The Orange County Regional History Center highlights summer with a rich variety of programs for all ages
- Alastair Mac
- Jun 5
- 4 min read
Check out the awesome events at the History Center during the months of June and July.
The Orange County Regional History Center invites visitors to explore a June and July filled with
engaging programs for all ages, from Juneteenth celebrations, history talks, and family-friendly museum experiences to the museums Adventures in History Summer Camp for ages 6–11, with select sessions still available through Aug. 7. Learn more and register at TheHistoryCenter.org/Camps.
History Alive: Famous Floridians
Friday, June 19, 2026, 10 am – 5 pm
Celebrate Juneteenth at the History Center with this family-friendly day! 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. Admission is free for this event.
Guided museum tours: 10:30.am, Noon, 1:45 pm, 3:30 pm
Free Admission for Dads on Father’s Day
Sunday, June 21, 2026, Noon – 5 pm
Father’s Day is a time to celebrate all the important men or caregivers in our life. It might be your
dad, your grandpa or anyone who has played an important role. On Father’s Day, the History Center offers free admission to any caregiver accompanied by their loved one.
Lunch & Learn: Rebel Rousers – The History of Softball in Central Florida
Friday, July 10, 2026, Noon – 1 pm
From youth leagues to the Olympics and professional competition, softball is a predominantly
women’s sport that continues to grow in influence. Since its first recorded game in 1887, it has
evolved into a major athletic and cultural force, though the sport did not gain a foothold in Central
Florida until the 1920s. Join the History Center’s archivist, Katie Marra, as she discusses the history of softball in Central Florida, highlighting influences such as the Orlando Rebels, Olympic gold medalist Dot Richardson, and the development of the region’s expansive softball complexes.
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 am on Thursday, July 9.)
Details & registration: TheHistoryCenter.org/Event/Lunch-Learn-Softball-in-Central-Florida/
History Alive: Florida’s Natural World
Friday, July 11, 2026, 10 am – 5 pm
Journey through Florida’s wild and wondrous natural history as you explore prehistoric landscapes, early human ingenuity, and the sometimes bizarre creatures that still call Central Florida home. From towering mammoths to mysterious swamp dwellers, Florida’s environment has shaped life here for thousands of years. Uncover ancient artifacts, test your knowledge of local wildlife, and celebrate the natural forces that make Orlando truly extraordinary.
Guided museum tours: 10:30 am, Noon, 1:45 pm, 3:30 pm
Pocket Exhibit: Extra! Extra! The Orlando Sentinel Turns 150
On Display June 6, 2026 – January 3, 2027
From its beginnings in 1876 as the Orange County Reporter, the Orlando Sentinel has grown alongside the city it serves. Today, as a three-time Pulitzer Prize–winning newspaper, it celebrates 150 years of journalism, community, and storytelling. The History Center marks this milestone with
Extra! Extra! The Orlando Sentinel Turns 150, a pocket exhibit showcasing photographs, archival
materials, and artifacts from our collection that reflect the paper’s long presence in the region. This
exhibit invites visitors to encounter original materials that highlight how the Sentinel has been read, experienced, and remembered across generations.
The Orange County Regional History Center, housed in a historic courthouse at 65 E. Central Blvd. in downtown Orlando, features four floors of permanent and special exhibitions. The museum is a Smithsonian Institution affiliate and accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. It is funded in part by Orange County Government through the Community & Family Services Department under Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings and the Board of County Commissioners. The Historical Society of Central Florida Inc. is supported by United Arts of Central Florida and sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture, and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.
For more information, visit TheHistoryCenter.org.
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