I
n 1991, a committee of citizens and City of Winter Garden
officials applies to and is accepted as a Main Street
Florida Community, to help revitalize the historic downtown
district. A few years after being granted this honor, the Winter
Garden Heritage Foundation was established. Their mission:
to “preserve our heritage and architecture while creating new
cultural experiences.” Since its founding, the Winter Garden
Heritage Foundation has fulfilled its mission through research,
the protection of historic structures and artifacts, educational
opportunities and exhibitions, and cultural festivals, for the
benefit of residents, visitors, and future generations.
The Foundation, History Center and Museum have been
in several locations around the downtown area. In 1998, the
Heritage Museum opened in the historic Atlantic Coast Line
Railroad Depot, with Rod Reeves as director. Three years later,
the group opened the History Research Center, which made
available archives of historic photographs, records, oral histories
and artifacts from Winter Garden, Ocoee, Oakland,
Windermere, Killarney and Tildenville. This venue was located
for two years in the Edgewater Hotel, then four years in a
donated storefront on Plant Street. Over the years and as
businesses, shops and restaurants began springing up
downtown; the Foundation had to relocate the History Center
to cramped quarters in the back area of the Central Florida
Railroad Museum on South Boyd Street. This move was not
particularly ideal, as items were stored in a metal warehouse
built around 1915. The building was not climate controlled,
and historic objects and documents were literally stacked to the
ceiling. Our collective history deserved a better home.
After many years of reaching out to the public and through
grants and capital campaigns, the archives have a gorgeous new
home. In Mid-January, The Winter Garden Heritage
Foundation’s new $1.1 million, 5,224-square-foot History
Research and Education Center will open to the public. The
new facility, in the heart of downtown at 21 E. Plant St., has
a visitors’ center at the front, where volunteers will distribute
maps and information about the city and its history, dining and
lodging options, local businesses and people. Beyond this room
is a large research center and staff office, and a vast
climate-controlled storage room to house the news, artifacts,
and items from the past which showcase the area and its residents.
Program Director Jim Crescitelli, WGHF Director Kay Cappleman, and
Bookkeeper Margie Severance stand outside the main doors to the beautiful new
facility.
On the west end of the building is the Briley Voss Conference Room, a kitchen for catered events and Heller Bros. Hall.
The hall will be used for educational tours, events, and for
rotating exhibits. It may also be rented for wedding receptions,
luncheons, and other private events. A covered courtyard will
be fitted outside between the new building and the adjacent
Heritage Museum.
A housewarming event will take place Jan. 9, 2015, for donors
and members, and then an open house will be held for the
public on Jan. 11. A plaque on the exterior will recognize
anyone who pledges or donates more than $100. The
Foundation is also selling engraved bricks for $50, providing
another way to be commemorated on the site. This is a great
way to show your contribution to the conservation of our
charming historic area, and can be purchased by any individual,
family or organization at the Center. The bricks will be fitted
into the front sidewalk of the building, just along the West
Orange Trail.
In just under a quarter century, the Foundation has evolved
significantly, made outstanding contributions to our community, and has increased the preservation and propagation of the
area’s historic charm. Once open to the public, visitors can stop
in and feel free to research the past of our area and many of its
residents. Donations can be made to the Foundation at any
time via their website: www.wghf.org
JANUARY 2015
WINTER GARDEN MAGAZINE
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