Opinion: Keep The Permanent Merrick Exhibit At The Coral Gables Museum

On behalf of the Historic Preservation Association of Coral Gables, please accept this letter in support of keeping the permanent Merrick exhibit, “Creating the Dream; George E. Merrick and his Vision for Coral Gables,” in its physical space as per the original understanding at the time the Coral Gables Museum was created. 

The announcement about the physical closing of the Merrick permanent exhibit came as a surprise to the community.  

The permanent Merrick exhibit, “a forever exhibit,” as it was referred to by the late Arva Moore Parks, who created the exhibit to honor the founding of our city, and remained its curator until her death in 2020, is being closed without open public participation. The gallery space, a naming gift in support of the Museum’s mission as a historic and cultural institution, honors Betty & L.D. Pankey. [Dr. Pankey was one of the first dentists to establish a practice in Coral Gables circa 1925.]

From a 2010 media clipping announcing the opening of the new museum, the residents were assured that the Merrick exhibit would be permanent as per the statement: “…a temporary Coral Gables Museum, and a ‘preview’ exhibit known as Celebrate [“Creating A Dream”] open each Wednesday. This exhibit is moving to its permanent location, the original 1939 WPA Coral Gables Police and Fire Station, a federally designated historic building.”  Additionally, a statement from the Museum’s immediate past executive director, underscores the genesis of the exhibit: “We have one permanent exhibit that is always on display…the story of the building of Coral Gables, of George Merrick and his family.”   

“Creating the Dream” exhibit was the principle building block when public funds were appropriated for a new museum.  

Adding a virtual component is appropriate and we commend the museum professionals for introducing the idea, but it should complement the physical Merrick collection not replace it. On the contrary, as the 100th anniversary of the founding of the city looms, tangible proof of its beginnings should be embraced and enhanced.

Although the collection has been on display since 2011 and the condition of some historical artifacts may need to be assessed for conservation work, the assessment work should be done in situ before any objects are to be removed. A local expert in managing museum artifacts observes, “If an object is stable, we can keep it on view and typically request conservators to come and make assessments on site…If conservation work moves forward, paperwork must be prepared that documents the chain of custody, as well as condition reports of the object when it leaves and when it comes back.”

The Museum is a community gem.  An institution “promoting…historic and environmental preservation…A true public/private partnership between the City of Coral Gables and the Coral Gables Museum Corp…Operating as an educational cultural institution within a city owned facility.” [Excerpt Coral Gables Museum Mission Statement] 

The Museum is partially funded by the taxpayer, at approximately a quarter of a million dollars annually. Any major decision that affects a change to its original purpose and founding cornerstone should warrant public participation.  

The Coral Gables Museum is home to our city’s history and collective cultural patrimony. It serves as the cornerstone of the city’s founding, a repository of memories that foster cultural and educational objectives.  “Creating the Dream; George E. Merrick and his Vision for Coral Gables,” must always be on display in its physical state as a testament to our city’s endurance.

The Historic Preservation Association of Coral Gables promotes the understanding and the importance of historic resources and their preservation in Coral Gables. We ask the City Commission to stay true to its public/private partnership and support keeping the permanent Merrick exhibit “Creating the Dream; George E. Merrick and his Vision for Coral Gables” in situ as per its original understanding.