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