Plan your visit
The Orange County Regional History Center, housed in a historic courthouse in the heart of downtown Orlando, offers four floors of exhibits exploring 12,000 years of Central Florida’s rich heritage. A Smithsonian affiliate, the museum also offers visiting exhibitions and a wide range of programs for families, children, and adults.
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Selections from the vast and varied collections of the Historical Society of Central Florida illustrate Central Florida’s fascinating past.
Explore our pastAs an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, the History Center presents limited-run exhibitions of great depth and insight.
On display nowConvenient parking options include the Central Boulevard garage across from the Orlando Public Library, the History Center’s neighbor.
How to find usAn Evolving Community Resource
The Orange County Regional History Center is working to build an even better experience while we continue to recover from the pandemic’s considerable effects on our resources. We’re deep in the exploration stages of fully renovating and updating our current exhibitions and seeking ways to expand the History Center.
Much has changed since the History Center opened more than two decades ago. We are honored by our national awards, Smithsonian Affiliation, and accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums, and have spent the past several years researching and growing our collection to better reflect the experience of our entire Central Florida community.
We also continue to offer more diverse programming and special exhibitions on topics we plan to include in our future visitor experience. This work takes thoughtful time and care, and we go forward with dedication to building strong relationships across the community and engaging in meaningful conversations. As always, we welcome your participation and encourage you to share your thoughts through our contact form.
Coming up: Lunch & Learns, Family Days, and more
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Upcoming Events
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The Historic Holiday Experience
December 13, 20244:00 pm - 9:00 pm -
Third Thursday @ The Museum
December 19, 20245:00 pm - 9:00 pm -
Retro Reels: Ernest Saves Christmas
December 19, 20246:00 pm - 8:00 pm -
Lunch & Learn: The Community Paper
January 3, 202512:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Around the Museum Blog
- 19 Nov
Learn how Fold3 can help you explore military records
Read more about Learn how Fold3 can help you explore military recordsMilitary records can give you valuable insight as you explore your family’s history. Orange County Library System can help you explore resources to do that as well as other genealogy research methods. Here’s listing of the classes they have available on the topic this month. For more information and to
- 28 Oct
Turn your Turkey Day into a genealogy research opportunity
Read more about Turn your Turkey Day into a genealogy research opportunityThe approach of the holidays will find us spending time with family and that provides a perfect opportunity to do some research on your family tree. Among Orange County Library Systems offerings this month is course that will prepare you to ask helpful genealogical questions at the Thanksgiving table. For
- 21 Oct
“I Like Orlando!” Lyndon Johnson’s Campaign Rolls in to Central Florida
Read more about “I Like Orlando!” Lyndon Johnson’s Campaign Rolls in to Central FloridaBy Travis Puterbaugh from the Fall 2024 edition of Reflections Magazine On the morning of Oct. 26, 1964, readers of the Orlando Sentinel woke up to a historic headline: “Welcome to Central Florida, Mr. President.” The occasion of President Lyndon Johnson’s visit to Orlando marked the first time that a
- 08 Oct
Equality from the Pulpit: The Rev. Marni Harmony
Read more about Equality from the Pulpit: The Rev. Marni HarmonyBy Justine Truc, 2024 University of South Carolina Oral History Fellow Fighting for racial equality and LGBTQ+ rights, the Unitarian Universalist Association has advocated fiercely for equal rights nationwide. After their merger in 1961, the American Unitarian Association and the Universalist Church of America formed the Unitarian Universalist Association, which
- 07 Oct
Historic Animals of Central Florida
Read more about Historic Animals of Central FloridaBumper stickers and water decals were once plentiful in gift shops at souvenir stands along the Florida roadside. One of the most popular was the Florida Marineland bumper sticker in the shape of a bottlenose dolphin. The History Center pays homage to that era with four new sticker designs for
What our visitors are saying about their experience
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I want to thank the staff at the History Center for my daughter’s experience this summer [at camp]. Every staff member has been kind, talented and prepared – and helped nurture my daughter’s love of invention and creation. She deeply enjoyed the program. Thank you!
Ximena Cordova Palma -
I just have to tell you what a spectacular time our classes had today! The kids talked about it all afternoon, and all of our teachers raved about it! How early is too early to book for next year?
Teacher Judy Lindquist, Andover Elementary School -
The exhibits were interesting and well put together. I particularly enjoyed all the information about Florida’s citrus industry. Exhibits focusing on tourism were a close second favorite. Staff was helpful, and we enjoyed the optional audio tour.
Halee Pearl -
Great local museum! Took our daughter when she was 3 and she loved it. She asked to go back and at 5 she loved it even more! If you live in central Florida, or are visiting, you really need to check it out!
Joanna Bond