Preparing for a Field Study - vizcaya.orgvizcaya.org/library/visiting-vizcaya-4-8.pdf · Visiting Vizcaya . What is a field study? Why prepare for a field study? For Teacher:\爀吀漀
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Visiting Vizcaya Preparing for a Field Study All rights reserved. All content (text, images and otherwise) in this document is proprietary to Vizcaya Museum and Gardens or used consistent with the owner’s permission, applicable law or regulation. You may use this content for educational purposes only. You may not use this content for commercial purposes or personal gain without the written permission of Vizcaya Museum and Gardens.
All rights reserved. All content (text, images and otherwise) in this document is proprietary to Vizcaya Museum and Gardens or used consistent with the owner’s permission, applicable law or regulation. You may use this content for educational purposes only. You may not use this content for commercial purposes or personal gain without the written permission of Vizcaya Museum and Gardens.
For Teachers: The red ‘A’ marks the location of Vizcaya Museum and Gardens (between Downtown Miami and Coconut Grove along Biscayne Bay). As students identify areas, point to them on the map. Point out areas that contain other local landmarks students might recall from previous field studies or projects. For Students: 1. Where is our school on the map? 2. What neighborhoods will we travel through to get to Vizcaya? 3. What can we learn, or what do we know, about Vizcaya’s location by looking at the map?
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is: • A place where significant historical events occurred • A place where prominent Americans worked or lived • A place that represents ideas that provide information about our past • A place that is an outstanding example of design or construction
James Deering was a businessman who built Vizcaya. Originally, Vizcaya was Mr. Deering’s private, winter home. This photograph shows him about 58 years old at Vizcaya.
James Deering, c. 1917
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For Teachers: Though Vizcaya is publicly owned and operated as a museum today, a goal of the field study is to emphasize that in the past, Vizcaya was a private home, owned by one person. For Students: James Deering lived and worked in Chicago and spent winter seasons at Vizcaya from 1916 until 1925, when he died. Why might James Deering have decided to build a house in Miami? Image: Vizcaya Museum and Gardens Archives.
Vizcaya As A Museum
After his death, his family wanted others to be able to enjoy Vizcaya, so most of the estate was given to Miami-Dade County to care for and operate as a public museum.
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For Teachers: Allow students to read the text on the slide before posing the question. For Students: 1. Why might a family choose to make their home a public place? Image: Vizcaya Museum and Gardens.
Museums & Learning
What is a museum? A museum collects, preserves and interprets objects, and is open to the public for purposes of education and enjoyment.
• Construction began on the Main House in 1914 and Mr. Deering moved in on December 25, 1916.
• The gardens took longer to complete and were not finished until 1922.
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For Teachers: Vizcaya’s Main House was built between 1914 and 1916. The gardens were completed in 1922. For Students: Construction of Vizcaya began almost 100 years ago. 1. What else was happening about 100 years ago in the United States? 2. What else was happening about 100 years ago in Miami? Images: Vizcaya Museum and Gardens Archives.
Vizcaya’s Design
Vizcaya is a combination of European and American ideas and design. Vizcaya was inspired by the style of an Italian country villa, but it is built right along Biscayne Bay using many local materials, which makes Vizcaya American.
You can help preserve Vizcaya and its collections, by following these guidelines: • Visitors may not touch objects inside or outside • Backpacks are not allowed in the Main House (leave
them at school) • Food and drinks (including gum) are not allowed in the
Main House • Photography and video are permitted outside only
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For Teachers: There are specific guidelines for visitors while in the Main House and gardens. These are available online (http://www.vizcaya.org/library/chaperone-guidelines.pdf) and upon arrival. Please share these with the chaperones as well. Review any guidelines students did not share or that need clarification. Please be aware that invisible dirt and oils on hands can damage objects over time, and that food or drink can have the same effect, while also attracting insects. The challenge of a museum is to preserve objects for a very long time. For Students: By following these guidelines we can help to preserve Vizcaya’s estate and collections. 1. Why do museums request visitors not to touch the objects? 2. Why don’t museums permit food and drink inside?
