Today we’d like to introduce you to Christine Rupp.
Christine, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I moved to Miami in 1993. With a background in law and accounting, I started consulting for non-profits and eventually landed a position with the yet to be opened Coral Gables Museum. I became the Museum’s Director in 2012. In 2015, I was recruited by Dade Heritage Trust to serve as the organization’s Executive Director. And, tasked with creating public programming, initiatives, and partnerships to expand Dade Heritage Trust’s reach throughout the greater Miami community. Dade Heritage Trust was founded in 1972 with a mission to preserve our community’s architectural, environmental and cultural heritage through education and advocacy.
Since I have been on board, the organization has restored and renovated our historic headquarters building which was the original 1905 office of Dr. James Jackson, namesake of Jackson Memorial Hospital. Our building, located in Brickell. Serves as an Official Heritage Tourism Center for the Miami DDA and the GMCVB. We also offer original exhibits that further our mission, Brickell Avenue Walking Tours, Urban Miami Bike Tours, and a new series called Baking in Historic Places – where participants bake in a great historic Miami venue that is not ordinarily open to the public on a daily basis. Dade Heritage Trust has also created a new educational program we call Historic Places, Green Spaces that teaches K-12 students about Miami’s historic venues in public parks and provides a visit to the Dade Heritage Trust building that is just across the street from Biscayne Bay.
We believe that education and programs are key to building civic engagement and a shared sense of place in a very diverse and evolving Miami.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I have a very supportive Board of Directors and great community partners who all care and are working to make Miami a better place for all. Like all non-profits, proper funding is always a concern. However, our innovative educational program and public outreach efforts have been attractive to local foundations and grant-making organizations. I am always on the hunt for ways we can extend our reach, enhance and grow our programs and make more people aware of the benefits of saving the places that help tell the story of Miami.
Please tell us about Dade Heritage Trust.
I believe Dade Heritage Trust has amazing potential to teach people about the special places in Miami and create a sense of shared history. Through the years, Dade Heritage Trust has assisted in the preservation of not only our office but of the Cape Florida Lighthouse on Key Biscayne, the Freedom Tower in downtown Miami, the first high school in Miami – a lovely woodframe building that now resides in Brickell’s Southside Park, the oldest homestead in Kendall – the Dice House, and two of Miami’s most historic buildings that now reside in the City of Miami’s Lummus Park. We work with neighborhoods, non-profits, governmental agencies and individuals who are interested in a healthy future for the residents of community, ensuring that as Miami rapidly evolves, our community’s historic places and green spaces is considered are preserved. Historic preservation is about creating resilient communities, too. We are now looking at preserving historic buildings to provide affordable housing and also working to preserve and increase Miami’s tree canopy which is crucial for the future health and sustainability efforts.
Is there anyone, in particular, you would like to recognize? Mentors, etc?
I would say that when I first came to Miami, I did not know a sole other than the guy I actually moved in with! We lived in Coral Gables which I came to love. I found Miami to be an amazingly welcoming City with people willing to connect and willing to introduce me to those who might be able to help me find my way professionally. Jeannett and Don Slesnick were very good to me and actually are responsible for my employment at the Coral Gables Museum. Arva Moore Parks was my mentor at the Museum where she served as Acting Director before I became Director and here at Dade Heritage Trust, I would have to thank Brian Alonso and Venny Torre for hiring me and the organization’s founder, Dolly MacIntyre for always providing great guidance. I learn on my job everyday and feel so fortunate to lead this dynamic organization.
Contact Info:
- Address: 190 SE 12 Terrace
Miami, FL 33131 - Website: www.ddadeheritagetrust.org
- Phone: 305-358-9572
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @dhtmiami
- Facebook: Dade Heritage Trust Miami
- Twitter: @DHTrust
Image Credit:
Christine Rupp, Lucia Meneses
Getting in touch: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
