Orange County Regional History Center

Orlando, Florida: When people think of Central Florida, the first thing that comes to mind is the world famous theme parks. But the region has a much deeper history and the Orange County Regional History Center helps tell the story. From the Native American tribes through the Mouse, the entire history of Central can be viewed at the museum.

The need for a history center was realized in the early 1940’s and the first museum was opened in 1942 in the red brick courthouse. The museum operated there until the courthouse was demolished. The growing collection went into storage from six years and resurfaced in the Courthouse Annex in 1963. The collection moved again in 1970 to the nearby Christ Building.

After bouncing around a few times, the Orange County Historical Society began an initiative to find a permanent home for the museum. After five years of fundraising efforts, the museum found a new home at Loch Haven Park in 1976. In 2000, the History Center moved for the final time, returning to the historic courthouse. The 1927 Courthouse was renovated to become the permanent home for the Orange County Regional History Center.

Today the museum’s collection encompasses four floors of exhibit space. A tour of the history museum begins on the fourth floor and travels in time through the region. Here is a list of the galleries you will see on your visit:

• Natural Environment: A look at the land that makes up Central Florida. You will see the plants and wildlife that call Central Florida home as well as see the massive Winter Garden sinkhole that swallowed an entire city block. 
• First People: Take a look into the life of the original Floridians, the Timucua and Calusa Indian tribes. 
• First Contact: Learn about the original European settlers and their impact on the Native American tribal colonies. 
• Florida Seminole: Learn about the most popular Native American tribe. See how they lived and how misunderstanding of their culture led to hostility with the settlers and eventually a war. 
• Pioneer Life: Step into the life of a pioneer homestead. See how they lived and learn how they managed on the Florida frontier. 
• Cattle: The original pioneers made a living on the cattle industry, here you can see how the cowboys lived from a cattle camp to tools of the trade. At one time, the Florida cattle industry rivaled Texas. 
• Citrus: Possibly one of the most identifiable Floridian resource is its citrus industry. See how the oranges make it from the grove to the store. 
• All-Aboard: As Florida continues to grow, its dependence on transportation has never been more important as it is today. Take a look back at the history of travel in Central Florida. 
• Destination Florida: A look at tourism before Walt Disney World. See the campgrounds, springs and more that brought visitors to Central Florida long before the mouse.
• Central Florida at War: The region had a major impact on war efforts. All five branches of the armed services and their impact are displayed here.
• Aviation: Central Florida played a big part in aviation history from World War II era B-17 bomber at Orlando Air Base through the space program and Kennedy Space Center.
• Disney: A dream by Walt Disney transformed tourism in the area when the Florida project, later known as Walt Disney World opened in 1971.
• Courtroom B: The original criminal courtroom preserved in time at its original location. A fire during renovation for the museum left charred wood near the judge’s box.
• African American Heritage: A look at the history of region’s African American residents.

In addition to the permanent galleries, the History Center plays home to a rotating collection of special exhibits.

The tour of exhibits can be enhanced with the free audio tour available at check-in. Each exhibit has a three digit code that can be entered into the player to help give a deeper insight into the exhibit.

The Orange County History Center is located at 65 East Central Boulevard in downtown Orlando. It is open Monday through Saturday from 10-5 and Sunday noon to 5. Admission is $12 for adults, $9 for children 5-12 and free for 4 and younger. There are discounts available for seniors, military, AAA and more. Parking is available at the nearby library garage for $2 an hour.

Click on the photo above to view my Orange County Regional History Museum photo gallery.