Osceola History

08/30/2026

In celebration of 🏖️, take a look at this 1920s knitted wool swimsuit from our archives!

Wool was a popular choice for swimwear because it could maintain its shape when wet, unlike materials such as cotton. It also helped keep swimmers warm in cooler ocean waters. 🌊

08/29/2026

Meet Brownie Wise!

Tupperware has been a part of American homes for more than 75 years, but its success was due to more than just its functionality. Much of Tupperware’s success came from the innovative home-party sales method introduced by Brownie Wise.

Learn more about Brownie Wise and her legacy on September 12th at the opening of our new temporary exhibit, "Tupperware Roundup," and annual meeting!

📍 Welcome Center & History Museum
📅 Saturday, September 12th
⏰ 5:30–8:00 PM

🎤Guest speaker Bob Kealing will speak from 6:30–7:30 PM and is bringing a special, one-of-a-kind artifact to share with the audience!

📚 Copies of his book, Tupperware Unsealed, will also be available for purchase.

FREE event

08/28/2026

A look back at the 1983 Miss Silver Spurs Pageant! 👑✨

Pictured here are the 1983 Miss Silver Spurs contestants and winners: 2nd Runner-Up Barbara Haywood, Miss Silver Spurs Shannon Corbett, and 1st Runner-Up Beth Parmer.

08/27/2026

Part 2 of our interview with Laneve Thompkins Hensel SANDesign Artistry who generously donated her piece, “Frogs Be Gone” to the Welcome Center & History Museum!

See this beautiful piece on display in our Lakefront Exhibit.

📍4155 W Vine St, Kissimmee, FL, 34741
🕚Open daily | 10am - 4pm
🎟️FREE Admission

08/27/2026

New at the Welcome Center & History Museum 🚨

We are very grateful to Narcoossee native Laneve Thompkins Hensel SANDesign Artistry for generously donating her piece, “Frog Be Gone.”

See this beautiful piece now on display in the Lakefront Exhibit!

📍 4155 W Vine St, Kissimmee, FL 34741
🕚 Open daily | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
🎟️ FREE admission

*Correction to on-screen text, should read "Thompkins"

08/27/2026

In celebration of , pictured here is a young Carl Spence with his dog, Buddy, photographed in Barwick, Georgia, in 1914. 🐾

Many of our artifacts are currently housed at the Spence Research Center in Kissimmee, FL, which was once the Spence family home.

Interested in viewing our collections? Make an appointment with our curator by emailing [email protected]

08/25/2026

Meet Our New Executive Director! 🎉

We’re thrilled to welcome Nick Mathes into this leadership role at Osceola History 🌟

Mathes holds two Master’s degrees from Liberty University: a Master of Arts in Human Services and a Master of Arts in History. In addition to academic training, he also brings a professional history in museum leadership, having recently served as Museum Director of the Florida Air Museum in Lakeland, Florida.

"We are excited to welcome Nick Mathes as the Osceola History Museum’s new Executive Director,” said Paola Grimes, member of the Board of Directors. “His leadership comes at an important time for the museum as we continue to grow our programs, strengthen our connection with the community, and preserve the stories that make Osceola County unique. We are confident that Nick’s experience, enthusiasm, and vision will be an incredible asset to the museum as we look toward the future."

08/25/2026

08/25/2026

We are so excited to have this amazing work of art now on display at our Welcome Center & History Museum in our lakefront exhibit. Check back on our page this Thursday (8/27) for an interview with the artist to learn more about this incredible work!

📍4155 W. Vine Street, Kissimmee, FL 34741
🕙 Open Daily | 10 AM–4 PM
🎟️ FREE Admission!

08/24/2026

Have you explored our “Sounds of Osceola” exhibit at the Welcome Center & History Museum yet?

The last day to view this rotating exhibit is Sunday, August 30th! Don’t miss your chance to see it before we make way for our new temporary exhibit, “Tupperware Roundup” opening September 12th.

📍4155 W. Vine St, Kissimmee, FL 34741
🕚Open daily | 10am - 4pm
🎟️FREE admission