He also left his little red cottage. It's the one tucked behind a small forest in the South Grove where Plaza Street meets Palmetto Avenue.
What's to become of it?
Wouldn't it be great if Charlie's house could be preserved? It could be an "artist's residence", a dwelling for an up and coming artist for a year at a time. It could also be a working studio for multiple artists.
This would be one more way to honor Charlie and all he did for South Florida. It would also encourage artistic growth, something Charlie did for over sixty years.
Preserving Charlie's house would not be easy. He bought the place in '78 for $32,000. Now, sitting on a double lot, the property is worth almost a $million.
It is the simple home of the man who created the Grove art festival, handled the publicity chores for the Grove Playhouse, helped start the Miami City Ballet and so much more. As a young man, for instance, he trudged through Europe with Patton's Third Army in World War II.
The Cinnamon house is filled with the many awards he has received over the years, too many to mention here.
Charlie's life was big and is a big part of Miami's history. Wouldn't it be great if we preserved his house for future generations to enjoy? If we do not, we'll soon see a sprawling white box (or two)
where Charlie's simple cottage once stood.
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What can we do? I would like to help
ReplyDeleteCould we do it like they did for the Stoneman Douglas House? Did the Villagers help with that one?
ReplyDeleteMichelle