The Wolfsonian Florida International University, located in the heart of the Art Deco District of Miami Beach, Florida, operates as a unique museum, library, and research center dedicated to illustrating the persuasive power of art and design. Since 1997, the institution has functioned as a division of Florida International University, bridging academic research with public engagement.
Housing approximately 180,000 pieces spanning from 1885 to 1945, the museum's collections capture the height of the Industrial Revolution through the end of the Second World War. Holdings include furniture, industrial design objects, rare books, and propaganda, primarily representing countries such as Germany, Great Britain, Italy, the Netherlands, and the United States.
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SubscribeThe institution traces its origins to collector Mitchell Wolfson Jr., who began amassing rare books and design objects in the 1970s and stored them in the historic Washington Storage Company building. In 1986, Wolfson purchased the facility and established a foundation to make the collection accessible to scholars before gifting it to Florida International University in 1997.
Today, the facility at 1001 Washington Avenue serves not only as a vibrant exhibition space featuring permanent galleries and temporary showcases, but also as a vital academic resource supported by major grants from foundations like Mellon and Knight. Through community programs and fellowship opportunities, it continues to expand public and digital access to its historic holdings.