May 21st, 2009. 8:00 p.m. 
A new and unprecedented one-hour documentary on the remarkable history and perhaps even more remarkable survival of Miami’s landmark Vizcaya is scheduled to air on May 21st, 2009 on WPBT- Channel 2 at 8:00p.m. The documentary is directed by Corley and voiced by actor and part-time Miami resident, Andy Garcia.
The film details the incredible vision of James Deering in constructing Vizcaya and the astounding confluence of talent that made it possible – and that made it unique in its time as well as today. Deering, vice president of the International Harvester Company, which produced agricultural equipment for a worldwide market, envisioned Vizcaya as his winter estate. He lived at Vizcaya from 1916 until his death in 1925.
The documentary details the process of designing and building Vizcaya, which was no easy task. The land itself presented a challenge: it was riddled with land crabs, mosquitoes, crocodiles and alligators. As the house was constructed at the water’s edge, pilings had to be built, which at that time, was an astonishing accomplishment of engineering.
It took almost 10 years to construct Vizcaya – the architecture, gardens and fountains, to acquire the art and to hire artisans to create the masterpiece we now know today. Vizcaya details not just the marvel of its creation, but also that it continues to stand. Massive hurricanes – that of 1926 and 1992’s Hurricane Andrew were but two of the destructive storms to severely damage the museum – and yet it endured through the years. Don't miss the opportunity to watch the makings of this local gem on TV.
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
3251 South Miami Avenue
Miami, FL 33129
305.250.9133
www.vizcayamuseum.com
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