According to the University of Florida, the Wolfsonian Museum was founded by Mitchell "Micky" Wolfson Jr., inspired by everyday objects and their cultural significance. Located in a 1927 Mediterranean Revival building designed by Robertson & Patterson, the museum houses over 200,000 objects, ranging from household appliances to architectural designs and wartime propaganda.

The majority of the collection originates from Europe and the United States, with important contributions from Latin America, Asia, and Africa. Focused on the transformative period between 1850 and 1950, the museum explores humanity's transition from agrarian societies to urban superpowers, making it a cornerstone of Miami Beach’s cultural landscape.