A Trace Of New England In Florida

A Trace Of New England In Florida

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A Stroll by way of Winter Park - A Trace of New England in Florida
by: Susanne Pacher
Only a few minutes north of downtown Orlando awaits Winter Park, an enthralling picturesque suburb steeped in history. After my tour on the Scenic Boat Tour, my local knowledgeable Wanda Salerno took me on a little walk by way of city past lovely historic neighbourhoods.
With is origins as a citrus rising region, Winter Park turned a serious vacation spot for rich northerners throughout the early 1900s, who got here into city by prepare to succeed in their elegant winter retreats, looking for shelter from the cold winters of the north. Elegant mansions and and stately old oak bushes draped with Spanish moss bear witness to this historic period.
Wanda then took me by way of a few of Winter Park's hidden courtyards, that are filled with specialty retail shops and galleries. Winter Park options a large variety of galleries and I had a chance to sample three of them, all of which carried vastly different artwork:
- Scott Laurent Collections
- Native Visions Gallery
- Timothy's
Our walk took us out on to Winter Park's important road, Park Avenue, which homes 10 blocks of specialty retailers, galleries and ecclectic eating places. Park Avenue is flanked on its west side by Central Park which provides a welcome sanctuary of leisure with its swish fountain, walking paths and shaded benches.
We then went on to explore Casa Feliz ("Happy Home" in Spanish), the signature residential work of renowned architect James Gamble Rogers II.
In 1932 Robert Bruce Barbour, a chemical engineer from Massachusetts, commissioned Rogers to design a house on Lake Osceola, which turned out to be the Andalusian-type masonry farmhouse that we see as we speak. This house was not solely cherished by Barbour, however by the community as effectively. Throughout its history, it has hosted garden membership excursions, symphony orchestra concerts, poetry social meetings and a dinner for creator Sinclair Lewis.
In 2001, so as to forestall the home from demolition, Casa Feliz was moved throughout Interlachen Avenue to its current location on Park Avenue. This transfer was probably the most dramatic occasions in Winter Park's historical past. Casa Feliz was transported on 20 pneumatically levelled dollies, and an elaborate pulley system moved the home about 75 ft per hour. After the house was in position at its new location, expert craftsmen labored on restoring it to its original 1933 situation. A special landscape design was commissioned to reflect the fashion of the period.
In the present day, Casa Feliz is accessible to lease for weddings, parties, business conferences and occasions. Its distinctive options present the perfect backdrop for a truly memorable occasion.
As a centre of local tradition, Winter Park also options three well-known museums:
- the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American artwork, which holds the world's most complete collection of works by Louis Consolation Tiffany, together with Tiffany's 1893 Chapel. The museum additionally options paintings, furniture and different works primarily from the late 19th and 20th centuries.
- the Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Garden: 3 acres of gardens, featuring sculptures and painters by Albin Polasek. The museum is listed on the National Register of Historic Locations.
- the Cornell Wonderful Arts Museum, which focuses on western world art of the 20th century and contains work, drawings, sculptures and different art from America and Europe. This museum is situated at Rollins College, one of many prime rated liberal arts colleges within the nation.
The Winter Park Historic Museum examines numerous historic time durations, interchanging reveals and rotating shows spotlight some of the modifications which have occurred in central Florida.
Whereas I explored the town my husband truly played a round of golf on the 9-hole Winter Park Country Club, which is nestled fantastically inside Winter Park's historic neighbourhood. The WPCC is the second oldest golf club within the Central Florida space and makes its means by way of the downtown Winter Park space and supplies a problem to even the most skilled golfer. He enjoyed his outing, and a cost of $12, it was a particularly inexpensive outing on a properly-maintained golf course.
We capped off our tour with an pleasing dinner at a restaurant referred to as 310 Park Avenue, right on Winter Park's fundamental strip. While a great portion of the Orlando space could be very new, Winter Park is a welcome oasis of history and ambience that's perfect for a day of exploring.
For extra information on Winter Park contact the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce,
About The Creator
Susanne Pacher is the writer of a website called Journey and Transitions ( ). Journey and Transitions offers with unconventional travel and is chock full of recommendation, ideas, actual life travel experiences, interviews with travellers and journey specialists, insights and reflections, cross-cultural issues, contests and many different options. You will also discover tales about life and the transitions that we face as we undergo our own personal life-long journeys.
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