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: artifacts, Osceola County Historical Society Curator, Osceola County Historical Society, Osceola County, postcard

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, Volunteer Opportunities, Osceola County Historical Society, Board of Directors, Florida Association of Museums

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 County Historical Society, Osceola County History, City of Kissimmee, Totally Tots! Temporary Exhibit, Toho Water Authority, Osceola County, Gatorland, Airboats, Pioneer Village at Shingle Creek, KUA, Around Osceola County, Pioneer Village, Summer Activities, History, Tourism, Shingle Creek, The Pioneer Village, Shingle Creek Regional Park, Around Osceola, Osceola History, Kissimmee, The Paddling Center, Steffee Landing, Big John's BBQ, Cici's Pizza, Old Town, Boggy Creek Airboat Rides, Experience Kissimmee, 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: Fashion, Fashion Rewind Temporary Exhibit, Oscoela County Historical Society

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: Fashion Rewind Temporary Exhibit, Osceola County Welcome Center and HIstory Museum, Fashion, History, Free Admission, Fashion Rewind Opening Reception, Osceola County Historical Society, Artifact Spotlight

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: Osceola County Historical Society, 26th Annual Pioneer Day, Pioneer Village at Shingle Creek, 1800s Replica General Store

 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: Tin Can Tourism, Artifact Spotlight

When entering a church, most eyes are drawn to the front of the building where there usually stands a pulpit. The pulpit is the focal point and perhaps one of the most important pieces of furniture. The Osceola County Historical Society (OCHS) has recently had the privilege of building a replica church for the Pioneer Village at Shingle Creek. This church would not be complete without its furnishings. One of the most important items to be included in these furnishings is, of course, the pulpit. Luckily, OCHS didn't have to go very far to find the perfect pulpit to be placed in the church.

Topics: Artifact Spotlight, Church Pulpit, Osceola County History, Pioneer Village at Shingle Creek

The one-room schoolhouse of the early 1900s was often filled with benches or desks, but one stood out from the rest: the teacher’s desk. Many times, there were too many students and children had to resort to sharing those desks, as well as books and other school items. However, the teacher’s desk was for one person: the teacher.

Topics: Replica Schoolhouse, Artifact Spotlight, Teacher's Desk, Pioneer Village at Shingle Creek, Osceola County History