Oral Histories

Lunch & Learn: What’s in a Story?

In the 1970s, the Historical Society of Central Florida began collecting and preserving interviews with Central Floridians, capturing their lived experiences in their own words. Our oral history collection now contains more than 800 interviews, and we’re constantly adding more.

Share Your Story

Do you, or someone you know, have stories related to our seven-county region (Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole, and Volusia)? We’d love to hear from you! Please contact Rachel.Williams@ocfl.net to discuss the interview.

Our ongoing oral history projects include:

Grand Avenue School

This historic Orlando school is undergoing a transformation into a recreation center. Help us preserve its history by sharing your memories or donating your school photos and memorabilia.

The 1920 Ocoee Massacre

The History Center is creating an exhibition in 2020 to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the Ocoee Massacre, the largest voting-day massacre in United States history. If you have family stories passed down through the generations, or items from this time period you would like loan or donate, we would love to talk with you!

More oral history collections

  • Old Orlando
  • The Civil Rights Movement
  • Florida Hospital
  • Orlando Health
  • World War II Veterans
  • The Vietnamese Community and Vietnam War Veterans

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    About the museum

    One of Florida’s preeminent cultural institutions, the Orange County Regional History Center advances its mission to serve as the gateway for community engagement, education, and inspiration by preserving and sharing Central Florida’s continually unfolding story. With deep roots in Orange County, the History Center opened in 2000 and is operated by Orange County and the nonprofit Historical Society of Central Florida, Inc. Read more about our story.

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    Our Location
    65 E. Central Blvd.
    Orlando, Florida 32801     (opens in new window)

    Local 407-836-8500
    Toll Free 800-965-2030

    The History Center is located in the restored 1927 courthouse at Magnolia Avenue and Central Boulevard in the heart of downtown Orlando. Parking is available in the Library Parking Garage at 112 E. Central Blvd. across from the Orlando Public Library. Get directions and a map.