Amendment 13 was approved by Florida voters in the 2018 election. This amendment calls for the end of greyhound racing in Florida by 2020. With the majority of operating tracks in the US located in Florida, the amendment will deal a serious blow to the sport. Greyhound racing has a unique history and has been a part of Florida for quite some time.
Topics: Osceola County, Greyhound Dogs, Florida
In the mid-1700s, large groups of Native Americans, primarily from Georgia, began to come into Florida, which was still owned by Spain. Many were displaced from war and were looking for a safe home. They would band together to form a new tribe, known as the Seminole Indian tribe. The Seminoles, meaning “separatists” or “runaways”, gained their name as a result of their decision to leave their other tribes and migrate to Florida. The early Seminole tribe had two main groups: one in the Southern part of the state and the other inhabiting the area near Lake Okeechobee. The tribe would remain in Florida, and continue to grow, including the addition of former slaves into their tribe. As the Seminoles grew in number, they would end up fighting the United States government in the Seminole Wars in an effort to maintain their livelihood and lands in Florida.
Topics: Osceola County Welcome Center and HIstory Museum, Seminole Settlement, Osceola Natives, Temporary Exhibit, Seminole Indians
Lasting four years, from July 1914 to November 1918, World War I is often remembered as a long and horrible war. Millions were killed or wounded. Old fashioned tactics were being used alongside more modern weapons, this making it one of the deadliest conflicts in history. What made World War I particularly dreadful was the trench warfare. Soldiers from both sides were made to dig and fight in trenches along the main fronts of the war. The unsanitary conditions and dangers of fighting enemies with powerful weapons so close made the trenches unlike any other battlefield.
An exciting aspect of museum work is making new discoveries. Sometimes, these discoveries may only be new to the researcher. Usually, this means an item has been “rediscovered” in the museum’s archives. The Osceola County Historical Society has made such a discovery! In reorganizing our archives, we happened upon a postcard from 136 years ago. The postcard was addressed to a Miss Martha A. Pierce of Holliston, MA and was sent from her step-sister, Annie of Livermore Falls, Maine. This may sound like an unappealing find, and it certainly is not relevant to Osceola County history. However, what is unique about the postcard is Annie was able to fit 620 words on it, and they are legible (mostly)! Even after 136 years, the writing of a young woman, updating her step-sister of her life can still be read and enjoyed. We’ll count this as a win for history!
Topics: Osceola County Historical Society, Osceola County, Osceola County Historical Society Curator, postcard, artifacts
Each year, the Florida Association of Museums honors those who help museums fulfill their individual missions. One such honor, the Outstanding Volunteer Award is given to a “volunteer whose service to a museum has made a lasting impact on the fulfillment of the institution’s mission”. Osceola County Historical Society has many wonderful volunteers and, as a result, decided to nominate one of them: Anza Bast.
Topics: Volunteer Opportunities, Volunteer, Osceola County Historical Society, Florida Association of Museums, Board of Directors
Summer time in Florida is the perfect opportunity to explore the activities and attractions Osceola County has to offer! Offering family-friendly adventures, there are plenty of activities to ensure everyone has fun! Check out some of our favorite places to visit with our family and friends:
Topics: Osceola History, Around Osceola, Shingle Creek Regional Park, The Pioneer Village, Tourism, Shingle Creek, History, Summer Activities, Osceola County History, KUA, Pioneer Village, Around Osceola County, City of Kissimmee, Pioneer Village at Shingle Creek, Airboats, Gatorland, Osceola County Historical Society, Osceola County, Toho Water Authority, Totally Tots! Temporary Exhibit, Kissimmee, The Paddling Center, Old Town, Boggy Creek Airboat Rides, Experience Kissimmee, Steffee Landing, Big John's BBQ, Cici's Pizza, United Arts of Central Florida
In honor of Women’s History Month, the Osceola County Historical Society opened a new temporary exhibit, Fashion Rewind. This exhibit showcases women’s clothing from OCHS’s textile collection featuring styles from the early 1900s to the 1940s.
Topics: Oscoela County Historical Society, Fashion Rewind Temporary Exhibit, Fashion
Fashion seems to be a revolving door. A particular “fad” may be popular for a time, but will surely be replaced by another. However, that fad will probably find its way back into popularity a few decades later. One aspect that never seems to go out of style, is the attention to detail. Adding specific elements to a garment can give it an extra flair, or make a relatively bland piece look extraordinary.
Topics: Artifact Spotlight, History, Osceola County Welcome Center and HIstory Museum, Free Admission, Osceola County Historical Society, Fashion Rewind Opening Reception, Fashion Rewind Temporary Exhibit, Fashion
The Osceola County Historical Society will be celebrating what life was like in early Florida by hosting the 26th Annual Pioneer Day. This is always a fun time for the community to come out and enjoy the Pioneer Village at Shingle Creek for free, and experience historical re-enactments and examples of daily life for pioneers. What makes this year’s event even more exciting is OCHS has added another replica building, the General Store, and we will be celebrating its grand opening at 10:30AM, November 11th during the 26th Annual Pioneer Day event!
Topics: Pioneer Village at Shingle Creek, Osceola County Historical Society, 1800s Replica General Store, 26th Annual Pioneer Day
Automobile ownership was on the rise in the early 1900’s and travel became increasingly accessible. Americans from different economic positions were vacationing more and more. The need for affordable places to stay while traveling increased. A new kind of accommodation gained popularity-the house trailer. The definition of these mobile homes varied, but they were essentially a portable place to stay. With the formation of travel clubs, like the Tin Can Tourists, house trailers continued to be a fundamental part of traveling the United States by automobile.
Topics: Artifact Spotlight, Tin Can Tourism
