Orange County Regional History Center

What a great experience! I am a local and randomly came here with my partner and we had a blast. There was an owl that came to visit that day

The Orange County Regional History Center is a welcoming, stimulating environment to learn all about Florida and Orlando history. As soon as I walked in, I was greeted by a very lovely girl at the front desk who was very helpful, I think her name was Riley. The immersive and educational exhibits allowed me to learn more about the state I’ve been living in my whole life and the city I spend most of my time visiting. Recommend for individuals of all ages!

I had a wonderful experience during my visit. The atmosphere was incredibly peaceful, with very few people around, which made it feel quite serene. It’s an ideal place for families looking to spend quality time together without the usual crowds. I highly recommend this destination for those seeking a calm and enjoyable outing with their loved ones.

Good museum to learn about local history. Some parts are overwhelming with too much information. Would like to see more interactive displays. It's relatively inexpensive to enter. You can self tour or have a decent tour.

Flew in from Texas, and ways look for unique historic spots in each state to visit. 4 floors in the old Court House was very interesting. They had quite a bit of hands on posts throughout the museum from top to bottom. Highly suggest starting on the 4th floor and work your way down. Shows roughly 14,000 years of history for the area. Deff will come back again next time im in Orlando!

A gem of a museum in the heart of downtown Orlando! This museum was converted from the old courthouse and boats a small but incredibly well-done set of displays about local history, from the first people groups to recent developments of Orlando and the state of Florida. Admission was 8 dollars and well worth it - both for the experience and for preserving the museum. The facilities were organized, clean, and easy to navigate. The displays were lively, detailed, and creatively assembled. The staff was courteous and kind.

This building was actually a courthouse which got converted into a museum later. They have preserved one of the rooms in pristine condition as well. The staff was very polite and friendly. There's a lot of interactive exhibits that included the history of native Americans. A whole section dedicated to music as well. You should expect to spend around 2 hours over here.

It's a museum where you will find exhibitions in 3 different floors. You will have the opportunity to see the court hall and explore the history of Orlando. There's a small shop to get nice souvenirs and handmade items.

Good museum to learn about local history. Some parts are overwhelming with too much information. Would like to see more interactive displays. It's relatively inexpensive to enter. You can self tour or have a decent tour.

Kicking myself for not being more of a tourist in my state. I accidentally discovered this place when I called my local library hoping they still had eclipse glasses left. They didn't but the librarian told me this place I'd never heard of was hosting a viewing event. I looked it up and the exhibits looked cool so we drove over. Cool is a total understatement. You start on the 4th floor where the earliest FL history began and work your way down floor by floor. The exhibits are SO creative and interactive for kids, especially on the 4th floor. They had a (I think traveling) exhibit on the 2nd floor about rock music adjacent to a thoughtful exhibit on Black history in Florida that I wish we'd had more time to appreciate. We came an hour before they closed so were rushing; I'd recommend 2-3 easily. I can't wait to go back way before close so I can explore more thoroughly. Admission was reasonable at $8/adult and $6/kid with discounts for military, educators, AAA, etc. Highly highly recommend for locals and tourists alike!

This museum had a lot of interesting information about the history of Orlando and its surrounding region. I learned about early settlers and, though I'm still not sure who they were, I learned about Crackers and their way of life. Oranges have always been an important part of Florida's trade, but there is also information about industry and cattle herding. Something I found a little jarring were the bizarre mannequins representing native Floridians and Crackers. I realize that they weren't moving, but every time I turned a corner, one of them was either staring at me or almost directly in my pathway! This was mostly on the 4th floor, so I was relieved not to see any of them on any other floor of the museum. The courtroom on the 3rd floor is rumored to have an historical piece of furniture that was relatively easy to spot. Of course, I don't know that I would have been looking for it if I hadn't known what it was. Of course, I'm talking about the (still unconfirmed) defense table used during the Ted Bundy trial in Orlando in 1980. The name "Ted Bundy" is etched in the side of the desk and, though you can't touch it, you can get very clear pictures of it. This was honestly the main reason for my visit. **Please note that it hasn't been confirmed as the actual table nor is it clear whether Bundy etched his name into the table or if someone else did it. On the 2nd floor, you'll find the musical history of Orlando between 1985 and 2001. All of the music playing was recorded or established in Orange County during those years. I saw posters for bands like Smashing Pumpkins, Black Flag, and the Misfits. There were a lot of interactive stations in the music area of this floor and I heard some cool music I hadn't known about previously. There's also a small African-American history section on the 2nd floor. It discussed the civil rights movement and what it was like as a person of color in Florida during those years. Overall, this was a good $8 spent to explore the history of Orange County. You should check it out but watch out for bizarre mannequins who will stare directly into your soul!

Came here on a Sunday and wanted to visit the History museum while visiting St. Patrick's Day festivities. For $6, this place is incredible and worth the money. It's probably cheaper, if you're a resident or a student. Great place to learn about Orlando Florida's history, from learning about the first settlers to stuff the city isn't proud of but acknowledges it's history with. Very well preserved courtroom. Highly recommend coming here and spend a few hours and indulge yourself into some rich history and insightful knowledge.

Went here for a friend's birthday party. She rented out their event space and it was a lovely evening. We toured the museum first then ended the night partying. I liked that we were checked in by a woman who worked for the museum. It made me feel safe and not just anyone was wondering in while we were celebrating my friend. She was able to have food catered, a bartender, and a photo booth. Their space was the perfect size. I even got a history lesson. It was perfect.

I had been meaning to visit for years and finally made it happen! The price is pretty affordable ($8 per adult) and you get to explore about 3 floors of exhibitions. Start at the 4th floor and make your way down, since early Florida history is shown and what evolved after goes toward the 3rd and 2nd floors. You start in the past and come to the future. It is a well kept museum and it will take you about 2 hrs to explore by reading what catches your eye. It is cool to get to learn how Florida started and how it evolved. If you like to get a bit of a history lesson, pay them a visit. Staff was nice and checked us in fast. We got a printed map and there are restrooms in each floor. There is no garage close to the museum, so you can do street parking or use any of the nearby garages.

We were greeted with a happy smile and welcoming voice. I was the plus 1 for my daughter's first FPRA "Florida Public Relations Association" event to experience and learn more about the history in Orlando and about the black history in Orlando since it is black history month. We were welcomed by board members introducing themselves and asking questions. They had a table with light appetizers and drinks and another table of the post card of what Orlando look like, magazine with more history that happened in the area, pamphlets of up coming event and tote to carry it all in. The event started right on time with the president thanking everybody for coming and welcoming all the new comers that were present and what was going to take place in the presentation. Pamela Schwartz " executive Director of the museum "did an excellent job giving us an overview of the last 500 yrs. Of black history in central Florida and where,what the future holds for the museum going in the direction of being more diverse, stories told from beginning to present, Stories told for kids to understand the hard stories that need to be told about history and ethnic groups to be included. Mind you this was a pinch of all the exciting, exhibition, periods rooms and public galleries to come. How exciting that this is wonderful place in our backyard. The third Thursday of every month from 5-8pm it is free to all and parking from 6pm on is free. Go enjoy a nice dinner with a bunch of friends and wonderful evening exploring and expanding your knowledge of the history in your city. The city helps subsidizes and the other half is non-profit. The price you pay for membership is cheap for all this Center offers. "Camps in the summer, private events, etc. Go expand, explore and enjoy.

I love that our museum hosts traveling exhibits! The Giants, Dragons, Unicorns exhibit from the American Museum of Natural History was interactive, interesting, & fun! The staff were so sweet. I actually got in for free because it was mother's day & I went with my kiddo. The other branches of the museum have interesting artifacts from Florida history & there are a few interactive displays. There is an area that mimics natural Florida. It's very cool, but if you're afraid of snakes try to avoid it because they have some on display. They look so real, it was a jump scare for me.

Today I went on a guided tour in downtown Orlando's regional history center. It is incredible to explore the places around you that offer so much historical insight. This five story museum presents local and regional history dating back to over 2,000 years. As a Florida local I found out so many interesting , informative and even exciting information as well as many contributions too Florida as we know today. This is great for all ages and they even have interactive opportunities for children. Our tour guide was also incredible and informative and provided a lot of knowledge! I wish I could remember her name but she's pictured here. There is a wide selection of history too choose from whether it is African American history, Aviation, Destination tourism(Disney before and after), central Florida at war, courtroom, cattle industry, natural environment and so much more! The prices are fair as they offer discounted admissions on groups, adults, students and children. If you're reading this and you're intrigued about Central Floridas history this is a great place too start !

This place was a hidden gem. Had some time to kill for a few hours. Based on some glowing reviews, I decided to make this my first stop at the trip. I spent so long taking everything in that I didn't have any time left for any other excursion that day and still had to run out early. This place has a TON to read and look at. It's basically three floors and some change. And it happens to be right next to a food truck / event boulevard, at least on the Saturday that I went. The place has a great selection. One of my favorite parts was the video interviews of modern day Indian reservations. There were some cool kid-friendly interactive parts around the museum. It was truly a gem. Especially for the price. I learned a ton about local history in a way that felt like I had been there rather than read about it. There were great big murals, videos, artifacts from the time, and stories everywhere. I walked out feeling more connected than ever to the land that I lived my whole life. Definitely make it over here if you're a Florida native and have any interest at all in Florida history.

My fiance and I won tickets to the Orange County Regional History Center during one of their virtual trivia nights, so we had another (besides the fact that we've been wanting to check it out for a couple of years now) reason to go. Even if we hadn't won the tickets, I would have gladly paid the $8.00 per adult admission price. Tucked in the middle of downtown Orlando, the Orange County Regional History Center is in the old Orange County Court House building (and you can see one of the court rooms that were preserved). The History Center has 4 floors of amazing Central Florida History and I learned a lot behind some of the individuals whose street names I drive down throughout the city. Being a huge Disney fan, my favorite exhibit was the Disney exhibit on the 3rd floor. I also loved seeing some of the old Florida souvenirs - some from attractions that no longer exist, like Cypress Gardens. There are bathrooms on each floor and museum staff are adhering to sanitation guidelines (as we are still in Phase II of the state's re-opening during the Coronavirus pandemic), hence why we cannot currently go into the old court room but only look at the moment. We definitely want to go back and see how the exhibits change as well as the new ones that come to be.

This place was so much fun. We came as a 1st grade field trip. I LOVED how organized it was. During this current trip, I was putting out small "fires" the whole time. "Walk. Hands off. Walk. Quiet voices. Walk. Raise your hand. One person at a time." I definitely need to come back on my own so I can read about all of the interesting history. For 1st grade tours they split you up into 5 groups/stations: 1) Museum discussion/explore: Life as a Seminole. Lead by Ms. Brewers. Super sweet museum staff. She told me her college roommate taught at my elementary school in 1959! 2) Make a Candle and "butter" - students sat at round tables in a small room avout it the size of a break room. 3) Courtroom - This was the original courtroom used. Loved that they kept it and are using it for learning. Students were given different roles (judge, plaintiff, jury, defendant, lawyer, etc.) and got to engage with an elementary-friendly trial. It was precious and fun! 4) Puppet Show - Learned about reptiles and mammals. The puppeteer did a great job interacting with the students as well as with show flow/ student management! 5) indoors- students got to learn about the various rooms of a pioneer home and build one with blocks. Then we had a few minutes to peruse the surrounding area that had Seminole statues, maps, a forest/swamp area with real-looking animals. The lady presenting was grumpy with the students :(, but overall an AWESOME experience.

With our museum NARM membership at the Dali, I learned that we could go to many museums for free. While in Orlando, I looked up the list. On Mondays, most ate closed. But this one was opened. What a wonderful find. Even without a membership, the most is low. Just like how West Palm Beach used it's old courthouse as a history museum, this one is similar. It has lots of information on central Florida. Currently, there is an compilation of black history on the second floor. "Just in time" history that parallels current voting events, and human rights. Well worth the drive Downtown, away from the tourist area of Orlando.

The Orlando Regional History Center is located in the old Neoclassical Orlando courthouse built in 1927. One of the most famous trials held here was for Ted Bundy. When the city outgrew the courthouse they built a new annex next door in 1960. In 1995 community leaders voted to make the 1927 courthouse a regional history museum. By this time the courthouse annex had been closed down due to asbestos. In 1998 it was torn down and Heritage Park was built on the site. The Orange County Regional History Center opened in the restored courthouse in 2000. Parking for the museum is available at the Central Boulevard garage across from the Orlando Public Library. There are four floors of exhibits starting from 12,000 years ago. The fifth floor houses the Joseph L. Brechner Research Center. The story of Florida's history in the museum starts with Native American settlements that turned into pioneer towns that raised cattle and farmed citrus. In the 1970's the tourist industry blossomed turning Florida into the vacation destination it is today. More current events like the shooting of Trayvon Martin, the trial of Casey Anthony,and the 2016 Pulse Nightclub mass shooting are also examined. Exhibits focus on African American history, aviation, the cattle and citrus Industries, the history of tourism in Florida, Florida's indigenous people, the first settlers, the environment, and the impact of the theme parks. One exhibit I really liked was the recreated court room. On one of the tables the name Ted Bundy has been carved. Whether it was actually by him is up for debate. In addition to the permanent collection, the museum also showcases special exhibits. They also offer camps, workshops, lectures, and activities. This museum is associated with the Smithsonian. The museum offers free admission on the third Thursday of each month from 6 to 9 PM. It will also offer free admission on April 4, 2020 for Museum Day. Regular adult admission is $8 but I saved money by purchasing a Groupon. That is a great, inexpensive activity. Lake Eola is nearby and there are a ton of great places to eat in the area. I highly recommend this fantastic museum.

Because I switched off on stroller duty with another family member, I didn't get to see as much of the Orlando Regional History Center as I liked. I was impressed that the History Center and the main library nearby opened their doors to families and young children as a way to get them interested in local and state history. Trick or Treat stations were set up throughout the center the Saturday before Halloween. Children were encouraged to look at the exhibits and participate in some hands-on projects. Staff cheerfully welcomed the children into the center. It was a fun time ! As much as I enjoyed seeing all the children in costumes (including my grandchildren!), I can't wait to come back to visit the center when it's a little quieter than a bustling Saturday morning.

This museum exceeded my expectations in every way. Amazing history lesson from 12000 years ago to today. But the real show stopper is the history of African Americans in Florida. From Spanish slavery to segregation and integration. It's amazing. I learned so much. I had no idea of the "black towns" that were created during segregation. I had no idea of the horrible support of the KKK here through the years. The small KKK and lynching section is stunning. This section alone should be required by all high school students in Orange and surrounding counties. A total gem of the area and everyone should go once and learn. The Seminole history is also eye opening. Can I say it any better? GO!

Really neat history museum that rotates exhibits. Lucked out on a free admission day and appreciated the history lessons and reminder. 10/10 worth the time

We visited the history museum on Museum Day (free admission). The staff members were welcoming and friendly. We started on the fourth floor (oldest Florida history) and worked our way down. There are four total floors of exhibits from Native American Florida to modern day Florida. The visit is great for anyone interested in Florida (specifically Central Florida) history. It's a pretty quick museum. We finished in about an hour.

Went there for the Pulse Memorial exhibit, it was very insightful plus the admission to the place was free for the day. I only checked the Pulse and the Orlando African American Heritage exhibits in the second floor mostly for lack of time. The time I was there I enjoyed it very much and was deeply moved. Loved it

Interesting exhibits here: I got to see a deconstruction of many electronics and machines, and also some pottery. On the permanent exhibit, I didn't really see anything memorable. The location is a historic building, and I also thought that this was pretty cool. This old courthouse also has kept one of the court rooms alive, which is not something I would ever want to see, but I guess kids would find it interesting.

Great history spot with rotating exhibits and retro game night. Also hosted One Orlando exhibit which featured various items found at Pulse nightclub itself, or artwork done to remember the victims. Very moving exhibit, nicely done. . . They even thought to provide tissues, and I appreciate the upbeat music to balance the heaviness. Complimentary entrance with Bank of America "museums on us." Well done!

A really awesome way to see the past, present and future of Orange County and Florida as a whole. We've been to several events held here, and just to visit the center itself. You'll have to find parking nearby at a garage or lot , since they don't have their own onsite parking. You can usually find parking for just a few bucks though, so no big deal. Just be sure to include it in your timeline for arriving if you are headed to an event. There are several floors at the center, and each one is themed differently. Personally I love the overall vibe of the place. When you walk in you can literally feel the history of the building itself. The courtroom is an area I could spend all day in, it's just an awesome place to look at. They do offer wedding packages and other event packages here, so be sure to check them out if you are looking for a fun and unique venue. They hold wedding planning conventions here so you can see what the look / feel will be for your big day if you wanted to get a better idea. Overall: A Great historic center to check out Florida's unique story.

Spent the afternoon here today with my husband for National Museum Day. Got an invitation through Yelp... had no idea there was such a thing to celebrate this day. Anyway... when I got the invite through my email... there was a list of museums to choose from where you and 1 guest can come in for free today. After doing my research, we decided to go to the Orange County Regional History Center. For one, it looked pretty interesting with all the pictures and two.. it had the most stars. Located in the heart of downtown Orlando. We did the 2 hour parking across the street. Got there about 3pm and left at 5pm. I highly recommend spending more than 2 hours here. Lots of information to take in. There's a ton of things we did not know about central Florida. From the history of the Seminoles, citrus groves, Dr Phillips, slavery, the old courthouse, Pulse Memorial, sinkholes---- there's a lot to know about Central Florida. As soon as you enter the museum, they tell you to start with the 4th floor and work your way down. Good thing I brought my phone and took pictures ... there was no way I could remember everything. This is a pretty amazing museum--- great for learning about Orlando and all of Central Florida- past, present, and future. Perfect for couples date and fun for the family

As a non-Orlando native & a history buff, the History Center is one of my favorite places to take friends visiting from out-of-town. There is much more to Orlando than the theme parks, and this awesome museum is a great way to prove that to both visitors and locals! At only $8 admission, this attraction is a steal for history and museum buffs. Take your time to explore the 3 floors of Central Florida history either on your own or with the help of an audio guide you can request to have. You're going to learn a lot of cool stuff, plus they have rotating exhibits that come in periodically to keep you coming back in to explore. The gift shop is also my go-to place to shop for when I need trinkets, postcards, and other random gifts to send to friends from out-of-town. I like to recommend the gift shop to anyone working downtown for the convenience & selection of Old Florida items. Try taking advantage of the beautiful courtyard out front to take the scenery in. I love sitting on the giant stones on my lunch breaks to people watch & decompress.

Took a bunch of 4th graders here on a field trip yesterday. We all had a fun time there. Our first stop was a Florida Pioneer Village where a Pioneer Woman gave us a rundown of her usual day. Between catching squirrels, keeping the flies away, churning butter, cooking dinner, and growing crops they had a very hard life. The actress that played The Pioneer Woman was very entertaining and us lots of great information . We learned that very long ago cattle and citrus were the two main industries in Florida. The kids were very entertained throughout the whole tour. Their favorite part was when they got to make a candle out of beeswax and make their own butter. They each got a little plastic container with cream in it and shook it like crazy for a minute and it turned into butter. They got to eat with Saltine crackers. They were all pretty amazed that that was how you made butter. They also took us to the first courtroom in Orlando. The kids got to do a mock trial and play different parts. They they had a trial of somebody that was accused of stealing cattle long ago. They had lots of fun and learned a lot in the process. It was a really fun field trip and the only thing that could use improving is their gift shop. It's really tiny and although their things are reasonably priced I bet if they had a few more items in there they do a lot better in sales. All in all it's a great place to take your kid to learn about some historical facts about Florida in a fun way. Very inexpensive as well.

I love Retro game night! This was my fourth time! And I signed up for an annual pass. Even more excited for their upcoming events and exhibits. The history center has something for everyone! I love that they are in an old courthouse too. There are several floors and rooms to explore. The staff has always been friendly, knowledge and welcoming.

This place was awesome, first visit for an auction of props to raise money for the museum. Spacious with lots to look at, parking was limited so had to park and walk. Bathrooms were clean, the place was very cool and had an old feeling to it, in a nice way. Staff was helpful and attentive. Very nice place to visit and enjoyed the auction immensely

I had the pleasure of attending a retro game night hosted recently by the History Center. While I've never been to the center for its historical attributes, I will say that they do an exceptional job hosting events. At the retro game night, for only $5 you get 4 floors of retro games such as Parcheesee, Pictionary, Life, Monopoly and even Mystery Date. On top of the cheap admission price, they had costumed characters parading around with baskets of free snacks and inexpensive refreshments ($1 soda, $2 beer and $3 wine). I didn't get to enjoy the historical attributes of the center, I did take in the beauty of the inside architecture. A stone stairway in the center of the building leads you from one floor to another. Each floor and room takes on its own individual persona with the old court room being decked out from floor to ceiling in beautiful hardwood. Definitely a hidden gem in downtown Orlando. If you have the opportunity, visit the History Center. You'll be glad you did.

One of my favorite things to do on a Saturday after grabbing lunch at Wall St. There are three floors to explore and check out exhibitions documenting 12,000 years of Central Florida history. It's pretty dope and always cool to see where you live (or are visiting) came about. They also have national exhibitions they feature that are scattered throughout the year. One of my favorite exhibitions they had here was the exhibits of "old school" toys - it was so fun playing original Nintendo again! They had a mound of Legos, Barbies, race cars, Etch-a-sketch...it was so fun running around and trying everything, such a good time! They also have brilliant exhibits, like a tribute to the most amazing National Geographic photos. I had the pleasure of attending the opening party and it was such a nice surprise. Food, drinks, speeches and amazing performances by dancing and singing groups from all over the world. It was such a great experience and I can't wait to go to another opening event. The History Center sure knows how to put on a fun show! I have also attended a work event here a few years ago, we had our Christmas Party here and it was a great venue for a Casino night theme! Great venue to book for a dope party, keep in mind it's in the middle of downtown so the after party can continue at various places within walking distance, score! They also throw various events throughout the year - I can't wait to see what 2010 holds! Hats off History Center!!

Throughly enjoyed visiting The museum one afternoon. I remember when this building actually was a courthouse. I enjoyed the way they have this tour set up. The start of the top floor, and visit prehistoric Florida. then as you proceed down the floors, you move closer in time. You go through about 12,000 years of history from prehistoric, the present. Great for school children, and anyone else that wants to know what Orlando and Florida was before Walt Disney.

Let me say that, as a local, this place puts sooooo many things into historical perspective. You've heard these big names before but likely didn't know why they were important: Sanford, Dr. Phillips, Harry P Leu, Paramore, and Holden. Going about your day to day life you pick up on things but you never really have a full understanding of how anything came to be. This museum does such a good job at helping you along. To a history buff this place is pretty fascinating but I imagine a casual tourist or passerby wouldn't fully appreciate the whole exhibit. It's a neat museum. Sure it's not as big as other museums but I think it's just the right size. There are three floors of exhibits. There is so much information! We were there three (3) hours. We like to actually read what's on everything and take it all in. By the last floor we had to call it quits because we were hungry. So I don't want to give much away as that is the museum's job. I will say that you need to bring a jacket. Most of the sections are quite cold. The Courthouse is set at 68°F - I know because I looked at thermostat. Without further adieu, here is a small list of neat things I picked up today: - There is a section that explains sinkholes. The 1981 Winter Park sinkhole is exhibited. - There is a giant historical map of Florida on the central floor of one of the floors. I did NOT know that Apopka used to be spelled Ahapopka. Aha, meaning "Potato," and papka, meaning "eating place". Apopka = Potato eating place. Awesome! - In the late 1800s, Kissimmee used to have a drive-up saloon. The driver's didn't even have to dismount their horse to get drink. - I've always used the word "boughten" as to say "gotten" and "bought" at the same time. I didn't know that it was a regional word. I grew up in Florida but lived in California for a long time. I never stopped saying "boughten." Now I know that Florida Crackers used "storeboughten." How funny! - I shouldn't have been surprised that Mt. Dora was in the citrus business but I was. There are little nuggets you'll find here like I did. There's some stuff locals will laugh at because so much as changed since Central Florida was developed. Shoot, a ton has changed in the last decade. I'm still playing catch-up! If you are in town, go! Go and see what Central Florida used to be like before Disney. There is so much more to Florida than just theme parks. If you still aren't interested, then, well...go for the awesome air conditioning!

My family loves the History Center! Retro Game Night is always a blast. Best cheap date night downtown! They have this event every couple months, so keep an eye on their calendar. =) My son has volunteered at their summer camp for two years. It is a really fantastic camp. Every week has a different theme related to history or science. The programs are a great value and it is a great place for teens to volunteer! This past weekend I took the family to the annual Halloween Trick or Treat event. Each family received a small pumpkin to decorate. There were volunteers handing out candy throughout the building and there was a scavenger hunt for the kids to complete. This event is loads of fun (and free!) but you have to get there early because it gets packed.

I can't believe I've not been here sooner. I was definitely optimistic as its affiliated with the Smithsonian. I was attending to see the Pulse exhibit, but was pleased to see the history of this great place called Florida. It starts approximately 12 thousand years back and brings us to modern day. I would recommend for visitors and locals alike. I took the bus to Orange Avenue, however, parking is available at the library garage.

We decided to check out the Orange County Regional History Center on a recent Saturday afternoon because we heard about their "History of Video Games" exhibit. We also had an Entertainment Book coupon for 50% off admission. There are four floors of history within the center. One of the floors contains the old county courthouse. It's pretty neat to roam around inside and imagine what it was like a hundred years ago. The rest of the floors contain a history of Florida, from Native Americans all the way to modern day life. They even have a section devoted to the history of Disney in Florida, which they gave both the positives (jobs) and negatives (growth and destruction) of the theme park in the state. We were disappointed with the "History of Video Games" exhibit. It was tucked away in a corner of the center with a handful of decently working games (pinball, arcade games, and SNES). The exhibit itself was a lot smaller than we expected, especially since we decided to make a trip out to the center because of the exhibit itself. I actually enjoyed the other exhibitions better than this. On a side note, they have a venue inside the center that can be rented out for events. My previous employer hosted a "casino night" inside and it was a nice place to do it, although I don't believe we had access to the rest of the center during that time because it was not during business hours.

If you're interested in central florida history, then you might enjoy this spot. In truth, it is pretty well curated for a museum with such a narrow focus. But despite that, the museum is pretty boring and really trying to make something out of nothing. This place doesn't need to exist. I went her with my mom to bend to her will and she didn't even love it. Bottom line: Some eye candy in the old city hall still doesn't make this a worth while attraction.

Most major cities have places like this--places that house the unique tales and artifacts that make it one-of-a-kind. The Orange County Regional History Center is interactive, fun and most definitely cool. It's a comprised of 3 main floors that hold the history of Florida and then more specifically the Orlando area. Their exhibits touch on NASA, Walt Disney World, Seminoles, the Orange groves, civil rights, mosquitoes, just to name a few. Things change periodically and they also have built a replica of the historic courthouse that used to exist in that same building. It's interesting to visit because the defendant's table is real and has the name "Ted Bundy" scratched in it from when he was tried here. It's engaging for adults and grown-ups and won't break your bank. Go, learn, and take pictures if you like.

I came here to see the Pulse exhibit which is very nice. Beautiful artwork in the exhibit. The rest of the history museum is wonderful as well.

Adore this museum. Great exhibits in Orlando history as well as exceptional traveling exhibits. It's a museum that I could visit endless times and never tire of. I love that they have Disney history and that they held the Pulse tribute as well as an incredible Black History Month and election exhibit.

The Orange County Regional History Center is one of those Orlando institutions that you just have to do. We came here on a Sunday for a Boy Scout outing, and was just blown away. We were fortunate enough to get a 20 minute tour of old Florida by one of the awesome staff members. It really is amazing to hear about Florida history and see what Orlando was built on. There is a pretty big section on Disney. We also got to see a special Warner Bros exhibit that featured lots of old cels and art work. It is a little expensive, but you get to come back all day. So go to the center in the morning, grab some lunch and finish up after. Lots of great places to eat in walking distance.

This was my first visit to this well thought-out and beautifully constructed museum. The beautiful courtroom brought back memories of serving on a jury in that building many years ago. The most memorable parts: the "cracker" life; the impact of NASA, but even more, Disney, on the area; the ups and downs of the citrus industry; the Timucuan tribes. The tragic parts: The taking-away of land and relocation of the Seminole Indians. And although Florida didn't have many slaveholding plantations, take the time to read what life was like during slavery. And the African-American section - by all means read what life was like for African-Americans right here in Central Florida as late as the 1950s. I'm old enough to remember some of it.

I follow the Orange County History Center on Twitter and had the pleasure of knowing about the free admission this Saturday, and my first experience at this museum! I've seen this building before - it's behind Wall Street and Beer Fest has been held in front of it two years in a row now. But despite knowing EXACTLY where it was, I had never gone inside. First of all - the building is beautiful. Walk in, get a map and go straight up to the 4th floor. (We took the stunning marble staircase all the way up). Secondly - you can learn SO much and read about all of Central Florida's history, from 10k yrs ago to the current state, as you work your way back down the floors. Floor 4 tells the tail of the original humans in Florida and continues to Spanish, French and British settlers and their encounters with Native Americans. Then it moves into the Seminole tribe and how Crackers took over the area with cattle and citrus farms. There is tons to read about and learn on this floor. Floor 3 is dedicated to Orlando from 1920-ish and up, how it was populated by trains and steam boats, and then by Disney. There is also an extensive section on Tourism and the ways Central Florida was influenced by many wars. There is also a court room since the building apparently was the first court house. Floor 2 has a section on African American history in Florida and the kids zone (which looks super cool) And finally you're back on Floor 1 with the gift shop. Overall this is a great way to spend an afternoon out of the heat, and super educational. Many thanks to the free admission day guys! :)

My hubby and I are kind of history nerds and now that we have decided to stick around Orlando long term we thought it would be fun to learn more about the history of the central Florida area and the OCR History center was a PERFECT place to go for this. We got a BOGO deal as part of an industry worker discount but the gentleman at the front desk wasn't familiar with the deal (although its advertised alllll over their website) so just fyi they will honor the discount you just might want to print the deal online to show them to clear any confusion. The history center starts off with the earliest history of central Florida going through detail of the Native Americans in the area and the settlers that eventually came over. I really liked the section that talked about the Winter Park sinkhole- a piece of history i had heard about but was always curious for more info. Have you ever wondered why there seems to be cows EVERYWHERE around Orlando? If you visit the history center you'll find out why this is along with a ton of info on the more well known citrus industry that was king pre-Disney era. My other favorite exhibit was learning about how central Florida was involved with all of the wars our country has been engaged in since I never really remember hearing much about our contribution in the history books. Right now there is a travelling/temporary special exhibit about Universal Studios with a bunch of Halloween Horror nights info so that was a pretty cool edition too. Theres loads more at the center that I didnt even mention so if you are looking for something to do during a rainy day or a fun cheap activity then check this place out!

What can I say, as a once Orlando local, I have a soft spot for anything that isn't owned by a theme park. With that being said, there are exhibits here to satisfy the history buffs and theme park fanatics alike! This place offers an inexpensive, educational escape from the Central Florida sunshine. It's good for groups, or even a great place for a first date! My recommendation, make time when you're in the City Beautiful to come out and experience the offerings of this historical Orlando gem!

Educational, perspective-altering, entertaining, inexpensive, clean, hands-on, self-guided, great gift shop. Highly recommend the summer camp programs for kids!

What a wonderful museum. Very interactive. Three floors, lots to learn. My small children had a great time. Plan for at least two hours to make it through the entire museum, three if you'll be reading everything. Very clean. Seems very new. The exhibits are interesting and eye catching.

Great spot, very interesting stuff, love the local history. Fun special events like last weekend's Star Wars days complete with a storm trooper march.

I went for the Peanuts exhibit and LOVED It. The museum was FULL of interesting history about central Florida and I will definitely go back to soak it up. You could easily spend the better part of the day here, well worth the admission fee. It's in a great location as well, close to the library. I also thought the gift shop had tons of cool stuff. Their membership rates were also very affordable and they offer special programs for teachers.

Great place to get a feel of Orlando and Florida's past. Off the main tourist path. Not expensive, yet much to see. The accompanying free verbal tour was useful. Inexpensive parking. Two interesting facts for me. Origin of the use of "cracker" and Disney's first choice for the location of Disney World.

One of my favorite museums in Orlando. I prefer historical exhibits over artwork, and the History Center is perfect. It's so great to learn about local history, and their traveling exhibits are usually top notch (I loved the Peanuts comic one). The old courtroom where Ted Bundy carved his name was really neat, as was the area on "cracker" history. And last but not least, the History Center is worth more than the price of admission: free!