February 19 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Explore the rich and evolving history of South Dade through the lens of its agricultural roots. This program will delve into the transformation of the Homestead and Redland areas—regions long defined by their fertile land, migrant labor, and deep ties to farming communities. From early homesteaders and generational farms to the impacts of urban development and environmental change, we’ll examine how agriculture has shaped the identity, economy, and culture of the region. Join us for an engaging conversation featuring historians, photographers, and community advocates who offer personal and professional insights into the past, present, and future of South Dade’s agricultural landscape.
Seating is first-come, first-served. Please plan to arrive early to ensure preferred seating.
Presented in conjunction with the exhibition Belonging in Transit, on view through March 29, 2026. Ticket includes complimentary pass to HistoryMiami Museum.
Presented in collaboration with Miami Dade College (MDC) Homestead Campus and Miami-Dade County Department of Regulatory & Economic Resources, Office of Historic Preservation.
Featured Speakers:
Claudia Gonzalez
Community Activist
Claudia Gonzalez was born to a Guatemalan father and a Salvadoran mother and moved to the United States as a child. After her arrival, she picked crops and worked in nurseries within the Homestead area; and has since gained extensive experience spanning both healthcare and broadcast media. Within the healthcare field, Claudia has gained experience as a medical assistant and as a marketing specialist working in various clinics.
Claudia has worked for one of the largest Hispanic media outlets where she was involved in production. In this role, she informed the public about hardships surrounding the community. In 2009, Claudia began volunteering with Farmworker Association of Florida (FWAF) and was hired full-time shortly thereafter.
Claudia Gonzalez has been recognized numerous times for her work within the community, including with her selection to the Nacional Advisory Council on Migrant Health Committee, the 2017 National Association of Community Health Center Outstanding Migrant Health Center Board Member Award, the Community Campion Award for 2019 for the Miami Dade County Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board, and the high honor of the Ohtli Award by the Mexican Government for her dedication and service to the Mexican community in the exterior and culture. Claudia also serves on various committees. She is a member of the American Friends Service Committee; represented the South Region, National and Peace Task Group; member of Women’s Club of Homestead; on the Executive Committee at CHI Board of Directors; and works with Manos Solidarias Foundation.
Tamara McDonald, JD
Historic Preservation Specialist
Tamara McDonald, JD is a Historic Preservation Specialist for Miami-Dade County. An alumnus of University of Central Florida (2006) and FAMU College of Law (2009) she strives to elevate community identity through her research and preservation practice, working to identify, recognize, and preserve both tangible and intangible cultural resources. Ms. McDonald’s work contributes to initiatives that amplify community heritage, strengthening the connection between historic preservation, research, and public engagement. She focuses on dynamic presentation of research, integrating diverse perspectives, to share inclusive and representative narratives detailing the growth and change linked to our built environment and community stories. Her areas of expertise include architectural and historical research, cultural heritage interpretation, content development and curation.
Carlos “Cali” Muñoz
Documentary Photographer
Carlos “Cali” Muñoz is a documentary photographer, born in Caracas, Venezuela, to Colombian parents. He discovered his passion for photography while advocating for social causes in Venezuela, and in 2015 emigrated to Miami, where he began a new chapter dedicated to visual storytelling.
His current work focuses on Redland Market Village in Homestead, Florida, where he documents the lives of immigrants, primarily from Mexico and Central America, who gather around this vibrant marketplace. Through his lens, Cali highlights cultural traditions, daily struggles, and aspirations, showcasing the resilience and diversity that shape South Florida’s social fabric. His photography goes beyond the technical, seeking the essence of people and the untold stories that live beneath the surface.
Oscar Blanco
Miami Dade College
Oscar Blanco is a history professor at Miami Dade College. Blanco develops courses and extracurricular programs that engage students in American history, including initiatives that support college readiness and preparation for the Florida Civic Literacy Exam. His expertise is the history of Capitalism, and his research focuses on big-data approaches to media analysis, offering insight into how political communication and public narratives shape communities over time. Blanco’s work in student leadership and civic engagement reflects a commitment to expanding educational access and fostering historical awareness in South Dade. As both an educator and community advocate, he brings a grounded perspective on the region’s evolving cultural identity and social landscape.
Moderator:
Paul S. George, Ph.D.
Resident Historian
For over three decades, HistoryMiami Museum’s Resident Historian Dr. Paul S. George has toured his way to local, national, and international acclaim with his continuing series of historic tours. Through walking, coach, and boat tour experiences, Dr. George has welcomed tour participants on a memorable journey of South Florida through its historic neighborhoods, landmarks, and sites. As a Miami native, author, and former college professor, Dr. George has gained fame for his uncanny ability to recall the most impressive details about the people and places that make South Florida so unique.
Additional Information
Please see below for additional information regarding the program. For further assistance, please contact Visitor Services at (305) 375-1492 or email programs@historymiami.org.
Belonging in Transit Public Programs
Panel Discussion—Belonging in Transit: An Evening with Photographer Carlos Muñoz
Thursday, December 4, 2025 from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
FREE with Registration
Photo Walk! With Documentary Photographer Carlos Munoz
Saturday, January 31, 2026 from 10:00 am – noon
$25 Museum Members, $35 Non-Members
Panel Discussion—The Changing Landscape of South Dade
Thursday, February 19, 2026 from 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
FREE with Registration
Photo Credit: Sunset over farmlands. Courtesy of the GMCVB – http://MiamiandMiamiBeach.com
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To request materials in accessible format, sign language interpreters, and/or any disability accommodation, please call 305-375-1601 or email accessibility@historymiami.org at least two weeks in advance of your visit to initiate your request. TTY users may also call 711 (Florida Relay Service).
Release
By entering the premises, you consent to interview(s), photography, audio recording, video recording and its/their release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction to be used for news, web casts, promotional purposes, telecasts, advertising, inclusion on web sites, or any other purpose by HistoryMiami Museum (HMM) and its affiliates and representatives. You release HistoryMiami Museum (HMM) its officers and employees, and each and all persons involved from any liability connected with the taking, recording, digitizing, or publication of interviews, photographs, computer images, video and/or or sound recordings. By entering the premises, you waive all rights you may have to any claims for payment or royalties in connection with any exhibition, streaming, webcasting, televising, or other publication of these materials, regardless of the purpose or sponsoring of such exhibiting, broadcasting, webcasting, or other publication irrespective of whether a fee for admission or sponsorship is charged. You also waive any right to inspect or approve any photo, video, or audio recording taken by HistoryMiami Museum (HMM) or the person or entity designated to do so by HistoryMiami Museum (HMM) You have been fully informed of your consent, waiver of liability, and release before entering the premise.
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Release
By entering the premises, you consent to interview(s), photography, audio recording, video recording and its/their release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction to be used for news, web casts, promotional purposes, telecasts, advertising, inclusion on web sites, or any other purpose by HistoryMiami Museum (HMM) and its affiliates and representatives. You release HistoryMiami Museum (HMM) its officers and employees, and each and all persons involved from any liability connected with the taking, recording, digitizing, or publication of interviews, photographs, computer images, video and/or or sound recordings. By entering the premises, you waive all rights you may have to any claims for payment or royalties in connection with any exhibition, streaming, webcasting, televising, or other publication of these materials, regardless of the purpose or sponsoring of such exhibiting, broadcasting, webcasting, or other publication irrespective of whether a fee for admission or sponsorship is charged. You also waive any right to inspect or approve any photo, video, or audio recording taken by HistoryMiami Museum (HMM) or the person or entity designated to do so by HistoryMiami Museum (HMM) You have been fully informed of your consent, waiver of liability, and release before entering the premise.