Virginia Key Beach Museum & Park Programs

Support Virginia Key Beach Park on Give Miami Day: 

Building Our Museum, Preserving Our Legacy...

For generations, Historic Virginia Key Beach Park has been a sanctuary and gathering space that echoes the voices of Miami's Black community and the cultural richness they fought for. Since its establishment in 1945, born out of the courageous “wade-in” protest led by Judge Thomas, Virginia Key Beach became a haven for families, a stage for celebration, and a beacon of resilience. This beach was the only place where people of color could enjoy the sun and sea—unifying people from diverse backgrounds across Miami. Despite its closure in 1982, this sacred space continued to call out to our hearts.

Today, the Virginia Key Beach Park Trust is honored to carry forth this legacy as we embark on the long-anticipated museum project, a tribute to the community’s tenacity and vibrant spirit. With the recent approval of our museum’s business plan, we are one step closer to building a place where we can share the stories of activism, celebration, and connection that define Virginia Key. Here, the museum will bring to life the courageous struggle that made Virginia Key Beach a reality, celebrate the jubilant memories shared by thousands, and honor the profound connections between people and this space, from its founding to the present.

We need your help to realize this vision. On Give Miami Day, your support will propel us forward to fulfill this promise, creating a space that celebrates our past, educates future generations, and fosters a spirit of unity and remembrance. Please join us in building a place where every wave and palm will continue to echo the resilience, beauty, and history of Black Miamians. Let’s make history together—preserving this beloved space for all to experience and cherish.

Donate on Give Miami Day, and be part of a legacy that celebrates, inspires, and unites.