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The Orange County Regional History Center, housed in a historic courthouse in the heart of downtown Orlando, offers four floors of exhibits exploring 12,000 years of Central Florida’s rich heritage. A Smithsonian affiliate, the museum also offers visiting exhibitions and a wide range of programs for families, children, and adults.
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Selections from the vast and varied collections of the Historical Society of Central Florida illustrate Central Florida’s fascinating past.
Explore our pastAs an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, the History Center presents limited-run exhibitions of great depth and insight.
On display nowConvenient parking options include the Central Boulevard garage across from the Orlando Public Library, the History Center’s neighbor.
How to find usAn Evolving Community Resource
The Orange County Regional History Center is working to build an even better experience while we continue to recover from the pandemic’s considerable effects on our resources. We’re deep in the exploration stages of fully renovating and updating our current exhibitions and seeking ways to expand the History Center.
Much has changed since the History Center opened more than two decades ago. We are honored by our national awards, Smithsonian Affiliation, and accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums, and have spent the past several years researching and growing our collection to better reflect the experience of our entire Central Florida community.
We also continue to offer more diverse programming and special exhibitions on topics we plan to include in our future visitor experience. This work takes thoughtful time and care, and we go forward with dedication to building strong relationships across the community and engaging in meaningful conversations. As always, we welcome your participation and encourage you to share your thoughts through our contact form.
Coming up: Lunch & Learns, Family Days, and more
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Upcoming Events
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Third Thursday @ The Museum
May 16, 20245:00 pm - 9:00 pm -
Curator Conversations: Orlando’s World Cup
May 16, 20246:00 pm - 7:00 pm -
History Alive: Navigating Florida’s Tourism History
June 1, 202411:00 am - 2:00 pm -
Lunch & Learn – Lightning (Sometimes) Strikes Twice: Central Florida’s Famous Firebolts
June 7, 202412:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Around the Museum Blog
- 25 Apr
Library’s study group can help you learn about your Native American roots
Read more about Library’s study group can help you learn about your Native American rootsIt’s interesting to consider AI’s role in genealogy research and the Orange County Library System is doing just that during the month of May. This and many other classes are offered by OCLS through their Genealogy Center located at the West Oaks Branch in Ocoee. Learn more about the many
- 26 Mar
What Remains: A Land Called Wewahotee
Read more about What Remains: A Land Called WewahoteeBy Kelly D’Ambrosio, Digital Archivist, Orange County Regional History Center Land changes hands and names as the years pass, extending its story with each transaction. In the case of a lost Central Florida community named Wewahotee – now often spelled Wewahootee – an expansive story has become muddled by time
- 22 Mar
Find out more about your German ancestors at the library in April
Read more about Find out more about your German ancestors at the library in AprilOur friends at the Orange County Library System have a wonderful resource in their Genealogy Center located in the West Oaks Branch in Ocoee. This month you can learn about your ancestors from Tennessee to Europe. Learn more about the many resources of the library at OCLS.info. Utilizing the General
- 18 Mar
Celebrating a Century: An Angebilt Vignette Featuring Sam Stoltz
Read more about Celebrating a Century: An Angebilt Vignette Featuring Sam StoltzBy Travis Puterbaugh from the Fall 2023 edition of Reflections Magazine In late June 1921, developer J.F. Ange announced plans for a million-dollar, 240-room hotel at the northeast corner of Orange Avenue and Oak Street (now Wall Street). Orlando’s own Murry S. King, Florida’s first registered architect, designed the elegant
- 23 Feb
Read all about it! Learn your family history using newspapers
Read more about Read all about it! Learn your family history using newspapersOrange County Library System Genealogy Events – March 2024 Through their West Oaks Branch and Genealogy Center, the Orange County Library System offers a wide array of genealogy events that we know fans of the History Center would be interested in, so we’re happy to support our valued community partner
What our visitors are saying about their experience
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I want to thank the staff at the History Center for my daughter’s experience this summer [at camp]. Every staff member has been kind, talented and prepared – and helped nurture my daughter’s love of invention and creation. She deeply enjoyed the program. Thank you!
Ximena Cordova Palma -
I just have to tell you what a spectacular time our classes had today! The kids talked about it all afternoon, and all of our teachers raved about it! How early is too early to book for next year?
Teacher Judy Lindquist, Andover Elementary School -
The exhibits were interesting and well put together. I particularly enjoyed all the information about Florida’s citrus industry. Exhibits focusing on tourism were a close second favorite. Staff was helpful, and we enjoyed the optional audio tour.
Halee Pearl -
Great local museum! Took our daughter when she was 3 and she loved it. She asked to go back and at 5 she loved it even more! If you live in central Florida, or are visiting, you really need to check it out!
Joanna Bond