Orange County Regional History Center

Overview

Located in the restored 1927 Orange County Courthouse in downtown Orlando, this museum traces Central Florida's history from the Timucua people through the citrus boom, the space age, and the rise of the theme park industry.

Highlights

• Heritage Square: Full-scale recreations of historic Orlando storefronts.
• Natural Environment Gallery: Florida ecosystems with a live beehive and alligator exhibit.
• Space Exploration: Artifacts from Cape Canaveral's early launches.

History

The courthouse itself, designed in Mediterranean Revival style by architect Murry S. King, served as Orange County's seat of government until 1997. It was converted into a museum in 2000.

Visitor Tips

• Tip 1: Don't miss the fourth-floor courtroom, restored to its 1927 appearance.
• Tip 2: The gift shop has excellent Florida-themed books and local history publications.
• Duration: 1–1.5 hours.