Bay of Pigs Museum

The Bay of Pigs Museum in Miami, Florida is dedicated to the 2506 Brigade, the group which undertook the failed attempt to overthrow Cuban leader Fidel Castro.

Bay of Pigs Museum history

After Fidel Castro drove his guerrilla army into Havana and overthrew the nation’s American-back president General Fulgencio, officials at the US State Department and the CIA attempted to remove Castro.

The Bay of Pigs invasion was undertaken by Cuban exiles supported by the CIA and US government under President John F Kennedy. In April 1961, approximately 1,400 exiles landed at the Bay of Pigs in Cuba with the aim of removing Castro. The invaders were badly outnumbered by Castro’s troops, and they surrendered after less than 24 hours of fighting.

In the process, the vast majority of the 2506 Brigade were taken captive and nearly 100 people died. They were later released in exchange for $50 million worth of food and medicine. Overall, the Bay of Pigs invasion was a major source of humiliation to Kennedy’s administration and only served to worsen the tensions of the Cold War.

In September 1987, Arnhilda Gonzalez-Quevedo, the Republican member of the Florida House of Representatives for Coral Gables, presented the museum founders with $75,000 from the state of Florida for its construction.

The museum was dedicated on April 17, 1988 at 1821 South West Ninth Street in Little Havana, Miami by 400 attendees, including veterans and Cuban exiles.

Bay of Pigs Museum today

The Bay of Pigs Museum in Miami houses a small collection of items, photographs and documents relating to the Bay of Pigs invasion. There is a detailed video that highlights what happened on those three days in April. The museum also serves as a Veteran’s hub, offering visitors an opportunity to speak to different soldiers.

Getting to the Bay of Pigs Museum

The Bay of Pigs Museum is located in Little Havana, Miami, Florida. It’s located in a seemingly residential home, so it’s easy to pass right by accidentally.

To travel around between Little Havana, Brickell, and the Midtown/Edgewater areas of Miami, visitors can hop on a free trolley. There’s a local bus nearby and, of course, the option to take a ride with ride-hailing apps. The Bay of Pigs Museum is open Monday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.