Anza Bast has been involved with the Osceola County Historical Society for over 10 years, she is a dedicated volunteer and board member who received this year’s Florida Association of Museums Outstanding Volunteer award. Anza is an invaluable resource for OCHS. Her wealth of regional knowledge and her passion for history have made her an incredible asset to the organization. Anza volunteers most of her time in the Curation and Collection Department. Larissa Bixby caught up with Anza at the Research Center at Spence Pavilion one afternoon to chat a bit about her contributions to OCHS.

Topics: Volunteer Spotlight, Volunteer, Volunteering, Benifts of being a Volunteer, Volunteer Opportunities, Osceola County

Do you like trying new foods? Are you a fan of unique stores? How about classic vehicles and muscle cars? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then Old Town in Kissimmee is perfect for you!

Topics: Old Town, Kissimmee, Outdoor, Oscoela County Historical Society, Business Membership, Osceola County, City of Kissimmee, Around Osceola County, Osceola County History, Summer Activities, History, Tourism, Osceola History, Around Osceola

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

1 year ago, you invested in us, well beyond your cash donations. You revitalized our spirits, and helped us move forward.

Topics: Pioneer Village at Shingle Creek, 26th Annual Pioneer Day, Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures, Board of Directors, Osceola County, Lanier House, Tyson House, Cadman House, Replica Schoolhouse, 1800s Replica General Store, community

The youngest of nine children of Matthew and Sarah McMullen, born April 28, 1865; Charles Nathan grew up in Roane, West Virginia, working on the family farm.  He was only six months old when his father died.  At the age of thirteen, C.N. left home to make his own living.

Topics: Osceola County, Veteran

The Lanier family, like many others, migrated from another state to the wild frontier of Florida. The patriarch, John Lanier, came from Georgia where he was born in 1805. The exact date when John came to Florida is unknown. However, we do know that it was after his first wife’s passing and preceding his marriage to Margaret Hogan in 1839. It was during his time in Florida that he made a name for himself and his family in the cattle industry.

Topics: Kissimmee, Oscoela County Historical Society, Osceola County, Pioneer Village at Shingle Creek, City of Kissimmee, Around Osceola County, Pioneer Village, Osceola County History, Educational, History, Shingle Creek, The Pioneer Village, Pioneer Family, Osceola History, Around Osceola

Fair warning—this blog post contains pictures of mouth-watering barbeque food. Be prepared to crave this amazing food!

Topics: Big John's BBQ, Kissimmee, Oscoela County Historical Society, Business Membership, Osceola County, Dine with the Departed, City of Kissimmee, Around Osceola County, Osceola County History, History, Osceola History, Around Osceola

The Osceola County Historical Society recently had the privilege of attending a private behind-the-scenes tour of Osceola Heritage Park. Here is a little history and glance of what goes on behind the curtains of all the concerts, events, and trade shows that take place at our very own Osceola Heritage Park.

Topics: Business Membership, Osceola Heritage Park, Silver Spurs Rodeo, Silver Spurs Arena, Event Space, Osceola County

Program Director, Larissa Bixby, tracked down OCHS’s super busy Venue Rental Sales Director for a quick get to know you. Maggie has been with OCHS for a year as of this month. Congrats, Maggie! She has created the Venue Rental Sales Department from a barely functioning, basement level operation to a flourishing business that highlights the natural beauty and unique spaces OCHS has to offer for your next celebration. When she’s not charging full speed ahead at work, Maggie keeps her energies high on a run, trying new things, traveling, or working out. You can definitely say that Maggie is energetic, but you’ll also be struck by how compassionate and joyful a person she is as well.

Topics: OCHS Employee Spotlight, weddings, Birthday Parties, Venue Rentals, Osceola County, Osceola County Historical Society

When the ten-year-old wooden Osceola High School burned to the ground on July 7, 1908; the headlines read “Pride of Osceola Is Laid In Ashes”.  A committee of citizens was immediately appointed by the School Board to secure plans for the erection of a new school building.  Cooper Contracting Company of Fitzgerald, Georgia was awarded the contract for $17,500 to construct the three-story structure using sand lime brick. 

Topics: Kissimmee, Oscoela County Historical Society, Osceola County, City of Kissimmee, Around Osceola County, Osceola County History, Educational, History, Around Osceola, Osceola History