United in Elian House
United in Elian House
Elian Gonzalez was a little boy who made a huge impact on many people. His story is at the same time tragic and inspiring. In 1999, Elian's mother who was desperate for her son to have a better life, took to the high seas in a makeshift raft with her young son in tow.
Sadly, Elian's mother died on the journey, but little Elian beat the odds and somehow survived and made it to the shores of South Florida. He still wasn't safe. An enormous custody battle ensued over the young boy. His family in Miami fought long and hard to keep the boy in America instead of sending him back to his father in Cuba. Eventually, the courts ruled Elian must go home. The family refused to turn Elian over to his father and were raided by SWAT Teams with guns and the boy was ripped out of his bed at approximately 6 in the morning.
The home where Elian Gonzalez resided with family for five months after his arrival and during the international custody battle has now been converted into a museum. The museum honors the boy and his time spent in the small house in Little Havana. Visitors will see Elian's toys, photographs and thousands of tributes and poems from Cuban Americans which fill the Miami home.
The United In Elian House is open from 12pm to 6pm daily and there is no charge for touring the house. However, donations for upkeep on the home and maintenance are gladly accepted.
Elian now lives in Cuba and is said to be a happy,well adjusted boy. Despite the horrifying events that happened early on in his young life. The United in Elian house is a place or all people to gather and remember a brave young boy who beat the odds as many Cuban Americans have done, to have a better life.
Elian Gonzalez was a little boy who made a huge impact on many people. His story is at the same time tragic and inspiring. In 1999, Elian's mother who was desperate for her son to have a better life, took to the high seas in a makeshift raft with her young son in tow.
Sadly, Elian's mother died on the journey, but little Elian beat the odds and somehow survived and made it to the shores of South Florida. He still wasn't safe. An enormous custody battle ensued over the young boy. His family in Miami fought long and hard to keep the boy in America instead of sending him back to his father in Cuba. Eventually, the courts ruled Elian must go home. The family refused to turn Elian over to his father and were raided by SWAT Teams with guns and the boy was ripped out of his bed at approximately 6 in the morning.
The home where Elian Gonzalez resided with family for five months after his arrival and during the international custody battle has now been converted into a museum. The museum honors the boy and his time spent in the small house in Little Havana. Visitors will see Elian's toys, photographs and thousands of tributes and poems from Cuban Americans which fill the Miami home.
The United In Elian House is open from 12pm to 6pm daily and there is no charge for touring the house. However, donations for upkeep on the home and maintenance are gladly accepted.
Elian now lives in Cuba and is said to be a happy,well adjusted boy. Despite the horrifying events that happened early on in his young life. The United in Elian house is a place or all people to gather and remember a brave young boy who beat the odds as many Cuban Americans have done, to have a better life.
