The American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) recently announced that HistoryMiami is the recipient of a 2013 Award of Merit and a 2013 History in Progress (HIP) Award from the AASLH Leadership in History Awards Committee, for “The Guayabera: A Shirt’s Story” exhibition.
The AASLH Leadership in History Awards, now in its 67th year, is the most prestigious recognition for achievement in the preservation and interpretation of state and local history.
“HistoryMiami, through the South Florida Folklife Center, has a long history of studying, identifying and celebrating traditional cultural expressions,” said Ramiro A. Ortiz, HistoryMiami president and CEO. “We are honored that the AASLH has chosen to recognize our work in this field.”
“The Guayabera: A Shirt’s Story” was a 1,000-square-foot exhibition on view from June 28, 2012 to Jan. 13, 2013, that provided an overview of the guayabera’s history, one that traced the garment’s journey through Cuba, Mexico and the United States, from humble beginnings to fashion phenomenon.
“Given our predominantly Hispanic population, the guayabera is of notable cultural significance in South Florida,” said Joanne Hyppolite, HistoryMiami chief curator. “With this exhibition, we hoped to engage this population and expose others to this popular tradition.”
The exhibition sponsored by Cubavera, a wholly owned subsidiary of Perry Ellis International and the National Endowment for the Arts, included 19th, 20th, and 21st Century examples of the shirt that highlighted its changing uses and significance over time, its construction and the tailors, fashion designers and tradition bearers who have played an important role in its stylistic development.
“Our guayabera project involved original research, artifact collection, and the creation of various educational products and programs,” said Michael Knoll, HistoryMiami folklorist and curator. “Altogether, we feel successful in increasing knowledge of the shirt and its history, and in making a positive impact on the community we serve.”
AASLH bestows Leadership in History Awards to establish and encourage standards of excellence in the collection, preservation, and interpretation of state and local history in order to make the past more meaningful to all Americans. The Leadership in History Awards is the most prestigious recognition for achievement in the preservation and interpretation of history and brings public recognition to small and large organizations, institutions, and programs that make contributions in this arena.
The Award of Merit recognizes excellence for projects (including civic engagement, exhibits, multimedia, preservation projects, publications, public programming, and special projects), individual achievement, and general organizational excellence. The HIP Award, given at the discretion of the Leadership in History awards committee, is an additional award for an Award of Merit winner whose nomination is highly inspirational, exhibits exceptional scholarship, and/or is exceedingly entrepreneurial in terms of funding, partnerships, or collaborations, creative problem solving, or unusual project design and inclusiveness. Only 5 percent or less of the total number of Award of Merit winners are eligible for the HIPAward.
Located at 101 W. Flagler St. in downtown Miami, HistoryMiami is open Tuesday- Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Admission is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors and students with ID, $5 for children ages 6-12, and free for children under the age of 6. Parking is available at the Miami-Dade Cultural Center Parking Garage, 50 NW Second Ave.
Learn more about HistoryMiami at www.historymiami.org
