On Thursday, April 9, 2009, the Commissioner and the Historic Hampton House Community Trust, Inc. unveiled the architectural rendering of the Hampton House’s renovation on site.

“Today I am full of emotion and pride.  My emotions stem from the memories that I still cherish as a little girl coming to the Hampton House,” said Commissioner Edmonson. “Coming here with my mother to tea parties was always a grandiose affair.  The image of the Hampton House was that of a magnificent facility where black nobilities and celebrities stayed while performing in the Miami area.”

Phase One of the building’s restoration will include:

• A cultural center on African American History in Miami with exhibit space and archives.
• A center for music education with classrooms and rehearsal spaces.
• A multi-purpose room and banquet hall for social functions, lectures and movies.

Parts of the building will be preserved – such as Dr. King’s favorite room – while other portions will be made into offices for businesses geared towards helping the community.

Commissioner Edmonson led the effort in acquiring funding from the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners for the construction project. On March 5, 2009, the Commissioner was honored by the Historic Hampton House Community Trust, Inc. for her role in helping with the building’s renovation, which is now becoming a reality.

“Today we unveil plans for a future that salutes the past. I look forward to a restored Hampton House with great anticipation, where new stories and new memories will be made by our children and our children’s children,” said Commissioner Edmonson.

 
(L-R) Garth Reeves, Miami Times Publisher Emeritus; Miami-Dade County Commissioner Audrey M. Edmonson; Miami-Dade County Chairman Dennis C. Moss; Dr. Enid Pinkney, Founding President of Historic Hampton House Community Trust

 
The architectural rendering of the renovated Hampton House.