Curtiss Mansion

The Glenn H. Curtiss Mansion and Gardens, located at 500 Deer Run in Miami Springs, Florida, is a historic mansion that is available to the public as an event venue or for private visits by prior appointment. Martin Luther Hampton, one of Miami's most famous architects during the 1920s, designed the Curtiss Mansion. The old Miami Beach City Hall and the Congress Building in downtown Miami are among his designs. The beautiful tropical landscape included large lawns, an abundance of tropical plants, flowers, and trees, as well as bamboo clusters and ponds. Mr. Curtiss created them with the help of a personal friend and partner, famous botanist David Fairchild. The main pond has two manicured oolitic limestone islands that are still a refuge for tropical water fowl.

Curtiss made two further adjustments after the mansion was finished to meet his demands. First, the garage was expanded four feet to accommodate the increased length of his cars, which included elements he developed himself and that were kept in the remodeling. Second, a separate enclosed staircase was constructed so he could reach his second floor private office/workroom without having to use the main staircase, which was visible from the living room; a feature Curtiss had also added to the Hammondsport, NY property he inherited from his grandmother.

Now, the mansion has also become a key and friendly gathering place for many local community groups, as well as a range of free or reduced entry general public events. Its first Open House drew nearly 2,000 people. The mansion is also the site of a very special summer program for children, Camp Invention, a weeklong creative adventure done in collaboration with the National Inventors Hall of Fame, of which Glenn Curtiss is an inductee. Attendees for this renowned camp have come from as far away as Boca Raton and Pinecrest.

The Curtiss Mansion is becoming an economic powerhouse for the local region, with entire floors of hotel rooms being reserved in connection with events. Local residents and police officers are given jobs. Visitors dine, play golf, and shop locally, and this magnificent historic location is now becoming regarded as a fantastic venue for weddings and international gatherings.

This information is provided by Flood Professionals Inc.