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