The Wandering Disciple

As pioneers settlers embarked on they journey to Florida, they had some tough decisions to make when they packed their wagon. With no stores or markets, they had to pack everything they needed on the wagon, transporting as much vital foods and supplies without exceeding the 1,050 pound capacity of the wagon.  The story of the pioneer settlers of Florida is just one of the historic journeys you will learn about at the Orange County Regional History Center. Housed in the historic courthouse, the history center tells the story of Orange County from prehistoric inhabitants to the exciting theme parks of Disney and Universal.  Taken: July 9, 2013 at Orange County Regional History Center (Orlando, FL)

During World War II when the nation was out helping stop the Nazis from taking over Europe, Orlando was busy training the brave soldiers who would defend our country. Orlando was home to the Orlando Army Air Base and Pinecastle Army Air Field. As the armed services evolved over the years and the Air Force was created, they would merge and become McCoy Air Force Base located at the home of present day Orlando International Airport. McCoy would remain in service until 1976. After closure, the runways were transferred over to Orlando International Airport. But the McCoy roots are still visible with the airports code MCO. The military history of Orange County is on display at the Orange County Regional History Center in downtown Orlando. (Photo: July 9, 2013)

A drive through undeveloped areas of Florida highlight the rich citrus industry that helped put Florida on the map.  One of the top agricultural crops in the Sunshine State, the orange industry was so strong, one of the state's biggest county is named after it.  You can learn more about the Florida citrus industry and its effect on the state during a trip to the Orange County Regional History Center in downtown Orlando.  Here you will see how citrus and other industries helped shape the region.  (Photo: July 9, 2013)

The tourism of Central Florida changed forever in October 1971 when Walt Disney opened Magic Kingdom and the Walt Disney World empire was born.  A gallery of history of the theme park and its effect on the region can be seen at the Orange County Regional History Center in downtown Orlando.  (Photo: July 9, 2013)

A collection of vintage citrus crate labels hang on the wall of the Cattle and Citrus exhibit at the Orange County History Center. The exhibits looks at how the citrus industry helped shape Central Florida and pave the way for the successful growth of the region. (Photo: July 9, 2013)

A replica pioneer cabin is on display at the Orange County Regional History Center in downtown Orlando. Cabins like these were prevalent throughout the state during the pioneer periods. (Photo: July 9, 2013)

Courtroom B at the historic Orange County Courthouse sits frozen in time from the 1920’s. The historic courthouse was dedicated in 1927 and was the main criminal courthouse for Orange County. After the new, modern courthouse was completed, this courthouse was turned over to the Orange County Historical Society and became the Orange County Regional History Center. During the conversion from courthouse to museum, a fire from a torch damaged a portion of the courthouse. But the restored courtroom B is now on display in the musuem. (Photo: July 9, 2013)

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...

Orlando, Florida:  The second day of our staycation sent us on a road trip to Orlando for a museum day.  We have been to Central Florida on many occasions in the past, but we never ventured off the theme park path, until today. As we drove to Orlando, it felt weird driving past the theme park exits.  Its almost like our truck is on autopilot to Disney or Universal.  Today was one of just a handful of times I have ever ventured east of Universal on I-4 and the first time I have ever been into downtown Orlando. Our first stop of the day was the Orlando Science Center.  The four story museum is a hands-on science museum that helps educate while entertaining.  You enter the museum from the garage pedestrian bridge onto the second floor of the museum.  Quickly your focus goes to the four story rotunda which portrays a Central Florida Cypress Swamp. We began our tour on the second level.  Much of the second floor features exhibits that enter...