Hello Curtiss Mansion Friends:
This summer has been anything but quiet here at Curtiss Mansion. We have been actively making improvements gearing up for the high season in Miami.
Camp Invention had over 70 students this year and as always the children had a wonderful experience. People are even asking for longer camps – we may need to consider that next year! Much thanks to Cari Martinez for Directing Camp again and her eager and professional team. You guys were fantastic!
The back of the Mansion has been undergoing quite a resurgence. The BBQ has been paved and trellis and new plantings have gone in. Paving was made possible by an anonymous donor and plantings primarily by Anchor Club/Miami Springs Senior High. Special thank you to Roy Rodriguez and Richard Wheeler for helping bring this into fruition. And of course Ben & Ryan – – see in body of newsletter.
Our new courtyard extension over the primary backyard space is almost completed. Donor funds made this all possible. Special thanks to Tom Nash, Charlie Leonard, Sherry & Tony Feijoo,
Robert Quintero, Ulises Fernandez and Councilman Jaime Petralanda for spearheading this project with assistance from Miami Springs with some additional fill, drawings and permitting assistance. This courtyard will be dedicated to the Memory of Lisa Nash in the near future.
The hope with this addition is that larger events can be brought in. The square footage will accommodate the largest tents. The finish will be stained to match our existing courtyard in the coming days.
Come September and October – the lighting in front will finally be installed. This is being made possible by the City of Miami Springs and we are so incredibly grateful. THANK YOU!
In between all of this we managed to host another successful ShakesFest Directed by Springs own Actor/Director/CMI Docent Extraordinaire, Sam Chesser.
Several students were here this summer working for service hours: Ryan from Miami Springs Senor High helped out in just about everything one can imagine – in between football practice. Additional Anchor Club Members worked on the BBQ project, Angelique from DASH archived and Elizabeth, also from MSSH, worked on improving the Butterfly Garden. Elizabeth's mother, Jill, even pitched in and donated additional plants.
That's what it takes – people who care and jump right in. It really does take a team. The upkeep of a facility like this is endless. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you are interested in donating time – whether you are a student, senior, want to give tours in English or have another language to offer. Whatever your specialty! We can always use more help in various areas – so if you find yourself with some free time and want to make a difference at a historic site – please consider us.
As I write this – it is a quiet Saturday afternoon. I find myself reflecting on this morning when 26 people showed up for a tour. Half of them needed a Spanish speaking tour guide. We only have one tour guide at the moment that is Bilingual (Spanish Speaking) and although marvelous he cannot always be here. Thank you Jorge !
I started here barely 2.5 years ago and claimed I wanted
Glenn Curtiss to be a household name at least in Dade County within 5 years. Days like today make me feel like we really are getting to that point. We started giving Saturday historic tours two years ago in May and felt lucky if 3 people showed up. We have really come a long way.
Although we still are facing some big ticket items like sprinklers, additional electrical and a few other maintenance items, June-October of 2019 will definitely prove to have made some major turning points for Curtiss Mansion's transition.
I am planning a trip to Hammondsport, NY in September to visit the hometown of Mr. Curtiss and the Curtiss Museum. It is a first for me so am really looking forward to that along with their Wings and Wheels Event in the area that weekend.
Keep an eye for public events starting up in November with the Wolfson coming again for a visit back in time for Aviation Month on November 14th. We are also co-hosting with our Miami Springs Senior Center a Musical performance of New World Symphony here at the Mansion on November 12th. Both events will be FREE to the public
When is the last time you came for a visit? Have you seen our beautiful Antique filled gift shop? What are you waiting for ??
See you soon.
Melinda Jester,
Executive Director
