| Exploring Orlando "Off the Beaten Path" has | | | | Real Estate, Aviation, the impact of Walt |
| been the theme for our trip and I intend to | | | | Disney, and Central Florida's African |
| explore the Central areas of the Sunshine | | | | American community. From a replica World War |
| State, and flush out all those unexpected and | | | | II B-17 bomber and a two-story dome featuring |
| unconventional destinations in and around | | | | over 150 unique Central Florida icons to the |
| Orlando. In my discoveries of Orlando, I have | | | | restored 1927 Courtroom B, and the outdoor |
| been working closely with the Orlando Visitor | | | | Heritage Square courtyard, a wealth of |
| and Convention Bureau, to get the input of | | | | fascinating sights and experiences awaits |
| local experts and work out an itinerary for | | | | visitors to the History Center.Our first stop |
| our two weeks in Florida, without setting | | | | in the museum was the Orientation Theatre. |
| foot once into a theme park.One of the first | | | | Set as a Florida back porch, you can relax in |
| places they suggested was the Orange County | | | | a rocker while being surrounded by the sights |
| Regional History Center, home to the varied | | | | and sounds of Central Florida. Right after |
| and extensive collections of the Historical | | | | our introduction to Central Florida's history |
| Society of Central Florida. Located in the | | | | we had a chance to meet Shanon Larimer, |
| heart of downtown Orlando in the beautifully | | | | spokesperson for the Museum, who gave us a |
| restored five-story Orange County Courthouse, | | | | great overview of this facility.The exhibits |
| The History Center is continuously | | | | feature many interactive displays and Shanon, |
| distinguished as the area's "Best Museum". | | | | our museum expert, indicated that new |
| When the History Center was built as a | | | | exhibits offering even more interactive |
| courthouse in 1927, the jail was on the top | | | | features will be coming on stream shortly. We |
| floor, with quarters for the jailer and his | | | | particularly enjoyed Courtroom B, an |
| wife, an infirmary, and separate cellblocks | | | | authentic courtroom that is part of this |
| for white women, white men, black women and | | | | former Orange County Courthouse, with |
| black men.With an exciting roster of | | | | furnishings and decorations dating back to |
| ever-changing exhibits on display and | | | | 1927. One of the benches in the front has an |
| travelling exhibits on loan to other | | | | inscription "Ted Bundy", indicating this |
| facilities, The History Center is one of | | | | infamous criminal may indeed have been |
| Central Florida's premier attractions. | | | | sitting here on this very wooden bench in the |
| Members, educators and visitors alike find a | | | | past. Bundy was in fact tried in the former |
| wealth of fascinating information, delivered | | | | Annex to the 1927 Orange County Courthouse, |
| in dynamic fashion. From guided tours and | | | | but historians still debate the authenticity |
| "hands-on history" events to fun-packed | | | | of the signature. The seat backs of the |
| summer camps and interactive children's | | | | prisoners' benches are all scuffed up with |
| programs, learning is fun for all ages. | | | | markings of the handcuffs that tied their |
| History Center members can take advantage of | | | | hands behind their backs.Shanon also showed |
| a number of special value-added benefits, | | | | us a very famous friendship doll that was |
| including discounts and exclusive event | | | | given to the United States by the Japanese. |
| opportunities. The stately facility is also | | | | Every year hundreds of visitors come from |
| available for event rentals, ranging from | | | | Japan and visit the History Center, with the |
| unparalleled conferences to unforgettable | | | | specific intention of seeing this friendship |
| weddings.The First People exhibit takes | | | | doll.The Historium gift store sells |
| visitors back in time to see how | | | | memorabilia, books and souvenirs while the |
| Paleo-Indians lived in the days before | | | | Educational Program's office offers a wide |
| European Contact. First Contact helps | | | | range of programs and activities for children |
| visitors imagine Native American's reaction | | | | of all ages as well as tours, workshops and |
| and the changes in their lifestyles due to | | | | lectures for adults. Ongoing special events |
| the arrival of the Spanish. A recreated early | | | | include a Third Thursday themed evening event |
| 19th century Seminole Settlement provides a | | | | and a Saturday morning Farmer's Market staged |
| look at artifacts of Florida's most famous | | | | in the lush Heritage Square courtyard in |
| tribe and a replica Florida Pioneer cabin | | | | front of the building.Fortunately for |
| lets curious guests test a Spanish | | | | visitors not just hungry for historical |
| moss-filled mattress and discover the | | | | insights, there are ample dining |
| much-discussed origin of the term "Florida | | | | opportunities right outside the Museum. Wall |
| Cracker".Other permanent exhibits include | | | | Street Plaza, which abuts the History Center, |
| Cattle and Citrus, Central Florida's first | | | | features eight bars and restaurants lining a |
| major industries, Tourism, Transportation, | | | | brick-paved pedestrian sidewalk. |