James Deering (1859-1925), Vizcaya’s owner, was the vice president of his family’s business, International Harvester, the leading manufacturer of agricultural machinery in the United States around 1900. In 1908 Deering retired and began planning a winter retreat in Miami to escape Chicago’s cold winters. Reflecting his interests in agriculture and technology, Vizcaya built a farming village on the estate and, while creating what appeared to be a centuries-old Italianate estate, incorporated the most advanced technology of the day. As a bachelor without direct descendants, Deering’s nieces inherited Vizcaya.
Explore this 360° image of Deering’s Library on the first floor of Vizcaya’s Main House.
