Winter Park Historical Association and Museum
The Winter Park Historical Association partners with several regional institutions to research and promote the history of our area. We are founding members of the Winter Park Cultural Consortium and participate in many city-wide festivals to share with our residents and visitors the rich history of this lovely community. Our annual garden tour takes place in a different historic neighborhood each April. Not only do our participants have the opportunity to stroll through a lovely nneighborhoodand into private gardens, but a written history included in the program makes all aware of this community's heritage.
Our museum exhibitions change and are informative, educational, creative and occasionally whimsical. We have had: "From Cattlefeed to Cashmere: 100 Years of Business in Winter Par" (playing on the humble origins and today's rather chic downtown reputation). We have explored the history of the police and fire departments ("Whistles, Sirens, Flashing Lights") as well as homes and neighborhoods ("City of Homes", the former city motto) Our 2008-09 exhibition, "From Kin to Kant: The Culture of Turpentine", is a scholarly and visually stunning exploration of an industry not usually associated with Florida; the idea germinated after remains of a turpentine still were discovered on the campus of University of Central Florida. The exhibition explains the process, the product and the difficult lives (and sometimes deaths) of the turpentine laborer from can see in the morning to can't see at night).
Using references to jook joints first published by Zora Neale Hurston, our central vignette brings the jook joint among the pine trees to life. We bring mini-exhibits to city festivals; "The Great Flyswatting Campaign", "Scouting in Winter Park" "Fore! History of Golfing in Winter Park" are a few of these.
