September at the History Center features Water Parks, Heritage Traditions, Textile Arts and more
- Alastair Mac
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
The Orange County Regional History Center in downtown Orlando offers a diverse series of monthly events and special exhibitions.
The Orange County Regional History Center invites visitors to explore Central Florida history
through a lively September lineup featuring lost water parks, famous Floridians, heritage traditions, and textile arts.
Programs include a Lunch & Learn on the region’s defunct water parks, History Alive: Famous Floridians, a free Heritage Day celebration, and a weekend forum devoted to textile
and quilt art.
Visitors can also experience a pocket exhibition, Histories in Thread: Honoring Heirlooms in Contemporary Quilting, that explores culture, identity, and family history through contemporary quiltmaking. It closes October 4.
Our newest special exhibition, By Heart and By Hand, which celebrates the artistry, heritage, and traditions of Black craft artists, opens September 5 and will be on display through March 28, 2027.
Learn more at TheHistoryCenter.org/Events, and read on for more details on this month's highlights at the Heritage Center.
Lunch & Learn: A Deep Dive into Defunct Water Parks
Friday, September 4, 2026, Noon – 1 p.m.
Central Florida is world renowned for its theme parks, but not all of them could survive the competition. Take a deep dive into defunct local water parks, from Disney’s River Country to Water Mania, with our curator of education, Kallie Turner.
Rediscover state-of-the-art slides, giant wave pools, and more while also discussing why these parks just couldn’t make a splash!
Cost:
Free for History Center Members; General Public $5. Cost with lunch: $12 for History Center Members; General Public $17. (Lunch must be ordered by 9 a.m. on Thursday, September 3.)
Details & registration:
History Alive: Famous Floridians
Saturday, September 5, 2026, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Meet the trailblazers who shaped our region in unforgettable ways – from the musicians who lit up Orlando’s South Street Casino to activists and community builders whose legacies continue today.
Engage with the evolving story of freedom in our ongoing exhibition How Distant Seems Our Starting Place, join a guided museum tour, and enjoy hands-on activities that highlight the Black Floridians who helped elevate Central Florida’s culture and history.
Guided museum tours – 10:30 a.m., Noon, 1:45 p.m., 3:30 p.m.
Free Access Day: Heritage Day
Saturday, September 19, 2026, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Step into a day of creativity, culture, and community as we celebrate Heritage Day and our newest exhibition, By Heart and By Hand, honoring the artistry of Black craft makers in Central Florida.
Through hands-on activities, family-friendly experiences, and opportunities to explore traditions from across our community, visitors of all ages will discover how art, craft, and storytelling help preserve heritage and connect generations.
Textile and Quilt Art Forum: Celebrating the Legacy
of Heirlooms and Contemporary Works
Saturday, September 26 – Sunday, September 27, 2026
Seven nationally and internationally recognized textile and quilt artists come together for this weekend of workshops, presented at the History Center by the Quilt of Souls Historical Preservation Project.
The Textile and Quilt Art Forum will include sessions on fabric greeting cards, simple embroidery stitches, textile preservation, and more. All skill levels are welcome. The only expectations are your energy and willingness to learn.
For more information and to register, visit TheQuiltOfSouls.com.
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