Geography & Exploration

Pre-Visit Materials

• Vizcaya is a National Historic Landmark and museum. Before it became a museum, it was the home of James Deering.
• James Deering was the vice-president of International Harvester, an American agricultural manufacturing company, or a company that made machines for farming.
• Vizcaya is made up of three parts: the Main House, Formal Gardens, and Village.
• The construction of the Main House began in 1914 and ended in 1916.
• The Formal Gardens were completed in 1922.
• Vizcaya’s design is inspired by countryside Italian villas with a subtropical, caribbean influence.

About Vizcaya

2

• Key Focus: Explore concepts of geography and the history of exploration to learn about Vizcaya.
• Students will learn how Vizcaya has been shaped by cultural exchange, immigration, and locality.
• Students will learn about the lasting impact of European, Asian, and Carribean cultural influences on Vizcya’s design and history.
• Students will participate in a scavenger hunt in the Formal Gardens.

What will I be learning on my tour?

3

• Archive: Preserved historical documents and records that provide information about a place, institution, or group of people.​
• Antique: A work of art, piece of furniture, or decorative object made in an earlier period and, according to various customs laws, at least 100 years ago.​
• Caravel: A small sailing ship used in the 1400-1600's, mostly by Spanish and Portuguese explorers.​
• Compass: A device used for navigation and geographic orientation that displays the cardinal directions.​
• Geography: An area of study that deals with the description, distribution, and interaction of the diverse physical, biological, and cultural features of the earth's surface.​
• Preserve: To prolong the life of cultural objects and property from the past and present, by preventing physical damage and deterioration.

Vocabulary

4

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is over 100 years old. It is important that we work together to preserve this historic estate. During our visit, we must:

• Keep our hands to ourselves
• Leave food and drinks outside of the house
• Not use flash when taking photos
• Use our inside voices
• Be aware of our surroundings
• Leave our bags at school or on the bus

​

Thank you for your help and cooperation!

Visiting a Museum: Rules

5

5

5

9:45 AM Arrive at Vizcaya

Students will be welcomed and divided into groups at the Admissions Booth. Staff will collect lunches and bags.

10:00 AM Visit the Main House and Formal Gardens

12:00 PM Lunch

1:00 PM Depart Vizcaya

​

Itinerary

6

Watch to learn more about your visit!

7

7

We look forward to welcoming you at

Vizcaya Museum & Gardens!

8

8

Florida State Standards:

SS. K-12. G.1, SS.6. G.2, SS.6. G.4, SS.912. G.6, VA.K-12. C.1, VA. K-12. H.1, SS.912. H.1

Additional Resources:

The Making of a Legend: Bel Vizcaino – Vizcaya

What's in a name? – Vizcaya

Behind The Caravel - Yours Truly - Vizcaya Museum and Gardens (virtualvizcaya.com)

​

For more information on your visit, please email:

Group Tour Reservations: group.tours@vizcaya.org

Gabriella Roman, School Programs Manager: gabriella.roman@vizcaya.org

​

For Teachers:

9

9

9