OUR MISSION
PRESERVE THE HISTORY
OF SOUTH DADE &
TO IGNITE ITS
ECONOMIC VIBRANCE
THE HISTORY
In 1949 Captain Frank Crawford Martin was a trail blazer. He envisioned and developed Richmond Heights as a self sufficient "little town" that would have all of the amenities that a family could desire. You see Capt. Martin was White and to build a community specifically for Black veterans was a bit of a leap for 1949. He did this as a good sound business decision. He did not have a desire to be the creator of social change…but he did. He orchestrated many firsts for Blacks.
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It was all thanks to the Black Sky Caps that worked at Pan American Airlines in 1949. These men were also World War II veterans and were in search of homes for their family. They knew that Pan American Airlines co-worker Captain Martin was the owner of acreage in an undeveloped area of South Dade County. They urged him to build homes for them. This land is now known as Richmond Heights. The historic society provides the vehicle to harness their truths - to validate each experience and to document their story.
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Our commitment to preservation and celebrating the pioneers of Richmond Heights has branched to focus on South Dade as a whole. This rich history of South Dade encompasses additional communities such as Perrine, Coconut Grove, Goulds, Homestead, and Florida City.
OUR MISSION
The Historic Society exists to collect, preserve, and disseminate the rich history of Black South Floridians. Our mission is twofold:
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Preservation & Education: We are committed to preserving materials and stories that reflect the lived experiences, contributions, and resilience of Black communities across South Florida. By sharing this history—especially within underserved neighborhoods—we aim to inspire, nurture, and instill a resilient spirit for life and legacy.
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Economic & Cultural Empowerment: Through curated cultural events and heritage programming, we seek to ignite economic vibrance in South Dade and beyond, elevating the visibility and viability of Black communities.
As part of this commitment, The Historic Society proudly serves as the fiscal agent for the Patricia Ann Harper Garrett Educational Scholarship Fund. This vital program honors the legacy of our co-founder, Patricia Harper Garrett. A trailblazing educator, public servant, and community leader. By investing directly into the next generation of learners and leaders the scholarship reflects our belief that knowledge is not only a tool for personal advancement—but a cornerstone of cultural preservation and generational uplift.
