The Osceola County Historical Society would like to welcome Kimberly Murray as the new Executive Director. Kimberly has a Master of Science Degree in Human Services Management and officially joined the OCHS team on October 1, 2018. 

Topics: Osceola County Historical Society, Kimberly Murray, Executive Director

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

The Summer was a very exciting time at the Venues Managed by the Osceola County Historical Society! Ten private events were hosted between the Buster Kenton Room at the Osceola County Welcome Center and History Museum and the Pavilion and grounds of Pioneer Village at Shingle Creek.

Topics: Venue Rentals, OCHS Event Recap, OCHS Events, weddings, Receptions, Buster Kenton Room, Pavilion at Pioneer Village, Pioneer Village at Shingle Creek, Osceola County Historical Society, Osceola County Welcome Center and HIstory Museum, Birthday Parties, Filming, 1800s Historic Replica Church, Replica Train Depot

Built in 1924-1925, the Interocean Hotel located on Highway 17-92 seven miles south of Kissimmee, Florida; sat empty the year following completion. 

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

One of the official actions at the first School Board meeting on August 29, 1887 was to name and number the schools.  # 5 was Shiloh, #7 Cross Prairie, #11 Neallo and #13 was Lakeview, to name a few.  There were a total of twenty-one with #22, Merry Winter, added the following month.  The salary for teachers assigned between ten and fifteen students was set at $20 a month; classes above fifteen students would result in $1.50 per student per month additional payment.

Topics: Kissimmee, Samuel Lincoln Lupfer,, Oscoela County Historical Society, Osceola County, Osceola County Historical Society, City of St. Cloud, Pioneer Village at Shingle Creek, City of Kissimmee, Pioneer Village, Osceola County History, Educational, St. Cloud, The Pioneer Village, Osceola History, Around Osceola

With the opening of our 1800s Replica Historic Church available for Weddings and Vow Renewals, we wanted to take a look into many common wedding traditions still performed.

Topics: Business is Blooming, 1800s Historic Replica Church, Osceola County Historical Society, Flowers, Wedding Traditions, Wedding Flowers

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

This month’s spotlight is all about OCHS Curator and Collections Manager, Kayla Smith. Kayla began working at the Osceola County Historical Society as a volunteer in 2016 before she took the position as Curator on her birthday that same year. She spends her free time with her husband, Paul, and their son. She enjoys exploring the outdoors and teaching her son about the world. Kayla spoke with Program Director, Larissa Bixby; let’s see what she said:

Topics: OCHS Employee Spotlight, Osceola County Historical Society, Osceola County Historical Society Curator, Volunteer

Proclamation, it just sounds important, doesn’t it? Did you know that a proclamation is a public or official announcement, especially one dealing with a matter of great importance? 

 During the month of May, the Osceola County Historical Society received a number of acknowledgments declaring the whole month of May, History Month. 

Topics: History Month, Osceola County Historical Society, City of St. Cloud, City of Kissimmee, Osceola County School Board, Pioneer Village at Shingle Creek, Osceola County Welcome Center and HIstory Museum, Totally Tots! Temporary Exhibit

With the help of the Narcoossee Area Chapter, the Osceola County Historical Society has been able to expand its reach in preserving the history of the Narcoossee area.  OCHS is now hoping to form the Soldier City Chapter to help preserve the history of St. Cloud, Florida and its surrounding areas. 

Topics: Osceola County Historical Society, St. Cloud, Florida, Soldier City Chapter, History