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
Around the Museum Blog
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09
Apr
Read more aboutOrlando siblings Buddy and Vilma Ebsen make it big as professional dancers and perform in their hometown in 1940.
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01
Apr
How Spring Baseball Came to Florida
Read more about How Spring Baseball Came to FloridaWith reliable rail travel and emergent automobiles and airplanes, the distance between sunny Florida and baseball’s best teams shrank almost yearly in the early 20th century.
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22
Mar
A Rare Bird: The Art and Life of Joy Postle
Read more about A Rare Bird: The Art and Life of Joy PostleBy re-interpreting nature with her own artistic flair, Joy Postle – artist, champion of wildlife, poet, traveler, and free spirit – turned a spotlight on the natural Florida that would be carelessly threatened during her lifetime by unchecked development.
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03
Mar
Mabel Norris Reese: Fearless Voice for Truth
Read more about Mabel Norris Reese: Fearless Voice for TruthMabel Norris Reese began her life career in journalism in Akron, Ohio, where she first worked as a reporter for the Akron Times-Press and, from 1935 to 1941, as a reporter for the Akron Beacon-Journal. In 1947, she and her husband, Paul, bought the Mount Dora Topic newspaper.
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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.