ORANGE COUNTY REGIONAL HISTORY CENTER
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This article about the Orange County Regional History Center is by Greg May of Orlando, Florida.
Every great city has a museum, and Orlando is no exception.
When Orange County completed their towering courthouse complex in recent years, the Orange County Regional History Center found a new home in the original courthouse building that was constructed in 1927.
Learning about Florida's history is fun at this museum. Upon entering the spacious lobby, you find yourself gazing upward as Florida wildlife, artifacts and other memorabilia representing 12,000 years of Florida history are suspended from the ceiling like an Alexander Calder mobile.
The four levels of the History Center showcase Florida's history with First Peoples, European First Contact, Florida Seminoles and Florida in the Civil War. Florida's Pioneer heritage, with exhibits of cattle raising and citrus growing is in marked contrast to Destination Florida: Tourism Before Disney.
Visitors can enjoy a self-guided Audio Tour of the Museum free of charge with admission at the Guest Services desk. It is a pleasant and economical alternative to the many better known Orlando Florida tourist attractions.
The Orange County Regional History Center is celebrating its 10th year downtown with a series of exhibits and events that have contributed to the reputation of the Museum.
Beginning February 5 - June 12, 2011 is FLORIDA IN THE CIVIL WAR. You can try on uniforms, listen to music of the era and learn how Florida overcame adversity to ship salt and beef to the Confederacy and how the State's citizens survived the Union blockade of its coastline.
The CIVIL WAR EXPERIENCE on Sunday, April 10, 2011 from 1-4:30pm presents reenactments with people of the era as you travel through time into the 1860's. You can actually ask slaves about their experiences and compare their reflections with free African Americans of the period.
Nostalgia enthusiasts will enjoy RETRO GAME NIGHT Friday, June 3, 2011. Classic board and video games will be available throughout the Museum such as Pictionary, Clue, Battleship, CandyLand and Twister. There will be free nostalgic treats; $1-$2 pizza and a cash bar 7pm-midnight. This event is free for Historical Society Members. $5 at the door for non-members. Retro attire is encouraged. Retro Game Night is for ages 18 and up.
Journey through time to discover the evolution of electronic games beginning July 2 - September 10, 2011 with GAMES PEOPLE PLAY: The Evolution of Video Games. Beginning with the pinball machine and the rise and fall of the arcade to the first computer games, this presentation will fascinate everybody as it showcases the key developments in game and console technology.
The Orange County Regional History Center is located at 65 E. Central Blvd. in downtown Orlando. Tourists visiting other Orlando Florida tourist attractions will find easy access to the History Center's downtown location from the Historical District exits on I-4.
Admission is $9 for adults; $7 for seniors (60+), military and students with I.D.; $6 for children ages 5-12; free for Historical Society Members and children 4 and younger.
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