MIAMI — The iconic Freedom Tower, a historic 14-story structure that has served as a beacon of hope for Cuban refugees, is set to reopen next month as a museum dedicated to the history and experiences of Cuban exiles.
Once Miami’s tallest building, the Freedom Tower welcomed hundreds of thousands of Cubans fleeing the authoritarian regime of Fidel Castro from 1962 to 1974, providing essential services such as medical care, English classes, and comfort kits that included peanut butter, a novelty for many of the new arrivals.
The $65 million renovation, spearheaded by Miami Dade College, comes at a time when the political landscape for Cuban Americans is shifting.
In the last presidential election, Cuban Americans, who play a dominant role in Miami’s politics, largely supported President Donald Trump.
However, his strict immigration policies, affecting Cubans among other groups, have left some questioning that loyalty.
Protests against Trump have occurred outside the Freedom Tower, which has long stood as a symbol of hope for many.
Rene Ramos, the head archivist at Miami Dade College, emphasized the cyclical nature of attitudes toward immigration in the United States.
“This country has had moments where it clearly saw the value of immigrants and other moments when it did not.
What we’re doing here is reminding people what immigrants can accomplish when they’re given the opportunity,” Ramos stated.
Designed by the New York architectural firm Schultze & Weaver in the Spanish Revival style, the Freedom Tower opened in 1925 as the headquarters for the Miami Daily News.
It was officially renamed the Freedom Tower following the launch of the Cuban Refugee Assistance Program by President John F. Kennedy, aimed at resettling Cuban families seeking to escape the oppressive regime.
Nearly 400,000 Cubans sought assistance at the tower, where the U.S. government collaborated with the newly established Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Miami.
By 1971, the total cost of this refugee assistance had exceeded $730 million, equating to nearly $6 billion today.
Affectionately referred to as “El Refugio,” or “The Refuge” by Spanish-speaking migrants, the Freedom Tower served as a critical source of vaccination, employment assistance, and financial support for families, who were provided about $120 per month.
The Grand Hall of the tower featured the Pizarra de la Suerte — the Bulletin Board of Good Luck — where job opportunities were posted to help newcomers adjust to life in the U.S.
During that period, Miami was still a small tropical tourist destination, with a population under 1 million.
Many Cuban émigrés initially settled in other parts of the United States.
Madeline Pumariega, the president of Miami Dade College, pointed out that many exiles left Miami not for the weather but rather the lack of jobs available.
However, over time, these refugees would return to establish their roots in Miami, transforming it into a vibrant cultural and economic hub.
Jorge Malagón, a history professor at Miami Dade College, recounted his own journey as a child who arrived in Miami via a “Freedom Flight” paid for by the U.S. government.
He shared memories of the hardships faced during that time, recalling how Cuban customs officials tore into his teddy bear searching for hidden valuables upon his departure from Cuba.
The unique experience of being greeted with a bar of peanut butter and a block of government cheese still evokes strong emotions for Malagón, who stated, “To this day, a grilled cheese sandwich with cheap, Velveeta processed cheese is still comfort food to me.”
Despite being overshadowed by a rapidly developing skyline, the Freedom Tower remains a symbol of hope and history for the Cuban community.
In 1997, the tower was saved from neglect by Cuban American businessman Jorge Mas Canosa, a notable opponent of Castro.
The tower changed hands, eventually being donated to Miami Dade College.
Even in its dilapidated state, it became a site of remembrance, with significant events hosted there, including tributes to performing artist Celia Cruz and political announcements, including one by Marco Rubio, a U.S. senator whose parents migrated from Cuba.
The current restoration project received $25 million from the state of Florida, supplemented by funding from Miami Dade College, private donors, and federal grants.
The museum will feature galleries designed by the same firm responsible for the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York City.
Exhibits will detail the journey of Cuban Americans to freedom, including sections dedicated to the Victims of Communism, the 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion organized by the CIA, and Operation Peter Pan, which saw thousands of unaccompanied minors arriving in the U.S.
Giant screens will display footage of protests and acts of courage from newer immigrants fleeing persecution from countries such as Venezuela, Haiti, and Nicaragua.
The museum will also include a recording studio for visitors who passed through the Freedom Tower, allowing them to contribute their oral histories to a collection boasting over 300 interviews, featuring notable Cuban figures such as singer Gloria Estefan.
As visitors transition from narratives of struggle to the celebratory culture of modern Miami, the final gallery will be alive with vibrant colors, music, and the essence of the city today.
Pumariega concluded by stating, “Miami and the world would not be what it is today without them.
The contributions that immigrants have made to our country are invaluable and will continue to shape our future.”
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