While Orlando is primarily known for its theme parks, Orlando is also rich in history. There are several history museums in the greater Orlando area well worth visiting. So, if you want to take a break from the heat, and the endless miles of trekking at Disney, Universal Studios, or SeaWorld, visit one of the History Museums of Orlando.
Local Orlando history museums feature Orlando and Florida history, African-American history, Indian artifacts, and one of the oldest Holocaust museums in the country.
The Orange County Regional History Center
65 East Central Blvd.
Orlando, FL 32801
(407) 836-8500
(800) 965-2030
• Visiting Hours: Monday – Saturday (10 a.m. – 5 p.m.), Sunday (12 p.m. – 5 p.m.) • Admission: Adults $9, Seniors $7, Children $6, Children (Ages 4 and under) Free.
(Free admission for up to four children Summer 2010, free admission for Active Duty Military and their families from May 28 – September 6, 2010).
• Free Parking: Yes (Garage parking across the street – must be validated).
The History Center is located in the historic 1920s Orange County Courthouse building, in the heart of downtown Orlando. There are five floors of permanent and rotating exhibits. The original courtroom has been well preserved, serial killer Ted Bundy was tried and convicted there, you can see where he carved his name into the table he sat behind during his trial. The museum offers many exhibits that trace the state’s history from as far back as 12,000 years ago. Exhibits include Orlando’s natural environment, native inhabitants, 19th century settlers, rich aviation history, and the beginnings of Orlando’s tourist industry. The museum also hosts many events, hands-on exhibits, and educational programs throughout the year.
The museum was originally built as a hotel in 1926 by an African-American physician, Dr. William Wells, to provide lodging for segregated black musicians on tour in Orlando. Music legends Ray Charles, B.B. King and Louis Armstrong are a few of the many guests of the hotel. Today, the outside still looks like a hotel, while the inside has been converted to over 6,000 square feet of display space for the historic museum. Inside the museum, visitors will find a preserved guestroom with authentic furniture and decorations from the early 20th century. The exhibits are extensive and include: official hotel documents, Negro League baseball jersey, photos, books, artifacts, African-American art, and displays on the Civil Rights movement. This is truly an eye-opening experience, especially for younger visitors.
Holocaust Memorial Center
851 North Maitland Ave
Maitland, FL 34787
(407) 628-0555
Located just minutes from downtown Orlando is a history museum dedicated solely to the Holocaust. There is no better way to describe this historic museum than by quoting the Memorial Center’s Mission Statement, “The Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Florida is an organization dedicated to combating anti-Semitism, racism and prejudice with the ultimate goal of developing a moral and just community through its extensive outreach of educational and cultural programs. Using the lessons of the Holocaust as a tool, the Center teaches the principles of good citizenship to thousands of people of all ages, religions and backgrounds each year. Our Center is one of the oldest facilities of its kind in the nation. It houses permanent and temporary exhibit space, archives, and a research library. It is a nonprofit organization supported by tax-exempt donations, and is open to the public free of charge.” This is a must see for those interested in learning about the Holocaust. I visited a Concentration Camp located in Dachau, Germany in the 1980s, and in comparison, I was quite impressed with the information available at the Memorial Center.
The Heritage Museum is located in the restored 1918 Atlantic Coast Line Railway Depot building, in Winter Garden, a western suburb of Orlando. The museum includes Native American artifacts, photographs, and railroad memorabilia dating back to early days of settlement. And what Florida museum would be a local history museum without showcasing the citrus industry. The Heritage Museum includes one of the largest collections of citrus labels in the state.
