Winter Garden Heritage Foundation
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The Winter Garden Heritage Foundation (WGHF) is an organisation dedicated to preserving history for the communities of West Orange County, Florida.
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[edit] Overview
The WGHF includes a Heritage Museum, Railroad Museum, Family History Center and Theatre. They are engaged in activities including the identification, documentation, evaluation and protection of West Orange County's cultural and physical history and character. Public education in the form of a fully accredited school visitation program, theatre programs, historic walking tours, heritage events, historic workshops, displays, written resource materials and presentations.
Visitation has steadily increased to over 23,000 visitors per year (2005) in a community of only 20,000. The WGHF, for its size and population, is the most visited museum in Florida thanks to its rich history of the Citrus and Railroad Industries. The WGHF has teamed up with local schools and is part of their Florida History classes through scavenger hunts, presentations and field trips. Encouraging students to explore their history, which is all around them, by looking at building architecture, pictures and newspaper articles.
[edit] Central Florida Railroad Museum
The Central Florida Railroad Museum, opened in 1983, is located in the former Tavares and Gulf depot built in 1913. The museum has the finest collection of Florida railroadiana anywhere, including a collection of dining car china, considered the 2nd largest collection of railroad china in the USA.
[edit] Garden Theatre
The Winter Garden Heritage Foundation has begun the restoration of the Garden Theatre located at 160 West Plant Street in historic downtown Winter Garden, Florida. Originally operated as a movie theatre, it opened in 1935. The interior was complete with a Spanish tile courtyard, "Romeo and Juliet" balconies, and lanterns in the windows over the proscenium arch with palm trees decorating either side of it. The ceiling of the theatre was dark blue, resplendent with stars. Several renovations changed the face of the theatre until it closed in 1962, as movie attendance declined in the new age of television. The Foundation acquired the building January 1, 2004 through an operating agreement with the City of Winter Garden.
The Foundation's goal and vision is two-fold. Firstly, to restore this historic building back to its original architectural simplicity, in keeping with the character and revitalization of historic downtown Winter Garden, making the building an authentic period piece).
Secondly, to become the heartbeat of the city as a performing arts center, movie theatre and multi-purpose venue.
