A new photography exhibition spotlighting Overtown’s rich Black history has opened at the newly restored Lawson E. Thomas Building, offering the public a rare visual journey into one of Miami’s most influential communities.
Timed to coincide with Black History Month, Sepia Vernacular: Overtown’s Photographic Journey, 1920–1950 is presented by the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency (SEOPW CRA) in partnership with the City of Miami Planning Department’s Public Art Division. The exhibition draws from the Planning Department’s archives and features more than 80 historic photographs documenting everyday life in Overtown during the early to mid-20th century.
Among the highlights are images from photographer Max Waldman’s 1947 Color Town series, which capture the neighborhood’s streets, families, businesses, and social life. Together, the photographs offer an intimate look at a community that played a central role in shaping Miami’s cultural identity but has often been overlooked in mainstream historical narratives.
The exhibition is housed in the Lawson E. Thomas Building at 1021 NW 2nd Avenue, a site of major historical significance. The building once served as the office of Judge Lawson E. Thomas, Miami-Dade County’s first Black judge and a prominent civil rights leader. Recently restored by the SEOPW CRA, the space has retained its architectural character while being updated to ensure accessibility and long-term preservation.