Winter Garden Heritage Foundation
Encyclopedia
The Winter Garden Heritage Foundation (WGHF) is an organization dedicated to preserving history for the communities of West Orange County
, Florida
.
: the Winter Garden Heritage Museum and the Central Florida Railroad Museum
. The History Center is the headquarters for the WGHF, and serves as a family research center and administrative offices. The foundation also operates the Garden Theatre.
Activities of the WGHF include the identification, documentation, evaluation and protection of West Orange County's cultural and physical history and character. Public education in the form of a fully accredited school visitation program, theatre programs, historic walking tours, heritage events, historic workshops, displays, written resource materials and presentations.
train depot in downtown Winter Garden
. The museum focuses on the history and culture of the area, with exhibits including local citrus
labels, Native American artifacts, railroad memorabilia and historic photographs.
. Originally operated as a movie theatre, it opened in 1935. The interior was complete with a Spanish tile courtyard, "Romeo and Juliet" balconies, and lanterns in the windows over the proscenium arch with palm trees decorating either side of it. The ceiling of the theatre was dark blue, resplendent with stars. Several renovations changed the face of the theatre until it closed in 1962, as movie attendance declined in the new age of television. The Foundation acquired the building January 1, 2004 through an operating agreement with the City of Winter Garden.
The Foundation's goal and vision is two-fold. Firstly, to restore this historic building back to its original architectural simplicity, in keeping with the character and revitalization of historic downtown Winter Garden, making the building an authentic period piece).
Secondly, to become the heartbeat of the city as a performing arts center, movie theatre and multi-purpose venue.
Orange County, Florida
Orange County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida and is part of the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford Metropolitan Statistical Area . As of 2010 U.S. Census, the county had a population of 1,145,956....
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
.
Overview
The WGHF operates two museums in Winter Garden, FloridaWinter Garden, Florida
Winter Garden is a city located west of downtown Orlando in western Orange County, Florida. It is part of the Orlando–Kissimmee Metropolitan Statistical Area. Winter Garden's population is currently over 30,000.-Geography:...
: the Winter Garden Heritage Museum and the Central Florida Railroad Museum
Central Florida Railroad Museum
The Central Florida Railroad Museum is located at 101 South Boyd Street, Winter Garden, Florida in a former Tavares and Gulf depot built in 1913. The museum contains exhibits depicting Central Florida's railroading history, including a large collection of dining car china...
. The History Center is the headquarters for the WGHF, and serves as a family research center and administrative offices. The foundation also operates the Garden Theatre.
Activities of the WGHF include the identification, documentation, evaluation and protection of West Orange County's cultural and physical history and character. Public education in the form of a fully accredited school visitation program, theatre programs, historic walking tours, heritage events, historic workshops, displays, written resource materials and presentations.
Winter Garden Heritage Museum
The Winter Garden Heritage Museum is located in the 1918 Atlantic Coast LineAtlantic Coast Line Railroad
The Atlantic Coast Line Railroad was an American railroad that existed between 1900 and 1967, when it merged with the Seaboard Air Line Railroad, its long-time rival, to form the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad...
train depot in downtown Winter Garden
Winter Garden, Florida
Winter Garden is a city located west of downtown Orlando in western Orange County, Florida. It is part of the Orlando–Kissimmee Metropolitan Statistical Area. Winter Garden's population is currently over 30,000.-Geography:...
. The museum focuses on the history and culture of the area, with exhibits including local citrus
Citrus
Citrus is a common term and genus of flowering plants in the rue family, Rutaceae. Citrus is believed to have originated in the part of Southeast Asia bordered by Northeastern India, Myanmar and the Yunnan province of China...
labels, Native American artifacts, railroad memorabilia and historic photographs.
Garden Theatre
In 2008, the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation completed the restoration of the Garden Theatre, located at 160 West Plant Street in historic downtown Winter Garden, FloridaWinter Garden, Florida
Winter Garden is a city located west of downtown Orlando in western Orange County, Florida. It is part of the Orlando–Kissimmee Metropolitan Statistical Area. Winter Garden's population is currently over 30,000.-Geography:...
. Originally operated as a movie theatre, it opened in 1935. The interior was complete with a Spanish tile courtyard, "Romeo and Juliet" balconies, and lanterns in the windows over the proscenium arch with palm trees decorating either side of it. The ceiling of the theatre was dark blue, resplendent with stars. Several renovations changed the face of the theatre until it closed in 1962, as movie attendance declined in the new age of television. The Foundation acquired the building January 1, 2004 through an operating agreement with the City of Winter Garden.
The Foundation's goal and vision is two-fold. Firstly, to restore this historic building back to its original architectural simplicity, in keeping with the character and revitalization of historic downtown Winter Garden, making the building an authentic period piece).
Secondly, to become the heartbeat of the city as a performing arts center, movie theatre and multi-purpose venue.
External links
- Winter Garden Heritage Foundation - official site
- Winter Garden Heritage Museum - Museum's Myspace page