JULIA TUTTLE - The Mother of Miami (a 10 minute play)

by Marj O'Neill-Butler

It is 1894. Julia is intent on getting Henry Flagler to come south to what was Ft. Dallas. She figures that if he could see the area, he’d extend his railroad to South Florida, and it would change everything. Business. International visitors. Vacationers. It would become the Gateway to South America. Fannie, Julia’s daughter wants to photograph Julia and send a copy of the picture to Henry along with a...

It is 1894. Julia is intent on getting Henry Flagler to come south to what was Ft. Dallas. She figures that if he could see the area, he’d extend his railroad to South Florida, and it would change everything. Business. International visitors. Vacationers. It would become the Gateway to South America. Fannie, Julia’s daughter wants to photograph Julia and send a copy of the picture to Henry along with a fresh orange blossom branch and a postcard of the sunny weather to encourage his railroad. Julia decides that the town needs a new name after the river. Fannie tells Julia she will be known as the mother of Miami. Julia poses for the photo.

New Theatre, Miami, Florida
White Mouse Productions, Tallahassee, FL
Femuscripts, Miami Florida

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JULIA TUTTLE - The Mother of Miami (a 10 minute play)

Recommended by

  • Emily Brauer Rogers: JULIA TUTTLE - The Mother of Miami (a 10 minute play) by Marj O'Neill-Butler
    “

    I saw this as part of Caravan Theatre's reading and love the tough-as-nails Julia who is willing to play the game to get a railroad to Ft. Dallas except for getting her photo taken! Nice banter and relationship between the mother and daughter.

    I saw this as part of Caravan Theatre's reading and love the tough-as-nails Julia who is willing to play the game to get a railroad to Ft. Dallas except for getting her photo taken! Nice banter and relationship between the mother and daughter.

    ”
  • Wayne L. Firestone: JULIA TUTTLE - The Mother of Miami (a 10 minute play) by Marj O'Neill-Butler
    “

    It is said that the power of creation is contained in the power of naming. Fittingly, Marj O’Neil-Butler has dubbed Julia Tuttle as both the mother of Miami and the mother of Fannie her co-star in this multigenerational story of women too often neglected by history. This play brushes the dust off of an 1894 portrait and reluctant photograph subject whose crafty entrepreneurship opened Miami to trains, commerce and new fair weathered friends, tourists and residents.

    It is said that the power of creation is contained in the power of naming. Fittingly, Marj O’Neil-Butler has dubbed Julia Tuttle as both the mother of Miami and the mother of Fannie her co-star in this multigenerational story of women too often neglected by history. This play brushes the dust off of an 1894 portrait and reluctant photograph subject whose crafty entrepreneurship opened Miami to trains, commerce and new fair weathered friends, tourists and residents.

    ”

Production History

  • Professional, Dramawerks, Texas, 2017
  • Professional, New Theatre, Miami FL, 2016