Arva Moore Parks, noted South Florida historian and acting director and chief curator of the new Coral Gables Museum in Downtown Coral Gables, is the luncheon speaker for the Mar. 14 meeting of the New Neighbors Club of South Dade.
Parks has been a member of the museum’s board since 2004 and currently serves as curator of the first exhibit, “Creating the Dream: George Merrick and his Vision for Coral Gables.” As chair of the city’s Historic Preservation Board, she led the effort for the city to purchase the Coral Gables Merrick House and to begin restoration of the Biltmore Hotel.
A lifelong Miami resident, Arva Moore Parks graduated from the University of Florida in 1960 and earned a master’s degree from the University of Miami in 1971. A former history teacher she is the author of more than a half-dozen books on South Florida, including Miami, the Magic City.
She has produced films on Miami and Coconut Grove, and has received several honors, including an Emmy from the Florida Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. In addition to the service on a number of civic boards and committees, Parks chaired the Florida Endowment for the Humanities in 1982-83.
The luncheon and program are on Wednesday, Mar. 14, 11 a.m., at the Coral Gables Country Club, 997 N. Greenway Dr. Everyone is invited to join New Neighbors for an interesting and informative afternoon. Cost of the luncheon is $25 and reservations are required. Deadline for reservations is Thursday, Mar. 8. To reserve, call Rita Casagrande 305-598-0213.
