Orange County Regional History Center hosts a regular scheduled calendar of programs for the community, together with an exciting selection of visiting exhibitions.
The Orange County Regional History Center, housed in a historic courthouse in the heart of downtown Orlando, offers four floors of exhibits exploring 12,000 years of Central Florida’s rich heritage. A Smithsonian affiliate, the museum also offers visiting exhibitions and a wide range of programs for families, children, and adults.
Read on for October's highlights at the Orange County Regional History Center.
For more information about the upcoming exhibitions and programs, at the Orange County Regional History Center, please visit https://www.thehistorycenter.org.
October Programs At Orange County Regional History Center
October 4
Halloween time is a major deal in Central Florida. Theme parks large and small pull out all the stops to create scary, spine-tingling events that draw folks by the thousands in October. What started this tradition of spooky attractions in our area, and how have they evolved over time?
About the Speaker
Rachel Williams holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in History and Public History respectively from the University of Central Florida. She is currently the historian at the History Center where she works on various projects such as conducting oral histories and assisting the public in research projects.
October 5
Launch into a journey through the cosmos that will ignite your curiosity and imagination. Activities will look at the wonders of the universe, from the earliest astronomy observations to modern space exploration. Join us for a day filled with hands-on activities, interactive exhibits, and educational experiences that will engage all ages in the fascinating world of space.
Guided tours of the museum will be offered at 11:30 a.m. and 1 pm.
October 17 Third Thursday @ The Museum
The History Center is open late on the third Thursday of each month with four hours of free admission. Third Thursday @ The Museum is part of a wider event at various downtown Orlando venues organized by the Downtown Arts District celebrating arts, culture, and history through art exhibitions, live performances, drink specials, and more.
October 17
Celebrate Halloween early with us on Third Thursday! Join us for a magical evening as we screen the beloved 1986 movie classic Labyrinth, starring David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly. Feel free to embrace your whimsical side with a themed costume. Enjoy a night of fun and fantasy as we celebrate this spirited season.
Admission is free as part of Third Thursday, but registration is kindly requested.
October 20
Explore the histories and mysteries of sinkholes, spooky happenings, and more related to downtown’s iconic Lake Eola. Hands-on activities will help us learn why this centerpiece of Orlando’s landscape is both enchanting and a little bit haunting!
During Sensory Sunday we aim to provide a welcoming and comfortable experience for guests with autism spectrum disorder and sensory processing sensitivity. To do this we have adopted some basic accommodations, including access to a social narrative to help plan your visit, lowered or muted audio in exhibits, and limited use of flashing or moving lights. We also provide access to noise-reducing earmuffs, fidget/sensory toys, and a quiet space to utilize during your visit. Additionally, the History Center has created a variety of sensory-friendly activities available throughout the museum to engage a wide variety of guests with hands-on history learning.
October 26
Calling all ghosts and ghouls: it’s time for our annual Trick or Treat Safe Zone! Enjoy trick or treating throughout the History Center and the Orlando Public Library along with creepy crafts, candy, games, and more! Costumes encouraged but not required.
Free admission. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Visiting Exhibitions At Orange County Regional History Center
Through December 15, 2024
This year, pioneering media company Watermark commemorates three decades of dedicated service, championing the interests of the LGBTQ+ community throughout Florida. Cover Story: Celebrating Watermark’s 30 Years showcases some of the most memorable moments and important stories of those years. The exhibition features a retrospective of 30 of the publication’s most impactful covers, which illustrate the profound journey of LGBTQ+ history over the past three decades. Cover Story celebrates Watermark’s journey from a small paper advocating for increased visibility of diverse identities and issues into a multifaceted media company standing at the forefront of LGBTQ+ journalism in Florida.
July 13 – October 13, 2024
Central Florida has long been one of the world’s premier vacation destinations, featuring a wide range of accommodations for the travel-weary to rest their heads. From Orlando’s beloved San Juan and Angebilt hotels to lesser-known lodgings throughout the region, Home Away from Home: Historic Hotels of Central Floridafeatures the fascinating ephemera from hotels that have supported the tourism juggernaut we know today. This pocket exhibit also highlights the three original Walt Disney World resorts, credited with changing Florida tourism forever with the opening of Magic Kingdom in 1971.
So come on over and stay awhile – just don’t expect room service!
Now on display – held over!
Between 1985 and 2001, the Orlando concert promoter Figurehead invigorated the musical landscape in Central Florida. This special exhibition, Figurehead: Music & Mayhem in Orlando’s Underground, tells the story of how the company helped grow the local scene with a focus on underground rock music and the club circuit. Utilizing the extensive Figurehead archive, now part of the Orange County Regional History Center’s permanent collection, the exhibition showcases an impressive display of eye-catching and jaw-dropping concert posters that capture the energy and drive of this era. Musical acts featured include Black Flag, Jonathan Richman, and Drivin N Cryin, hometown favorites Seven Mary Three and Rob Thomas, and many more.
Figurehead: Music & Mayhem in Orlando’s Underground provides a glimpse into what made this time in the Orlando area so memorable – the bands and the clubs, the community and the chaos.
The History Center is located in the restored 1927 courthouse at Magnolia Avenue and Central Boulevard in the heart of downtown Orlando. Parking is available in the Library Parking Garage at 112 E. Central Blvd. across from the Orlando Public Library.
For more information about the upcoming exhibitions and programs, at the Orange County Regional History Center, please visit https://www.thehistorycenter.org.
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