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orange county regional history center

  • An view of the exterior of the Orange County Regional History Center.

    History Happens Here!

    Some people think of Central Florida as being very young. Perhaps they think things really got started here around 1971 when a certain beloved mouse took up residence, but our history stretches back more than 14,000 years. Luckily, there is a place where you can learn all about it, the Smithsonian-affiliated Orange County Regional History…

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  • The book "Once Upon a Time in Florida" on top of a bronze statue of a man sitting on an alligator, located in Heritage Square in front of the Orange County Regional History Center.

    Once Upon a Time in Florida: Capturing Our State’s Rich History on the Page

    This post is brought to you by our community partners at the Orange County Regional History Center. “Generation after generation, Florida has been a collection of cultures, thoughts, and ambitions brought by people from around the world,” writes the executive director of Florida Humanities, Nashid Madyun, in the foreword to a new book, Once Upon…

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  • Native American Heritage Month: Cory Osceola

    Native American Heritage Month: Cory Osceola

    This photo of Cory Osceola comes from a postcard sold at the Musa Isle Indian Village in Miami around 1929. Musa Isle was the first Seminole tourist camp, founded in 1907. At this time, the Seminole people were struggling to make ends meet in a natural environment that was constantly changing due to industrial expansion.…

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  • From the Director, October 2020

    From the Director, October 2020

    The pandemic has changed the way we do just about everything, from work to school to leisure activities. Now, as we’re about to enter the holiday season, it’s changing how we celebrate special occasions. Halloween is upon us, and the CDC made recommendations against sending kids out trick or treating and suggested that parents instead…

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Thanksgiving Closure

Orange County Library System will be closed starting at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, November 27 and remain closed through Friday, November 29 in observance of Thanksgiving. The library system will resume normal business hours on Saturday, November 30. Learn more about library closures >

Upcoming Southwest Branch Closure

Southwest Branch will be closed Monday, December 2 through Thursday, December 5 for replacement of the HVAC system. The book drop will remain open. We plan to reopen for normal business hours on Friday, December 6.