This #MuseumMonday, we’re taking a closer look at the historic Cuban clay roof tiles that have shaped the iconic Mediterranean Revival character of the Stone House. Installed in 1922 during the construction of the Stone House, the clay roof tiles at the Deering Estate were imported from Cuba at a time when South Florida relied on Caribbean craftsmanship to achieve the Mediterranean Revival style. Because the region lacked suitable clay deposits, builders sourced handmade terracotta barrel tiles from Cuban workshops, where artisans shaped the clay by hand and kiln-fired each piece. Packed in crates and shipped by steamship from Havana to Miami during the height of the Florida land boom, these tiles reflect the close cultural and commercial ties between Cuba and South Florida. As part of the Stone House restoration efforts, these historic tiles are being carefully removed, documented, and preserved for future display in the museum, ensuring their craftsmanship and history remain accessi...