Mount Dora History Museum

10/14/2026

Preparations are underway and we are just a couple hours away from our fundraiser at the Lakeside Inn from 5:30 to 7:30 this evening. Tickets will be available at the event, so plan to come down and join us for a relaxing and fun evening!

10/13/2026

We are only two days away from our fundraiser event this coming Wednesday, October 14th from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the Lakeside Inn. If you haven’t purchased your ticket yet, you can still do so:
https://www.mountdorahistoricalsociety.com/event-details/celebrating-mount-doras-history-2

Our special thanks go to those who helped sponsor this year’s event through cash donations.

Platinum Level Sponsors:
Lakeside Inn
Kim Y. Stewart Legacy Fund
Hillcrest Insurance Agency
Mount Dora Historic Preservation Trust

Gold Level Sponsors:
Stone & Gerken, Attorneys
MBN Insurance Group
Century 21- John Constant, Myers Realty

Silver Level Sponsors:
Dennis Dawson & Emilio Rodriguez
Renee Burke, Financial Advisor

Bronze Level Sponsor:
Alan Hamlin

Additional Sponsors:
All About Images
Janet & Les Westlake

10/08/2026

This Sunday! Historian and author Christopher Daley returns to our library with a spooky look at the haunted history of Florida, scheduled for Sunday, October 11, 2026 at 2:00pm. No registration required. Sponsored by The Mount Dora Library Association.

10/08/2026

For those of you who were around in the 1950s and 60s, you’ll recognize some of the people in this photograph inside the original First National Bank building on Donnelly and 5th.

!

This interior view of the First National Bank of Mount Dora (now Shamrock Building) is circa 1959, with a posed group of employees. Pictured from left to right, in the bank's lobby are: George J. White, Sr., Sue Bond, Alfred Rehbaum, Sr., Bonnie Jerue, Jean Houser, Lee H. Mosteller, Vertice Howell Birt, Irma Billette, J.M. McCowan and Oscar Stephens, Jr. The business moved from this location at the southwest corner of Fifth Avenue and Donnelly Street in 1965. The bank has been in continuous operation since 1925 and still operates at its current location at 714 N. Donnelly Street.

The Mount Dora Archives is a joint effort of the Mount Dora Historical Society, The Mount Dora Library Association and the City of Mount Dora. Learn more about Mount Dora’s history at your library and the Mount Dora History Museum.

10/07/2026

A HUGE shout-out to Suzy Scheck who is the mastermind behind the beautifully curated themed baskets for the silent auction at our fundraiser on Wednesday, October 14 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm hosted by the Lakeside Inn.

There will be pickle ball and golf baskets, hotel stays and boat cruises, w**e and margarita baskets, ice cream and tea party baskets, dog grooming supplies and automotive care baskets and many more filled with beautiful items and gift cards to local shops and restaurants.

The following is a list of local shops and restaurants that have so generously supported our work through their donated items. If you haven’t purchased your tickets yet, you can do so here: https://www.mountdorahistoricalsociety.com/mdhs-events

PLATINUM
Lakeside Inn - Host and overnight stays
Mount Dora Historic Preservation Fund

GOLD
Becker’s Best Shoes & Body Street
Artisans on 4th
Jane Slivka - Art
North Key Suites

SILVER
Advanced Massage Works
Goblin Market
Dodi Truenow - Art
Elizabeth Farber - Art
Smithsonian - 250 year Celebration items

BRONZE
Walk in the Woods
State Farm / Kim Varnadore
Bud Tedesco - cigar box
Saga Fusion
David Cerretani
Daybreak Yoga Collective / Roots Cafe
Dora Queen
Gold Exchange
Gold in Art
Heron Cay
Jewelry by TLC
Mount Dora Carriage
Pisces- gift certificate
Publix- gift certificate
Rock Springs Ranch
Rusty Anchor- boat rides
Spice and Tea Exchange
Tony’s Chowder
Maggie’s Attic
Village Antique Mall
Mount Dora Golf Club
Eden Abbey
Adrenaline Bike Works
Peggy Kirwin - Art
El Mezcal
Cooper’s Alley
The Scherf Family - Art
Dorothy Tellin - Historic Art
Country Club of Mount Dora - golf package
First Watch
Scoops
Black Bear Golf Club - golf package
Legacy Cigar
KKO
Hobdy’s Garage
Temple of the Dog Grooming
Glide Adventures

OTHER PARTICIPATING DONORS
The Streetery
Ice House Theater
Funko
Vincent’s Italian Restaurant
1921
Back Porch Pizza
Barrel of Books
Cody’s on 4th
Maw’s Moonshine
Modernism Museum
Naples Soap
Noni’s at Olive
Shadrack’s Pizza
Shiva
Sweet Bites
Waffles and Cream
Yada Yada
Mount Dora Jerky
Ace Hardware
ABC Liquor
Mellow Mushroom
Gary Hopcraft - Art
Laura Howell - Art
Maria Hormaza - Art
June Knowles - Art
Eva’s Creations
India de Landa Contemporary Art Jewelry
Ashley’s
Dede Walker - Art
R. Owen - Art
Morna Strengholt - Art
Peppered Donkey
Cozy Nest
Mount Dora Olive Oil Company

10/01/2026

Our upcoming silent auction and raffle baskets will include many gift certificates to the best culinary delights Mount Dora has to offer. Many thanks to the following restaurants for donating gift cards for our fundraiser, which will be held on Wednesday, October 14th from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the Lakeside Inn. If you haven’t purchased your tickets yet, you can do so here: https://www.mountdorahistoricalsociety.com/mdhs-events

Goblin Market $300
Tony’s Chowder House $220
El Mezcal $200
Saigon Fusion $150
Eden Abbey $100
Pisces Rising $100
Publix $100
Scoops on 5th $100
Back Porch Pizza $75
5th Avenue Streatery $65
Cody’s on 4th $60
1921 Restaurant $50
Roots Cafe
Shadrach’s Fiery Furnace Pizza $50
Shiva $50
Vincent’s Italian Restaurant $50
Funko’s Poke Bowls $45
Mellow Mushroom $30
Sweet Bites $25
Waffles & Cream $25

Thank you again to these restaurants for supporting Mount Dora’s history!

09/29/2026

Thank you to the Mount Dora Chamber

09/27/2026

Archives update! Sixteen new items were added to the Mount Dora Archives, across seven different collections – including the new Hotels Collection. These images and documents, many of which were recently donated by Mount Dora residents, share the history of Mount Dora’s people, places and events. View these items on the Mount Dora Archives, along with our 11 collections, found here: www.mountdoraarchives.com.

09/25/2026

We are less than three weeks away from our fundraiser on Wednesday, October 14th, from 5:30 to 7:30 at the Lakeside Inn.

Many local businesses have donated amazing items for our raffle and auction baskets, and we also have beautiful artwork from some of Mount Dora’s best artists, who have graciously donated their work to help preserve history.

Thank you to Jane Slivka, Dodi Truenow, Elizabeth Farber, Peggy Kirwin, Gary Hopcraft, Laura Howell, Maria Hormaza, June Knowles, David Cerretani, Dede Walker, R. Owen, Jewelry by TLC, and Morna Strengholt for the beautiful paintings, jewelry, and other art forms. We are truly grateful for your generosity.

Purchase your tickets today to join us for appetizers, a cash bar, raffle and silent auction items, and a chance to score some gorgeous art.

https://www.mountdorahistoricalsociety.com/event-details/celebrating-mount-doras-history-2

09/24/2026

Thank you to Debbie Parker-Stevens for donating photos of the interior of Parker’s Market, located at 141 W. Fifth Avenue, on their opening day in 1966.