Orange County Regional History Center facts for kids
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| Established | 1942 |
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| Location | 65 East Central Boulevard Orlando, Florida |
| Type | History museum |
The Orange County Regional History Center is a cool place to learn about the past! It's a non-profit museum in downtown Orlando, Florida, United States. This means it's run by a group that uses its money to help the museum, not to make a profit. The museum is inside the old Orange County Courthouse, which is a historic building. It has five floors filled with exhibits that show the history of the local area, going back 2,000 years!
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The History of the History Center
The story of the History Center starts a long time ago. In 1892, a red-brick courthouse was built in Orlando. Later, in 1927, a new, grander building was added. This is the building where the History Center is today! It became the main courthouse.
When the old red-brick courthouse was taken down in 1957, people wanted to make sure history wasn't forgotten. So, a historical group was formed. In 1976, the Orange County Historical Museum opened. This was the first step toward the History Center we know now.
The 1927 courthouse stopped being used as a courthouse in 1995. Community leaders then decided it would be perfect for a bigger, regional history museum. After some work, the Orange County Regional History Center officially opened its doors in September 2000.
Building the Historic Courthouse
The building itself has an interesting past. It was built for almost $1 million by Murry S. King, Orlando's first registered architect. Construction started in May 1926, and the building was ready by October 12, 1927. Sadly, Murry S. King passed away before it was finished, so his son, James B. King, completed the work. Did you know the top floor used to be the jail? It even had rooms for the jailor and his wife, plus a small hospital area.
The Joseph L. Brechner Research Center
The Orange County Regional History Center has a special library and archives called the Joseph L. Brechner Research Center. It's on the fifth floor of the museum. This center is free for everyone to use, but you need to make an appointment first.
The center was created thanks to a gift from Marion Brody Brechner. She wanted to honor her husband, Joseph L. Brechner, who was a famous journalist. He believed strongly in freedom of information.
This research center holds many special collections from the Historical Society of Central Florida. It's like a treasure chest of information about the area's past, with more than 5,000 books and many historical documents.
What You Can See: Exhibits
The History Center has different kinds of exhibits. Some are "traveling exhibitions," which means they visit for a while and then move on. Others are "permanent exhibitions," which are always there for you to explore. The museum's collections are spread across three of the five floors. On the first floor, you'll find the main entrance and the gift shop. The Joseph L. Brechner Research Center is on the fifth floor.
Fun Ways to Learn: Educational Programs
The History Center offers many cool programs for students and families:
- History on the Go: This free program visits schools in Orange County. It teaches about Central Florida history through plays and puppet shows. Teachers also get materials to help them connect the programs to what students are learning in class.
- Home School Days: These programs are made just for students who are homeschooled and their families. It's a great way to learn together!
- School Break Camps: The History Center offers camps when school is out. There's a four-day Holiday Break Camp during winter break for kids aged 6 to 10. They also have a Summer Camp that lasts nine weeks for kids entering Grades 1-9.
