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What is a Historical Survey?

Historic resources are districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects that are significant in American history, architecture, archeology, engineering and culture.  The Brownsville Historic Resources Survey will consider certain areas of Brownsville as a district, and will also look at individual sites and buildings.  Brownsville is being considered for its historical significance in the areas of Community Development, Architecture, Black History, Social and Humanitarian History, and African-American culture.

 

A Historic Resource Survey is a systematic method of documenting historic resources through fieldwork and research.  Each historic resource is documented with photographs, maps, and a written description on a form.  Undertaking a survey to identify historic resources acknowledges that these resources have value to the community and future generations.  Historic resources provide character, continuity and a sense of uniqueness to the community.  The survey process is important because it results in the identification of historic resources and helps determine which of those resources should be preserved.  A Historic Survey can be an important tool in shaping local ordinances, zoning, and planning for the future of a neighborhood.

About the Survey

The Brownsville Historic Survey was made possible through the sustained efforts of the Brownsville Civic Neighborhood Association (BCNA) and Dade Heritage Trust, in particular the efforts of Dr. Enid Pinkney, Kenneth Kilpatrick, and Christine Rupp.

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Our Collaborators

Plusurbia was selected as the historic preservation consultant to complete the Brownsville Historic Survey.  Plusurbia is working closely with local partners including Florida International University, the Historic Hampton House, the Brownsville Civic Neighborhood Association, the Black Archives, the Miami-Dade County Office of Historic Preservation, and others in order to gather information about the neighborhood and involve the community in the Historic Survey process.

Funding

Funding for the Brownsville Historic Survey comes from the National Park Service and from Dade Heritage Trust. The National Park Service (NPS) provides African American Civil Rights Historic Preservation Fund grants for projects that will preserve sites and history related to the African American struggle for equality in the 20th century. Dade Heritage Trust is Miami-Dade County’s largest preservation organization, founded in 1972.  The mission of Dade Heritage Trust is to preserve Miami-Dade County’s architectural, environmental, and cultural heritage through preservation, education and advocacy efforts.

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