| Exploring Orlando "Off the Beaten Path" has been the | | | | Florida's African American community. From a replica |
| theme for our trip and I intend to explore the Central | | | | World War II B-17 bomber and a two-story dome |
| areas of the Sunshine State, and flush out all those | | | | featuring over 150 unique Central Florida icons to the |
| unexpected and unconventional destinations in and | | | | restored 1927 Courtroom B, and the outdoor Heritage |
| around Orlando. In my discoveries of Orlando, I have | | | | Square courtyard, a wealth of fascinating sights and |
| been working closely with the Orlando Visitor and | | | | experiences awaits visitors to the History Center.Our |
| Convention Bureau, to get the input of local experts | | | | first stop in the museum was the Orientation Theatre. |
| and work out an itinerary for our two weeks in Florida, | | | | Set as a Florida back porch, you can relax in a rocker |
| without setting foot once into a theme park.One of the | | | | while being surrounded by the sights and sounds of |
| first places they suggested was the Orange County | | | | Central Florida. Right after our introduction to Central |
| Regional History Center, home to the varied and | | | | Florida's history we had a chance to meet Shanon |
| extensive collections of the Historical Society of | | | | Larimer, spokesperson for the Museum, who gave us |
| Central Florida. Located in the heart of downtown | | | | a great overview of this facility.The exhibits feature |
| Orlando in the beautifully restored five-story Orange | | | | many interactive displays and Shanon, our museum |
| County Courthouse, The History Center is continuously | | | | expert, indicated that new exhibits offering even more |
| distinguished as the area's "Best Museum". When the | | | | interactive features will be coming on stream shortly. |
| History Center was built as a courthouse in 1927, the | | | | We particularly enjoyed Courtroom B, an authentic |
| jail was on the top floor, with quarters for the jailer and | | | | courtroom that is part of this former Orange County |
| his wife, an infirmary, and separate cellblocks for white | | | | Courthouse, with furnishings and decorations dating |
| women, white men, black women and black men.With | | | | back to 1927. One of the benches in the front has an |
| an exciting roster of ever-changing exhibits on display | | | | inscription "Ted Bundy", indicating this infamous criminal |
| and travelling exhibits on loan to other facilities, The | | | | may indeed have been sitting here on this very |
| History Center is one of Central Florida's premier | | | | wooden bench in the past. Bundy was in fact tried in |
| attractions. Members, educators and visitors alike find a | | | | the former Annex to the 1927 Orange County |
| wealth of fascinating information, delivered in dynamic | | | | Courthouse, but historians still debate the authenticity of |
| fashion. From guided tours and "hands-on history" | | | | the signature. The seat backs of the prisoners' |
| events to fun-packed summer camps and interactive | | | | benches are all scuffed up with markings of the |
| children's programs, learning is fun for all ages. History | | | | handcuffs that tied their hands behind their |
| Center members can take advantage of a number of | | | | backs.Shanon also showed us a very famous |
| special value-added benefits, including discounts and | | | | friendship doll that was given to the United States by |
| exclusive event opportunities. The stately facility is also | | | | the Japanese. Every year hundreds of visitors come |
| available for event rentals, ranging from unparalleled | | | | from Japan and visit the History Center, with the |
| conferences to unforgettable weddings.The First | | | | specific intention of seeing this friendship doll.The |
| People exhibit takes visitors back in time to see how | | | | Historium gift store sells memorabilia, books and |
| Paleo-Indians lived in the days before European | | | | souvenirs while the Educational Program's office |
| Contact. First Contact helps visitors imagine Native | | | | offers a wide range of programs and activities for |
| American's reaction and the changes in their lifestyles | | | | children of all ages as well as tours, workshops and |
| due to the arrival of the Spanish. A recreated early | | | | lectures for adults. Ongoing special events include a |
| 19th century Seminole Settlement provides a look at | | | | Third Thursday themed evening event and a Saturday |
| artifacts of Florida's most famous tribe and a replica | | | | morning Farmer's Market staged in the lush Heritage |
| Florida Pioneer cabin lets curious guests test a Spanish | | | | Square courtyard in front of the building.Fortunately for |
| moss-filled mattress and discover the much-discussed | | | | visitors not just hungry for historical insights, there are |
| origin of the term "Florida Cracker".Other permanent | | | | ample dining opportunities right outside the Museum. |
| exhibits include Cattle and Citrus, Central Florida's first | | | | Wall Street Plaza, which abuts the History Center, |
| major industries, Tourism, Transportation, Real Estate, | | | | features eight bars and restaurants lining a brick-paved |
| Aviation, the impact of Walt Disney, and Central | | | | pedestrian sidewalk. |