Orange County Regional History Center, Orlando

The Orange County Regional History Center is located in downtown Orlando and occupies the former Orange County Courthouse, completed in 1927. Designed as a civic landmark, the building reflects the period when Orlando was establishing itself as a regional center. Its preserved exterior and interior details add historical value before visitors even step into the galleries.

Inside, the museum traces the history of Central Florida across several floors, beginning with Indigenous cultures and early settlement and continuing through statehood, agriculture, transportation, and urban growth. Exhibits cover the citrus industry, military activity during World War II, and the social changes that accompanied population growth in the twentieth century. Displays combine historical objects, photographs, maps, and multimedia elements to present information in a clear and accessible way.

Several sections focus specifically on Orlando, showing how downtown evolved from a small town into a modern city. Visitors can see how railroads, highways, tourism, and local industries shaped daily life, as well as how communities adapted to economic and cultural change. Temporary exhibitions often add more focused perspectives on regional topics.