Winter Garden Heritage Foundation

In this 2 1/2 hour program, students are led by staff through the 20th century beginning with a colorful and fun PowerPoint presentation called “Timucua, Trains, and Trees.” It addresses local history as impacted by major national and international events and how those events shaped Central Florida – including the history of citrus, and the saga of Lake Apopka, the region’s most important natural resource. It addresses the effects of farming and other industries on the farm workers, as well as the tourist facilities that were once located around the lake.

Following the presentation, classes engage in three activities where they:

1) use detective skills to match photos of historic buildings to how buildings along Plant Street appear today;

2) explore the Winter Garden Heritage Museum, uncovering information about Citizen Heroes;

3) and dress as costumed Native Americans, farmers, business owners, or fishermen to answer questions about their influence on the region

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