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William J. Matheson was a philanthropist, agriculturalist, and pioneer developer in South Florida in the early 20th century. His agricultural experiments, social activities, travels, and estate are recorded in this collection and offer a unique visual history of Key Biscayne. Matheson served as commodore of the Biscayne Bay Yacht Club from 1912 until 1923. His annual Chowder Party on the Key became a highlight event of the season. In the early 20th century, Matheson traveled on a world cruise with his friend Arthur Curtiss James aboard his yacht, Aloha. Matheson also supported the development of south Florida, and nearly one hundred maps, plans, and images document his visionary work - including architectural plans for three of his residences, two of which are no longer standing. In 1940, Matheson's children donated more than 800 acres to Dade County for what would become Crandon Park.

The Blez family played a role in the Cuban independence movement of 1868. Felicia Marcé Castellanos (1850-1941), widow of Blez, sewed one of three flags commissioned by Carlos Manuel de Céspedes to represent the Cuban independence forces. A native of Bayamo, Marcé made the flag when she was 18 years old, giving the nascent republic a symbol around which people could rally. Soon after making the flag, she was married and almost immediately widowed when her husband was executed by colonial Spanish forces. Marcé was named a “Libertadora Insigne” for her involvement in the Cuban independence struggle of 1868 and 1895. Her son is the well-known Cuban photographer Joaquín Blez Marcé (1886-1974).