Take a walk through Overtown’s history with this free photo exhibit

MIAMI — If you’re looking for a unique way to connect with Miami’s history this holiday season, a free photo exhibition at the Miami Riverside Center offers a glimpse into Overtown’s vibrant past.

“Sepia Vernacular: Overtown’s Photographic Journey, 1920-1950,” runs through Jan. 14, 2025, and features over 80 photographs that tell the story of daily life in Overtown, one of Miami’s oldest neighborhoods. Curated by the City of Miami Planning Department, the exhibit is a tribute to the community’s resilience and cultural significance.

For members of the Haitian diaspora, this exhibit may feel especially poignant. While Overtown’s demographics have evolved, its historical role as a cultural hub for Black communities, including Haitians and other Caribbean diaspora groups, mirrors the community-building efforts in neighborhoods like Little Haiti. After the 1960s, the neighborhood’s demographics began to shift, but a Haitian presence remains in the historic area once nicknamed “Colored Town” during the Jim Crow era.

The photographs, sourced from archival collections, showcase the neighborhood’s bustling streets, thriving businesses, and intimate family moments. Visitors will leave with a deeper appreciation of how Overtown helped shape Miami’s cultural identity.

Whether you’re a history enthusiast or someone curious about the roots of South Florida’s immigrant communities, Sepia Vernacular offers something for everyone.

The exhibit is free and open to the public. Visit the Miami Riverside Center lobby at 444 SW 2nd Ave to experience this walk-through history. For more information, visit the City of Miami’s website or call 311.

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