Freedom Tower to celebrate its centennial with four exhibitions

Written by Abraham Galvan on September 10, 2025

Following a two-year, multi-million-dollar restoration, Miami Dade College is set to host a ceremonial ribbon cutting to celebrate the reopening of The National Historic Landmark Freedom Tower.

The Freedom Tower at 600 Biscayne Blvd. has been meticulously restored and reimagined as a cultural hub featuring new, immersive exhibitions that highlight Miami’s immigrant legacy, global identity, and creative spirit, according to MDC officials.

Exhibitions to be debuted include:

■Libertad: This permanent exhibition spans the first and second floors of the Freedom Tower, immersing visitors in Miami’s story as a city built by waves of resilience and opportunity. Through cutting-edge digital installations, community testimonials and historic artifacts, “Libertad” captures the journeys of those who found refuge and began new lives.

■Languages of Migration: Housed within the Kislak Center, this exhibition explores the evolution of communication, migration and identity across time and place. Drawing from the Kislak Collection, donated by the Kislak Family Foundation, “Languages of Migration” pairs rare ancient and colonial works with contemporary art.

■We Carry Our Homes With Us: On view through Jan. 11, 2026, the temporary exhibition complements both “Libertad” and “Languages of Migration,” delving into universal themes of migration, exile and home through thought-provoking contemporary works of art. The exhibit is inspired by Marisella Veiga’s memoir “We Carry Our Homes With Us,” which recounts her own journey to Miami as a Cuban exile through the Freedom Tower, adding a personal dimension to the narrative.

■Unidad: The first US exhibition created in partnership with the FIFA Museum is an interactive exhibition that celebrates soccer as a universal language and unifying cultural force. Presented in partnership with MDC, the exhibition connects the passion for soccer to Miami’s vibrant cultural tapestry, underscoring the city’s unique role as a crossroads of cultures and traditions.

In July, The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation donated $5 million to go toward the National Historic Landmark Freedom Tower. Knight Foundation’s new $5 million investment builds on its commitment to Miami Dade College, bringing its total support to more than $16 million in recent years. This includes a $7 million grant in 2021 that helped establish the nation’s first associate degree in applied artificial intelligence.

In January, MDC also launched a 33-member National Historic Landmark Freedom Centennial Committee representing South Florida’s cultural arts community. Members include Miami music icons Gloria and Emilio Estefan, and Willy Chirino. The campaign raised funds within six months to ensure the exhibits that preserves the history of the building.

With a $25 million investment from the state, the Freedom Tower underwent significant renovations. The capital project is addressing deferred maintenance, structural repairs and life safety upgrades. Designed by Schultze & Weaver and built in 1925 as the home of the city’s oldest newspaper, the Miami News, the tower became an emblem of the American dream for those seeking freedom and opportunity.

From 1962 to 1974, the building served as the Cuban Refugee Assistance Center, providing crucial aid for hundreds of thousands of Cuban exiles fleeing political persecution. Following decades of neglect, the building was rescued by Cuban American community leaders seeking to honor Miami’s Cuban legacy and was donated to the college in 2005. The college then restored the Freedom Tower and obtained its National Historic Landmark designation in 2008.

The Freedom Tower’s centennial represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to restore its iconic Mediterranean Revival architecture while launching a new chapter as a vibrant civic and cultural hub, said Madeline Pumariega, the college’s president. “The Freedom Tower will continue to serve as a beacon of civic memory, cultural expression and community pride for the next 100 years.”

Details: mdc.edu/freedomtower.