The Presidents Hall of Fame: Clermont’s Roadside Treasure
By Jeremy Hileman, Assistant Curator With numerous world-class tourist destinations located throughout Central Florida, it may be easy to forget that visitors flocked to the area prior to the emergence of the theme parks that so many associate with the region today. A number of notable attractions predated the opening
The library can teach you how to find those hard-to-find ancestors
Orange County Library System Genealogy Events – August 2023 The History Center regularly collaborates with the Orange County Library System, a natural partnership particularly since its main location is next door. With that in mind, we are pleased to keep you informed about history-related events offered at OCLS. OCLS’s West
This July, explore your family history with the Orange County Library System
Orange County Library System Genealogy Events – July 2023 The History Center regularly collaborates with the Orange County Library System, a natural partnership particularly since its main location is next door. With that in mind, we are pleased to keep you informed about history-related events offered at OCLS. OCLS’s West
On the Trail of the Orlando Bicycle Club
A Long-Ago Photo Sparks Intrigue 200 Miles from Home By Vanessa Sardon, from the Spring 2022 edition of Reflections Magazine Stacks of framed art and abandoned photographs lined the shelves of a Fort Lauderdale thrift store – among them, a captivating black-and-white photo in a simple black frame. It features
Orlando’s Round Building: An Architectural Circle of Life
By Kelly Bresnowitz Adapted from the “The Way We Were” feature, Community Paper, August 22, 2022 In 1963, an architectural marvel was unveiled in downtown Orlando. Designed by architect Robert Murphy, the circular home of American Federal Savings and Loan brought a distinguished touch of midcentury-modern design to the growing
Places for Performance: Downtown Orlando’s Music Venues through the Years
From the Spring 2023 edition of Reflections of Central Florida Our Figurehead: Music & Mayhem in Orlando’s Underground exhibition shines a light on a period in the City Beautiful’s history when a new generation frequented downtown venues for the communal experience of enjoying live music. Downtown Orlando has a long
Rosa Lee Jones: The Mother of Cocoa
By Marissa Bellenger, HERstory: Women in History Intern at the History Center for fall 2022 The Space Coast certainly has its share of significant history, including notable women, but you may not have heard of one of the most remarkable: Rosa Lee Jones. Her life was dedicated to activism and
Remembering UCF President and History Maker John Hitt
In 2015 the History Center observed its tenth John Young History Maker Celebration, named for NASA’s longest-serving astronaut, who grew up in Orlando. In 1970, Captain Young had been the first commencement speaker for the brand new Florida Technological University, which would become the University of Central Florida. It seemed
Annual Women’s History Month Breakfast honors trailblazing architects
History Center highlights Ryan & Roberts, who defied obstacles in 1920s On March 9, the Orange County Regional History Center presents its fourth annual Women’s History Month Celebration with a breakfast honoring architects Ida Annah Ryan and Isabel Roberts, who overcame obstacles to create notable Central Florida buildings in the
Annual Brechner Speaker Series returns with a focus on music
Topics range from hip-hop and punk to Beatles, Allman Brothers The Orange County Regional History Center announces its 2023 Brechner Speaker Series, presenting four distinguished programs that focus on varied aspects of music in Florida — a theme designed to complement the museum’s current special exhibition, Figurehead: Music & Mayhem