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 past
As an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, the History Center presents limited-run exhibitions of great depth and insight.
On display now
Convenient parking options include the Central Boulevard garage across from the Orlando Public Library, the History Center’s neighbor.
How to find us
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Upcoming Events
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Lunch & Learn: Breaking Her Story
March 5, 202112:00 pm - 1:00 pm -
Brechner Series: The Hispanic Heritage of Central Florida
March 7, 20212:00 pm - 3:00 pm -
Courthouse Cup Four-Person Golf Scramble
March 8, 20217:00 am - 3:00 pm -
Florida History SHEroes! Bessie Coleman
March 15, 202111:00 am - 12:00 pm
Around the Museum Blog
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08 Feb
Parramore’s Landmark Churches
Read more about Parramore’s Landmark ChurchesIn Orlando’s Parramore neighborhood, African Americans worshipped outdoors in brush arbors and stables while they saved funds to build proper churches, which served not only as places of worship but also as social centers, gathering places, and schools.
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02 Feb
The Wells’Built: Rich Echoes of the Past on South Street
Read more about The Wells’Built: Rich Echoes of the Past on South StreetNow, the hotel on South Street near Division Avenue – originally called the Wellsbilt – is home to the Wells’Built Museum of African American History and Culture.
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29 Jan
Becoming Florida: Discovering the People of Our State’s Past
Read more about Becoming Florida: Discovering the People of Our State’s PastThe year 2021 marks 200 years since Florida’s American era began. Join us as we explore the histories of the people who inhabited Florida before it became a United States territory.
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13 Jan
Windover: Prehistoric Past Revealed at Ancient Pond Cemetery
Read more about Windover: Prehistoric Past Revealed at Ancient Pond CemeteryExplore the discovery and excavation of one of the most important archaeological sites in North America: the 7,000-year-old pond cemetery known as Windover.
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05 Jan
Ben White Raceway: The Training Capital of Harness Racing
Read more about Ben White Raceway: The Training Capital of Harness RacingTrotters Park was once Ben White Raceway, at one time the largest training facility for harness racing in the United States and the winter home of championship harness races and racehorses.
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