Miami Beach

A new outdoor exhibit in Miami Beach honors the U.S.’s 250th birthday. Take a look

By Pedro Portal and Adrian Ruhi
Attendees check the different images on display during the unveiling “ceremony of the Miami Beach FREEDOM" outdoor exhibition on Thursday May 21 at Galería Ocean Drive in Lummus Park (between 11th and 12th Streets) to commemorate America's 250th anniversary. The exhibit features 34 weatherproof panels honoring American icons and runs through July 15, 2026.
People check the images on display during the unveiling ceremony of the Miami Beach FREEDOM outdoor exhibition on Thursday, May 21 at Galería Ocean Drive in Lummus Park (between 11th and 12th streets) to commemorate America's 250th birthday. The exhibit features 34 weatherproof panels honoring American icons and runs through July 15, 2026. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com

Miami Beach kicked off its Memorial Day weekend festivities Thursday with the unveiling of an outdoor exhibit honoring the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

‘Galería Ocean Drive — Miami Beach FREEDOM,’ located at Lummus Park along Ocean Drive between 11th and 12th streets, highlights achievements across the United States’ history, including Miami Beach’s connection to several historic milestones.

The free exhibit, which runs through July 15, is launching as South Beach gears up for the Hyundai Air & Sea Show on Saturday and Sunday.

Take a look at photos from the unveiling:

Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner speaks during the unveiling “ceremony of the Miami Beach FREEDOM" outdoor exhibition on Thursday May 21 at Galería Ocean Drive in Lummus Park (between 11th and 12th Streets) to commemorate America's 250th anniversary. The exhibit features 34 weatherproof panels honoring American icons and runs through July 15, 2026.
Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner speaks during the unveiling of ‘Galería Ocean Drive — Miami Beach FREEDOM’ on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at Lummus Park in Miami Beach. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com
Miami Beach Commissioner Monica Matteo-Salinas and Mayor Steven Meiner posed with members of the U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team during the unveiling “ceremony of the Miami Beach FREEDOM" outdoor exhibition on Thursday May 21 at Galería Ocean Drive in Lummus Park (between 11th and 12th Streets) to commemorate America's 250th anniversary. The exhibit features 34 weatherproof panels honoring American icons and runs through July 15, 2026.
Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner and Commissioner Monica Matteo-Salinas with members of the U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team during the unveiling of ‘Galería Ocean Drive — Miami Beach FREEDOM’ on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at Lummus Park in Miami Beach. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com
View of panels on display during the unveiling “ceremony of the Miami Beach FREEDOM" outdoor exhibition on Thursday May 21 at Galería Ocean Drive in Lummus Park (between 11th and 12th Streets) to commemorate America's 250th anniversary. The exhibit features 34 weatherproof panels honoring American icons and runs through July 15, 2026.
Visitors check the exhibits on display during the unveiling of ‘Galería Ocean Drive — Miami Beach FREEDOM’ on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at Lummus Park in Miami Beach. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com
View of column on display during the unveiling “ceremony of the Miami Beach FREEDOM" outdoor exhibition on Thursday May 21 at Galería Ocean Drive in Lummus Park (between 11th and 12th Streets) to commemorate America's 250th anniversary. The exhibit features 34 weatherproof panels honoring American icons and runs through July 15, 2026.
Attendees look over the exhibits on display during the unveiling of ‘Galería Ocean Drive — Miami Beach FREEDOM’ on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at Lummus Park in Miami Beach. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com
Attendees checks the different images on display during the unveiling “ceremony of the Miami Beach FREEDOM" outdoor exhibition on Thursday May 21 at Galería Ocean Drive in Lummus Park (between 11th and 12th Streets) to commemorate America's 250th anniversary. The exhibit features 34 weatherproof panels honoring American icons and runs through July 15, 2026.
People walk by the exhibits on display during the unveiling of ‘Galería Ocean Drive — Miami Beach FREEDOM’ on Thursday, May 21, 202,6 at Lummus Park in Miami Beach. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com

This story was originally published May 22, 2026 at 5:04 AM.

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Profile Image of Adrian Ruhi
Adrian Ruhi
Miami Herald
305-376-3488
Adrian Ruhi is the Audience Development Editor for the Miami Herald and el Nuevo Herald. He’s a University of Florida graduate and lifelong Miamian, and has been at the Herald since 2008.
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