100 Years of Freedom
Miami Dade College is developing new museum galleries to mark the centennial of the iconic Freedom Tower and celebrate its pivotal role in Miami's history.
Best-in-class experience design will guide visitors through the Tower’s rich history—as home to both a newspaper and a refugee center. Guests will explore the many quests for freedom that have led generations to Miami and will have the opportunity to share their own stories, celebrating the Tower as a 21st-century beacon of hope, courage, and opportunity.
Major grants already received include $25 million in support of the capital project from the Florida Governor’s Office along with significant grants from the Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, Cultural Facilities, the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
MDC’s museum programs are made possible with support from the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners. The programs are also sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
An Outstanding Monument In The Heart Of Downtown
The Freedom Tower is a rare historic constant in a city continually remaking itself. Built in 1925 as the headquarters of The Miami News, it was one of Miami’s first skyscrapers—an architectural symbol of the city’s early ambition.
From 1962 to 1974, the building served as the Cuban Refugee Center, assisting hundreds of thousands of Cubans seeking asylum in the United States. These refugees would go on to reshape Miami. After decades of disrepair, the Freedom Tower was rescued by Cuban American community leaders aiming to honor the Cuban legacy in Miami, who donated it to Miami Dade College in 2005.
In 2008, the building was designated a National Historic Landmark. Since then, it has continued to serve as a hub for culture, education, and civic engagement—hosting the Miami Book Fair, Miami Film Festival, Live Arts Miami, and the Museum of Art and Design. The Freedom Tower stands as a tribute to the generations who built Miami and an inspiration for the city’s future. The story of the Freedom Tower is the story of Miami.
Restoring the Freedom Tower became a priority for Miami Dade College President Madeline Pumariega shortly after her appointment in 2020. Under her leadership, the MDC Board of Trustees successfully lobbied the Florida Governor’s Office for $25 million in financial support for the capital project. Prestigious awards from the National Endowment for the Humanities, National Trust for Historic Preservation, and Florida Department of State have also been granted. Reopening in 2025 for its centennial celebration, the new Freedom Tower galleries will inspire visitors through our shared history and our collective legacy of hope, courage, and the quest for opportunity and freedom.
In celebration of its centennial, the Freedom Tower will reopen in 2025 with newly reimagined galleries that explore its multifaceted history and enduring role in Miami’s story. From its inception as a home for The Miami Daily News to its current status as a global crossroads of culture, the Freedom Tower captures the past while helping shape the future.
The Freedom Tower is undergoing renovations and will reopen in 2025.
Opened on July 26, 1925, the Freedom Tower will turn 100 in 2025! Read more about the history of the Freedom Tower. Visit the History page on this site.
Yes, you can get involved by becoming a Friend of the Freedom Tower, sharing your story about what the Freedom Tower means to you, or by making a donation.
Your donation will help support new museum galleries occupying 36,700 square feet in the Freedom Tower. Best-in-class experience design will guide visitors through the building's rich history as both a newspaper headquarters and a refugee assistance center. Housed in the “Ellis Island of the South,” these technologically advanced exhibits will allow museum-goers to reflect upon the waves of exiles that have transformed our city.
Yes. Help us spread the word by following us on social media and sharing our posts with your own friends and followers. See icons in our footer below.
Please share your story and add to the record of the building’s history as a welcoming refuge (El Refugio) for people fleeing oppression. Visit the Tell Us Your Story page.
At the moment, we are not accepting donations to the museum. But we would love hear about what you have.
We are not hiring right now, but future job openings will be posted on the College’s Jobs at MDC web page.
Historical Timeline of the Freedom Tower
- 1925Construction of the Freedom Tower as the headquarters for The Miami News.
- 1960Served as the Cuban Refugee Center, processing and assisting Cuban immigrants.
- 1979Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- 2008Designated as a National Historic Landmark.
- 2015Hosted significant events, including political announcements and royal visits.
- 2022Received a $25 million investment for preservation and enhancement.
- 2025Reopens for its centennial celebration with newly curated exhibits exploring its history and Miami's legacy as a destination for those seeking freedom.
About Miami Dade college
Miami Dade College (MDC) has a proven track record of helping students overcome barriers to academic success. Beginning with 1,428 students in 1960, MDC now serves more than 120,000 students annually. With 68% of students coming from low-income households, MDC awards more associate degrees than any institution in the United States and the greatest number of associate degrees to Hispanic students.