Orange County Regional History Center

05/30/2026

In this photograph from an Asian-Pacific cultural festival at Lake Eola in 1982, performer “Puni Nani” dances with feathered ‘uli’uli, a traditional Hawaiian percussion instrument, in a moment of celebration and cultural expression.

The event was organized by the Asian-Pacific American Heritage Council of Central Florida, which had formed just a few years earlier to support and represent the region’s diverse Asian American communities. It brought together performances, food, and traditions that highlighted music, dance, and shared cultural heritage.

Scenes like this reflect how community, culture, and visibility came together in the heart of Orlando.



Courtesy Orlando Sentinel Collection

05/29/2026

On June 11, NBC affiliate WESH 2 will celebrate 70 years of broadcasting. WESH launched as an independent station in Holly Hill with a transmitter tower that was about 300 feet tall, which limited the coverage mostly to Volusia County. The station gets its call letters from the last name of businessman W. Wright Esch, who is considered its founder.

This undated photo shows a WESH marketing display at the Central Florida Fair. Behind the woman is Dan Blocker, who played the big-hearted Hoss Cartwright on the NBC show “Bonanza.” In the lower right corner, keen eyes will spot an advertisement for Bill Baer’s television store.

05/27/2026

As we celebrate the 139th anniversary of the founding of Lake County, we’re admiring an icon of the county’s largest city. Nestled in Clermont on Highway 27 sits the Citrus Tower, a 226-foot-tall observation tower that once looked out over acres of citrus groves. Built by architect Thomas Rossell, the tower, offering 360-degree views, opened on July 14, 1956, to much fanfare. Fellow tourist attractions from surrounding areas welcomed it with open arms and it was christened by water from Silver Springs. Throughout its history it has played host to artisans, alligators, politicians and a citrus packing plant.

In a tale as old as time, the Citrus Tower saw declining attendance as Disney came to Florida and road expansion drew tourists away from the area. The tower has seen many changes to entice visitors and remains an alluring landmark. Today, it is owned by a religious group and has undergone recent renovations. A charming coffee shop sits on the ground floor and rides to the top still operate daily, offering those breathtaking views of Florida’s every-changing landscape.

05/26/2026

School is out tomorrow for Orange County Public Schools! Do you still need summer plans for your student? Check out our Adventures in History Summer camp for ages 6-11. Each week means new themes, hands-on activities, and tons of fun in a safe, engaging environment. It’s not too late to sign up, but spots are filling fast. Visit our website to learn more and register your camper today.

June 1 - August 7, 2026 Give your young historymaker a memorable camp experience with our Adventures in History Summer Camp! Through hands-on activities, our educators combine intriguing history with STEAM content in a rare and fun learning environment. We offer classes for ages 6-11. (All student

05/25/2026

Long before Memorial Day became associated with the start of summer, the holiday was observed as a time to honor those who died in military service and to decorate their graves in remembrance.

Originally known as Decoration Day, the observance began on May 30, 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.

Orlando’s Greenwood Cemetery also includes sections for veterans on both sides of the Civil War, as well as veterans of later conflicts, where family members and visitors continue to honor their service and sacrifice amid quiet, green vistas.

05/23/2026

In this photograph from Dec. 13, 1990, Su Le is embraced by his mother, Nhan Le, and his sister at Orlando International Airport. His mother clutches his shoulder and weeps as she welcomes him home after his release as a prisoner of war. Around them, other families share similar moments as the terminal fills with long-awaited reunions.

Following the fall of Saigon in 1975, hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese refugees fled political upheaval and resettled in the United States. Many made their way to Central Florida, where faith-based groups and sponsors helped families rebuild their lives. Despite early challenges, Vietnamese immigrants established businesses, community networks, and cultural institutions that continue to shape Orlando today.

Neighborhoods such as Orlando’s Mills 50, often called Little Vietnam, stand as a testament to that legacy – built from moments of loss, resilience, and reunion.



Courtesy Orlando Sentinel Collection

05/22/2026

A full slate of performances this weekend at venues throughout Orlando’s Loch Haven Park draws the curtain on 35th Annual Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival. The first Fringe Festival was held downtown in 1992, and since then the event has provided a space and opportunity for artists to emerge and showcase their talents and craft. Now the longest-running Fringe in the United States, the festival is unjuried – artists are chosen by lottery – and 100% of ticket sales given back to the artists. The two-week long extravaganza offers live entertainment, unique theatre experiences, displays of visual art, kid-friendly shows and activities, and free outdoor concerts. Shows run through Monday evening.

05/21/2026

The Orange County Regional History Center is proud to part of Blue Star Museums – a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and museums across the nation to offer free admission to the nation’s active-duty military personnel, including the National Guard and Reserves, and their families. The Blue Star Museums program begins on Armed Forces Day and ends on Labor Day.

Image shows Louise C. Wilmot, commander of the Naval Training Center in Orlando, and the highest-ranking woman in the United States Navy before she retired in 1994.

05/20/2026

School's out, and summer is here! Join us for a FREE Sensory Sunday: Summer Soiree on Sunday, May 24, from noon - 4 p.m. at the Orange County Regional History Center. Families can enjoy a sensory-friendly afternoon filled with hands-on activities, bubbles, glitter tattoos, and a special Polynesian dance performance by Uso's Polynesian Entertainment as we celebrate the start of summer and Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Plus, the first 100 guests will receive free shaved ice from Citrus Street Shaved Ice!

05/18/2026

Museums are more than places to display artifacts — they connect communities, preserve history, and create space for learning, dialogue, and inclusion. The Orange County Regional History Center traces its origins to a small historical exhibit installed in 1942 at the 1892 Orange County Courthouse (torn down in the 1950s). That early display sparked a broader mission to preserve and share Central Florida’s continually unfolding story.

In 1976, the museum found its first permanent home with the opening of the Orange County Historical Museum in Orlando’s Loch Haven Park. In 2000, the History Center returned downtown to occupy the restored 1927 Orange County Courthouse, just yards from the site of its original exhibit. Today, the History Center advances its mission through wide-ranging programs, permanent exhibits, and limited-run exhibitions from prestigious institutions across the country.



Photo: Undated image of Sara Van Arsdel, the museum's director, at the Orange County Historical Museum in Orlando's Loch Haven Park.