is proprietary to Vizcaya Museum.

Preparing for a Field Study

Visiting Vizcaya

All rights reserved. All content (text, images and otherwise) in this document is proprietary to Vizcaya Museum and Gardens or used consistent with the owner’s permission, applicable law or regulation. You may use this content for educational purposes only. You may not use this content for commercial purposes or personal gain without the written permission of Vizcaya Museum and Gardens.

Visiting Vizcaya

What is a field study?Why are we preparing for field

study?

Museums & Learning

What is a museum?

A museum collects, preserves and interprets objects, and is open to the public for purposes of education and enjoyment.

Past & Present

East Gate Lodge, c. 1917 East Gate Lodge, Today

Where is Your School?

National Historic Landmark

Landmark:• A place where significant historical events occurred• A place where prominent Americans worked or lived• A place that represents ideas that provide information

about our past• A place that is an outstanding example of design or

construction

James Deering (1859-1925)

James Deering, c. 1917

James Deering was a businessman who built Vizcaya.

Originally, Vizcaya was Mr. Deering’s private, winter home.

This photograph shows himabout 58 years old at Vizcaya.

Vizcaya As a Museum

After his death, his family wanted others to be able to enjoy Vizcaya, so most of the estate was given to Miami-Dade County to care for and operate as a public museum.

Vizcaya Is An Estate

An estate:• Includes all of someone’s property and

belongings • Usually includes a large residence• Usually includes a lot of land

James Deering’s Bedroom View of Gardens

Vizcaya’s Construction

• Construction began on the Main House in 1914 and Mr. Deering moved in on December 25, 1916.

• The gardens took longer to complete and were not finished until 1922.

Vizcaya’s Design

Vizcaya is a combination of European and American ideas and

design. Vizcaya was inspired by the style of an Italian country

villa, but it is built right along Biscayne Bay using many local

materials, which makes Vizcaya American.

Preservation

When visiting the museum how can you help us preserve, or take care of, the house and objects?

What expectations do you think the museum has for your behavior?

Preservation

You can help preserve Vizcaya and its collections, by

following these guidelines:

• Visitors may not touch objects inside or outside• Backpacks are not allowed in the Main House

(leave them at school) • Food and drinks (including gum) are not allowed

in the Main House• Photography and video are permitted outside

only

FIELD STUDYDATE:

Destination: Vizcaya Museum and Gardens3251 South Miami Avenue, Miami, FL 33129

Bus departs school: Bus departs museum:

Lunch time:Vizcaya Museum and Gardens School Group Picnic Area

Guided tour of Main House:Indoor Tour

Guided tour of gardens:Outdoor Tour

Other field study details:

Field study will take place indoors and outdoors, rain or shine. Comfortable shoes and casual clothes

are suggested.

Classroom Lesson

1. Log onto Vizcaya’s web page: www.vizcaya.org

2. On the horizontal navigation bar at the top of the page point your cursor to About Us. A list of pages will appear.

3. Click on Creating Vizcaya.

4. On the vertical navigation bar at the left of the page click on Paul Chalfin.

5. Click on the image of the drawing to enlarge it.

Design at VizcayaTake a good look at this drawing and then write your thoughts below.

What can we learn about Vizcaya’s design from looking at this drawing? What

do you see that makes you think that? What more can you find?

(Use the back if needed.)

Design at Vizcaya

Take a good look at this drawing and then write your thoughts below.

What can we learn about Vizcaya’s design from looking at

this drawing? What do you see that makes you think

that? What more can you find?

Image Reference