Commissioner Eileen Higgins Presents $3.8 Million in County Funding to Support Construction of the New Bay of Pigs Brigade 2506 Museum and Library

Miami-Dade County Commissioner Eileen Higgins, District 5, presented two checks totaling $3.8 million to the Bay of Pigs Brigade 2506 Museum and Library in Little Havana, marking a significant milestone in the effort to complete a new, state-of-the-art facility dedicated to preserving the legacy of Cuban patriots who fought in the 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion. The funding includes $3.6 million in County contributions secured to date for the museum’s construction, as well as an additional $200,000 in funding Commissioner Higgins secured to help bring the long-awaited project across the finish line.

Commissioner Higgins’ support for the museum began several years ago during a visit to the original Bay of Pigs Museum, where she met with veterans and witnessed firsthand the building's deteriorating conditions—including a leaking roof.

“When I saw the leak in the roof, I knew immediately that these heroes deserved better,” said Commissioner Higgins. “This museum isn’t just about honoring the veterans of Brigade 2506—it’s about ensuring that future generations understand why they fought and what freedom truly means. I’m proud to have helped preserve this essential part of our community’s history.”

The new Bay of Pigs Brigade 2506 Museum and Library will be significantly larger, featuring modern exhibition spaces, educational programming, and interactive exhibits. It will serve as a living tribute to the brave men who took part in the invasion and to the broader Cuban exile community's contributions to Miami and the United States.

“This new and much larger museum will stand as a testament to courage, sacrifice, and the enduring fight for liberty,” Commissioner Higgins added. “I look forward to the day we open its doors to the public.”

After decades of false starts, the completion of the new museum marks a long-overdue achievement for the Cuban-American community and serves as a powerful reminder of the struggle for democracy, human rights, and freedom.

(Photos by: District 5 Office/Miami-Dade County)