“A grand globe, you say?” a woman in a wide-brimmed hat inquired, fanning herself with a brochure. “Right here in Miami City Hall?” We stand before the stately edifice, a Miami landmark since its transformation from a bustling Pan Am terminal in 1954. But long before it housed city council meetings and bureaucratic offices, Miami City Hall was a portal to another world – a world of luxurious flying boats and transatlantic adventures. Designed by the renowned William Adams Delano, this building was the epitome of Art Deco glamour. Ceiling panels boast the signs of the zodiac, a testament to the adventurous spirit of the golden age of aviation. Look closely, and you’ll spot restored murals depicting milestones in flight, from Da Vinci’s early sketches to the sleek Pan Am Clippers that once graced these waters. And yes, that grand globe the woman asked about? It did indeed reside here, a silent witness to the comings and goings of international travelers. Now, it awaits its return from the Frost Museum of Science, a tangible reminder of a time when Miami City Hall embodied the dreams of flight and the allure of far-off destinations.
Glenn Hubert Library
What secrets lie hidden within the walls of a university library? Right here in North Miami, the Glenn Hubert Library