Monday, November 28, 2005
Orange County Regional History Center: A
Great Introduction to Central Florida's History and Culture
Exploring Orlando "Off the Beaten Path" has been the
theme for our trip and I intend to explore the Central areas of
the Sunshine State, and flush out all those unexpected and unconventional
destinations in and around Orlando. In my discoveries of Orlando,
I have been working closely with the Orlando
Visitor and Convention Bureau, to get the input of local experts
and work out an itinerary for our two weeks in Florida, without
setting foot once into a theme park.
One of the first places they suggested was the Orange
County Regional History Center, home to the varied and extensive
collections of the Historical Society of Central Florida. Located
in the heart of downtown Orlando in the beautifully restored five-story
Orange County Courthouse, The History Center is continuously distinguished
as the area's "Best Museum". When the History Center was
built as a courthouse in 1927, the jail was on the top floor, with
quarters for the jailer and his wife, an infirmary, and separate
cellblocks for white women, white men, black women and black men.
Alligator wrestler in front of the Orange County Regional History
Center
With an exciting roster of ever-changing exhibits on display and
travelling exhibits on loan to other facilities, The History Center
is one of Central Florida's premier attractions. Members, educators
and visitors alike find a wealth of fascinating information, delivered
in dynamic fashion. From guided tours and "hands-on history"
events to fun-packed summer camps and interactive children's programs,
learning is fun for all ages. History Center members can take advantage
of a number of special value-added benefits, including discounts
and exclusive event opportunities. The stately facility is also
available for event rentals, ranging from unparalleled conferences
to unforgettable weddings.
The First People exhibit takes visitors back in time to
see how Paleo-Indians lived in the days before European Contact.
First Contact helps visitors imagine Native American's
reaction and the changes in their lifestyles due to the arrival
of the Spanish. A recreated early 19th century Seminole Settlement
provides a look at artifacts of Florida's most famous tribe and
a replica Florida Pioneer cabin lets curious guests test
a Spanish moss-filled mattress and discover the much-discussed origin
of the term "Florida Cracker".
School children explore one of the exhibits
Other permanent exhibits include Cattle and Citrus,
Central Florida's first major industries, Tourism, Transportation,
Real Estate, Aviation, the impact of Walt Disney,
and Central Florida's African American community. From
a replica World War II B-17 bomber and a two-story dome featuring
over 150 unique Central Florida icons to the restored 1927 Courtroom
B, and the outdoor Heritage Square courtyard, a wealth
of fascinating sights and experiences awaits visitors to the History
Center.
Our first stop in the museum was the Orientation Theatre.
Set as a Florida back porch, you can relax in a rocker while being
surrounded by the sights and sounds of Central Florida. Right after
our introduction to Central Florida's history we had a chance to
meet Shanon Larimer, spokesperson for the Museum, who gave us a
great overview of this facility.
The solid wooden entrance to Courtroom B
The exhibits feature many interactive displays and Shanon, our
museum expert, indicated that new exhibits offering even more interactive
features will be coming on stream shortly. We particularly enjoyed
Courtroom B, an authentic courtroom that is part of this
former Orange County Courthouse, with furnishings and decorations
dating back to 1927. One of the benches in the front has an inscription
"Ted Bundy", indicating this infamous criminal may indeed
have been sitting here on this very wooden bench in the past. Bundy
was in fact tried in the former Annex to the 1927 Orange County
Courthouse, but historians still debate the authenticity of the
signature. The seat backs of the prisoners' benches are all scuffed
up with markings of the handcuffs that tied their hands behind their
backs.
Is this Ted Bundy's handy work?
Shanon also showed us a very famous friendship doll that was given
to the United States by the Japanese. Every year hundreds of visitors
come from Japan and visit the History Center, with the specific
intention of seeing this friendship doll.
The Historium gift store sells memorabilia, books and
souvenirs while the Educational Program's office offers a wide range
of programs and activities for children of all ages as well as tours,
workshops and lectures for adults. Ongoing special events include
a Third Thursday themed evening event and a Saturday morning Farmer's
Market staged in the lush Heritage Square courtyard in
front of the building.
Courtroom B in its full glory
Fortunately for visitors not just hungry for historical insights,
there are ample dining opportunities right outside the Museum.
Wall Street Plaza, which abuts the History Center, features
eight bars and restaurants lining a brick-paved pedestrian sidewalk.
Restaurants include the Wall Street Cantina serving Mexican
fare, The Globe, a relaxed European-style café featuring
both indoor and al fresco dining, and the new Waitiki Retro
Tiki Lounge, offering the best in upscale island seafood.
The clock from an earlier courthouse
From Too Jay's and Kress Chop House on Church
Street, to cutting edge cuisine at The Bohème and
sushi bar Ichiban on Orange Avenue, and from Sam Sneads
and HUE on Central Boulevard to the Lake Eola Yacht
Club, Lee's Lakeside and GondEola featuring
candlelit dinners aboard a gondola on Lake Eola, History Center
visitors are sure to find just the right meal to top off their museum
experience.
Inspired by our discovery of the History Center we continued our
learning experiences at the Well's
Built Museum of African American History and Culture, followed
up by a relaxing walk around Lake
Eola, to take in a beautiful sunset. We capped off an intense
day with a tasty Mexican Dinner on downtown Heritage Square. In
one afternoon we managed to satisfy our desire for learning and
our cravings for spicy Mexican food.
Outdoor exhibit in front of the Museum
Conveniently located at 65 East Boulevard in the heart of downtown
Orlando, the History Center is open Monday through Saturday, 10
am to 5 pm, and Sunday from 12 to 5 pm. General admission is $7,
students with a valid student ID and seniors (60+) pay $6.50 and
children ages 3 to 12 $3.50. Visitors receive two hours of FREE
covered parking at the Orlando Public Library with paid admission
(not valid for special events). Guided tours are offered on Saturdays
at 11 am and included in the price of general admission. For more
information visit www.thehistorycenter.org
or call (407) 836-8500.
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Orlando and Central Florida travel stories:
Orlando Off the Beaten
Path
A visit to the Orange
County Regional History Center
Exploring Orlando's African
American Heritage at the Well's Built Museum
A lovely evening walk around downtown
Orlando's Lake Eola
Visual delights served
up on the Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour
A walking tour through quaint
historic Winter Park
Our high-speed adrenaline adventure
at Boggy Creek Airboat Tours
Our picnic lunch by the Kissimmee
waterfront
Exploring picturesque Mount Dora
on the "Herbie Express"
Orlando's Loch Haven Park:
Center of culture and arts
Exploring downtown Orlando's
historic neighbourhoods and parks
Learning about citrus at
Florida's Natural Visitor Center
Architectural and natural
beauty at the Bok Historic Sanctuary
Central Florida: a haven
for naturalists and plant lovers
Central Florida's wildlife:
surprising ecological diversity..
Driving home through St. Augustine:
the oldest city in the US
Articles on Golf in Central Florida:
A first-hand
look at ChampionsGate
A first-hand look at the
Royal St. Cloud Links
A first-hand look at Timacuan
Golf and Country Club
Attending the Father
Son Challenge at ChampionsGate
An overview of golf in the Orlando area:
Orlando- Golf's Ultimate Theme Park
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