Why Little Havana was just declared a 'national treasure'

The National Trust for Historic Preservation on Friday added the immigrant community to its list, along with 77 other historic sites around the United States.

By Mengqi Sun, Staff, @mitchiesun

JANUARY 28, 2017 —A haven for Cuban Americans, Little Havana, one of Miami’s most historic neighborhood, is now a "national treasure."

The National Trust for Historic Preservation on Friday added the immigrant community to its list, one of 78 sites to be awarded the designation, honoring the Miami neighborhood's inclusiveness and significant role in the national story while launching a long-term campaign to preserve its heritage.

“Little Havana is a symbol of the immigrant experience in America and a thriving, entirely unique place that thousands of people currently call home,” said Stephanie Meeks, president and CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, in the announcement.

"This historic designation enshrines the diverse culture and history of Little Havana," Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado told CNN. "This national recognition confirms the neighborhood’s cultural significance in the immigrant experience."

The neighborhood, created as an enclave for Cuban refugees fleeing their homeland after the 1959 revolution, is also home to a growing number of immigrants from throughout Central America and the Caribbean and is the second-most popular tourism destination in Miami. 

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