Experience the Legacy of Charles Deering at the Deering Estate in Miami, FL

A well-preserved example of Miami in the Roaring Twenties this home of Charles Deering, a Chicago industrialist, preservationist, environmentalist,  art collector,  and philanthropist is both a museum and an ecological gem.

Charles Deering’s father, William founded the agricultural machinery company Deering Harvester, which became International Harvester.

Charles family had been wintering in Florida in the 1890s around St Augustine and later Miami.

His successful stewardship as chairman of the family firm left him with the means and leisure lifestyle to enjoy his interest in arts and natural sciences.

The historic Richmond Cottage which was originally built as a family home at the end of the 19th century, when the town of Cutler was a Pioneer town.

In the early 1900s the home was converted into a 22 room hotel and was the most southernly hotel on the mainland of the United States.

Charles Deering bought the Richmond Cottage in 1916 and over the years he added different structures to the estate including a carriage house, pump and power house,  including closing the estate with a limestone and concrete wall and then built the Boat Basin which became Biscayne Bay.

In 1922 he completed his three-story Mediterranean Stone Mansion where he housed his art collection of Rembrandt’s, Goya and Del Grecos.

Charles died at his coastal 444 Acre estate in 1927 and it remained with his heirs until the 1980’s, when it was purchased by the State of Florida that operates the property today.

The large boat basin where Charles kept his yachts has now been taken over by manatees.

Throughout the year the estate hosts a variety of events from art exhibits and concerts, to educational workshops, nature tours and weddings.

The estate offers everything from canoe tours, bird walks, to Moonlight kayaking, hiking, nature trails eco-tours and more.

It’s also home to an estimated 170 resident migratory bird species.

It’s a great spot for a picnic and bring your binoculars for the birds.

Open 10:00  to 5:00 everyday except Thanksgiving and Christmas.   Free parking,   Admission is $15 per adult and $10 for children.