City Staff Tours

Our goal: For every city employee to be able to say, "I've been to the Merrick House; I know my city's history!"

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Sept. 13, 2024 – Greenspace Management

Deena Bell, Assistant Director, Public Works

100 Voices

Miracle Mile: Evolution of a Street (Feb. 2, 2025) 

George Merrick's business section – officially named Miracle Mile in 1955 – has certainly seen its share of changes in 100 years. Miami native Toby Muir shared its history accompanied by vintage visuals. Attendees learned more about the "Father of Miracle Mile" George Zain and "Mr. Miracle Mile" Albert Friedman. Long-time business owners shared their origin stories as well as interesting tidbits about famous customers and wild characters. Panelists included Carlos Bolado of Bolado Clothiers, Carole Boutillier of Rudma Picture, Jill and Bruce Hornik of Jae's Jewelers, Mary Ann Hull of Murnor Studio, Mitchell Kaplan of Books & Books, Judy and Eddie Snow of Snow's Jewelers, and Barbara and Larry Stein of Actors' Playhouse.

Our Sister Cities (Oct. 27, 2024) 

Following in Merrick's footsteps, Coral Gables leaders have envisioned our city as a hub of international commerce and culture. Don Slesnick (Mayor 2001-2011) reflected on the Sister City program, which partners with municipalities that share our love of history, performance art and fine cuisine. While serving as mayor, Don led and received delegations from La Antigua, Cartagena, Aix-en-Provence, Granada and Pisa.

A Coach – A Counselor – A Career (Sept. 22, 2024)

Coral Gables High School legend Dan Finora has said that he found Camelot when he arrived in the city in 1955. The UM grad was hired for his "one and only job" in 1959. An earlier two-year stint in the military taught him the discipline that he would instill in his students for the next 65 years. Respected and beloved, this coach, counselor and – according to former students – "typing teacher from Heck" reminisced on a life well spent in the city he loves.

A Pool Like No Other (May 5, 2024)

Denman Fink's favorite creation, Venetian Pool & Casino provided much more than a cool respite from tropical heat. This former rock pit-turned-swimming lake was the first stop for prospective buyers on George Merrick's tour buses as he welcomed visitors to the  "Miami Riviera." It has hosted famous orators, popular orchestras, accomplished athletes, movie stars, beauty queens, mermaids and an aqua tot! At age 19, Carolina Vester, Community Recreation Deputy Director, started her career with the City of Coral Gables as a lifeguard at this unique venue -- the only pool listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Our resident expert shared fascinating facts, tales and tidbits of the pool like no other.

Life is an Adventure: William Lucien Keen's Nine Decades in Miami (April 7, 2024)

Third-generation Floridian William Lucien Keen has witnessed a change or two during his nine decades in Miami. One week shy of his 94th birthday, he shared tales of Seminoles, wilderness treks, boat building, love letters, Miami High/Edison school rivalries, fire fighting and police work--including one rather remarkable rescue.

Dorothy Thomson (Feb. 10, 2024)

Just as Althea Merrick was ahead of her time, Dorothy Thomson created new pathways in Coral Gables politics when she was elected to the City Commission in 1979. Forty-five years later, she is still the only woman elected Coral Gables mayor in the city's nearly 100-year history. Dorothy will share her stories and memorabilia from an era when female voices were just beginning to gain acceptance and respect.

Preservation Station: Notable Places and People (Nov. 12, 2023)

Dona Spain held many posts at City Hall but her true love was for historic properties. She describes favorite features of Merrick cottages and recounts tales of the fascinating historical figures she came to know during her 22+ years with the city.

Friends & Family: Merrick Connection in Our Midst (Oct. 22, 2023)

Journalist Helen Muir wrote "The Biltmore: Beacon for Miami" based on her coverage of the hotel, which began with a story in 1935. Her son, Toby Muir, reflects on his mother’s life in Miami and friendships with Marjory Stoneman Douglas, Eunice Peacock Merrick and Richard Merrick, George’s brother. Introduction by Gay Bondurant, Merrick House docent coordinator, who tells a "Gables Fable" about the Muirs.

Preserve & Protect: The Early Days of Saving Places (Sept. 17, 2023)

As the City’s first director of historic preservation, Ellen Uguccioni crafted the cottage ordinance, brought back the Biltmore, and further defined the unique look of Coral Gables. This prolific speaker and author shares anecdotes of her adventures in city stewardship.

A Woman of Substance: Julia Ward Howe (May 7, 2023)

Known for writing the “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” author and poet Julia Ward Howe penned the original 1870 pacifist Mother's Day Proclamation in which she called on mothers to demand world peace and envisioned a Mother’s Day for that purpose. Ward Howe descendant Lawrence “Monk” Terry describes the writings, social activism and legacy of this dynamo, who co-founded the Association for the Advancement of Women.

Some Moor History (Feb. 12, 2023)

Completely enamored by the romanticism of Spanish culture, George Merrick wrapped his dreams of building a city with images of seductive Moorish architecture, spiced with the patina of a history lasting nearly 800 years on the Iberian Peninsula. His magical visions of the Alhambra palace culminated in selecting "Castles in Spain" as the design inspiration for Coral Gables. Brett Gillis, Ziyad Mneimneh and Sadia Raja travel through time highlighting the history of the Moors and their vast influence on Spanish culture and Coral Gables. Presented in collaboration with The Coral Gables Tertulia of the Historic Preservation Association of Coral Gables (HPACG.)

School Days: Tales from In and Out the Classroom (Nov. 6, 2022)

Gablelites Gay Bondurant, Lon Dowlen, Petsy Mezey and June Morris recall the halls of their grade, middle and high schools, as well as what was done for fun before playdates were a thing.

A George of All Trades: The Merricks and the Miami Postal Service (Oct. 2, 2022)

Long-serving Merrick House docent Juan Riera, an avid postcard and stamp collector, shares engaging anecdotes about the early days of the post office for which both George and Charles Merrick worked.

Althea's Garden Brigade

An informal gathering of friends and neighbors of the Merrick House who show up with gloves, clippers and buckets in hand on the first Saturday of the month.

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A Proper Garden Tea 2024

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A Proper Garden Tea 2022