Orange County Regional History Center

Museum with 14,000+ years of Central Florida history, special exhibits, and educational programs. #HistoryHappensHere Social media policy:

[Orange County Regional History Center @HistoryCenterFL]

Happy #WorldBicycleDay! 1973: Orlando inventor Aaron Fechter built the “Jutta” from lawnmower/motorcycle/car/bike parts. He also made Rock-afire Explosion. Iconic FL history.
#OrangeCountyFL #OrlandoHistory

[Orange County Regional History Center @HistoryCenterFL]

Restaurants like Nasseve’s were more than just places to eat—they were community spaces sharing Caribbean culture with Central Florida. Founded in 1991 by Elizabeth Drumwright & Nasseve Cameron, it left a lasting legacy in Parramore. ❤️

#CaribbeanAmericanHeritageMonth #Orlando

[Orange County Regional History Center @HistoryCenterFL]

#OnThisDay, June 1, 1964, Orlando’s public pools and lake beaches opened on an integrated basis without incident. Weeks later, the nation watched as civil rights protesters faced violence in a St. Augustine swimming pool. The next day, the Senate advanced the Civil Rights Act.

[Orange County Regional History Center @HistoryCenterFL]

Performer Puni Nani dances with feathered ‘uli‘uli, a traditional Hawaiian percussion instrument, celebrating culture and heritage. Organized by the Asian-Pacific American Heritage Council of Central Florida, the event united communities through music, dance, food, and tradition.

[Orange County Regional History Center @HistoryCenterFL]

June 11 marks 70 years of WESH 2. Launched in 1956 in Holly Hill as an indie station, its 300-ft tower only reached Volusia County. Named for founder W. Wright Esch. Photo: WESH display at Central FL Fair with Bonanza’s Dan Blocker “Hoss” + a Bill Baer’s TV ad in the corner.

[Orange County Regional History Center @HistoryCenterFL]

Celebrating 139 years of Lake County with Clermont’s Citrus Tower! Built 1956 by Thomas Rossell, this 226-ft landmark once overlooked endless orange groves. Disney & new roads hurt attendance, but after renovations it’s still open daily. Coffee shop downstairs, 360° views up top.

[National Air and Space Museum @airandspace]

Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, was born #OTD in 1951.

Before joining NASA she earned a Ph.D. in physics and in 1978 was selected as a scientist-astronaut in a new role called Mission Specialist. Learn more about her life and legacy: https://t.co/g81sovsG1M

[Orange County Regional History Center @HistoryCenterFL]

School is out tomorrow for Orange County Public Schools! Do you still need summer plans for your student? Check out Adventures in History Summer camp for ages 6-11. It’s not too late to sign up, but spots are filling fast. Visit our website to learn more.
https://t.co/LjDAhQwbzw

[Orange County Regional History Center @HistoryCenterFL]

Here in Orlando, Greenwood Cemetery holds veterans from the Civil War to modern conflicts. Visitors still come to its quiet, green grounds to honor their service and sacrifice. #MemorialDay #GreenwoodCemetery #DiscoverYourHome #OrangeCountyFL

[Orange County Regional History Center @HistoryCenterFL]

Long before Memorial Day meant the start of summer, it was a solemn day to honor those who died in military service. Known originally as Decoration Day, it began May 30, 1868, when flowers were laid on Union and Confederate graves at Arlington National Cemetery.

[Orange County Regional History Center @HistoryCenterFL]

Dec. 13, 1990: POW Su Le embraced by mom Nhan at Orlando Airport. From post-1975 refugee arrivals to Mills 50's Little Vietnam, these reunions helped shape Orlando.

#AANHPIHeritageMonth #DiscoverYourHome
Courtesy Orlando Sentinel Collection

[Orange County Regional History Center @HistoryCenterFL]

Orlando Fringe Festival wraps its 35th year this weekend at Loch Haven Park. Unjuried, lottery-chosen artists keep 100% of ticket sales. Theatre, art, kid-friendly shows & free outdoor concerts thru Monday night. 🎟️ #OrlandoFringe

[Orange County Regional History Center @HistoryCenterFL]

Image shows Louise C. Wilmot, commander of the Naval Training Center in Orlando, and the highest-ranking woman in the United States Navy before she retired in 1994.

[Orange County Regional History Center @HistoryCenterFL]

The History Center is proud to part of Blue Star Museums – a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense and museums across the nation to offer free admission to the nation’s active-duty military personnel thru Labor Day.

[Orange County Regional History Center @HistoryCenterFL]

Uso's Polynesian Entertainment help us to celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Plus, the first 100 guests will receive free shaved ice from Citrus Street Shaved Ice!

[Orange County Regional History Center @HistoryCenterFL]

School's out, and summer is here! Join us for a FREE Sensory Sunday: Summer Soiree on Sunday, May 24, from 12 - 4 p.m. at the History Center. Families can enjoy a sensory-friendly afternoon with hands-on activities, bubbles, glitter tattoos, and a Polynesian dance performance.

[State Library of FL @StateLibraryFL]

#OTD in 1955, educator, philanthropist, and civil rights activist Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune passed away. She started @bethunecookman and was the only African American woman to hold an official position with the US delegation that created the United Nations charter. @FLMemory

[Orange County Regional History Center @HistoryCenterFL]

Today, the History Center advances its mission through wide-ranging programs, permanent exhibits, and limited-run exhibitions from prestigious institutions across the country. #InternationalMuseumDay #DiscoverYourHome #OrangeCountyFL

[Orange County Regional History Center @HistoryCenterFL]

The Orange County Regional History Center traces its origins to a small historical exhibit installed in 1942 at the 1892 Orange County Courthouse (torn down in the '50s). That display sparked a broader mission to preserve and share Central Florida’s continually unfolding story.

[Orange County Regional History Center @HistoryCenterFL]

In 1976, the museum found its first permanent home with the opening of the Orange County Historical Museum in Loch Haven Park. In 2000, the History Center returned downtown to occupy the restored 1927 Orange County Courthouse, just yards from the site of its original exhibit.