Osceola County Pioneer Museum

Central Florida is certainly a study in contrast. Travel east down Highway 192 in Kissimmee and around marker 14 you'll see a castle and then a Super Wal-Mart. Turn the corner at the lights onto Bass Road and right after that humungous parking lot and there's a turn-of-the-century farm. It is as close to time travel as you'll ever get.

The Osceola County Pioneer Museum is an earnet effort by hard-working volunteers to keep true to the history that took place long before Walt ever appeared on the scene. Kissimmee was home to ranchers, called "Crackers," for the long whips that made that cracking sound as they'd use them with cattle.

The museum is open 10:00 to 4:00 Thursday through Saturday and Sunday 12:00 to 4:00. Requested donations are $2.00 per adult, $1.00 per child and children 4 and under are free.

Pull in and you'll immediately wonder where to park. There isn't any parking lot; just wide open field. There are no signs and no real plan. The whole compound is rather ambiguous. Just pull over by the fence and go for the walking tour.

There may or may not be a volunteer guide available, but you don't really need one to explain.

It's life as it once was:

the farmhouse with it's antiques,

the old barber shop in back of the country store,

and the old school house.

There is also a hodge-podge of collections and memoriabilia. It's not really as much museum as Grandpa's garage (and I mean no disrespect) but it is still worth a walk-through. You just have to be careful as you go! The space is pretty tight for navigating.

One thing that's nice is just letting the kids run around. It is quiet. It is safe. It is truly a step back in time.

About the only thing to caution you on is that the antique items are too accessible to little hands and this is not a "hands-on" museum for kids. It's to look at, and not to touch.

While you are there, see if the nature walk across the street is open. This is a small conversation area sandwiched between two new housing developments. You walk down a curvy path (cut by local boyscouts) down to the wooden walk-way over a swamp. Will there be alligators? No telling! Those moments in the swamp area will remind you that even before tourism, or Crackers, was a time of pristine beauty.

Central Florida, is indeed a study in contrast.

As you pull out of museum, consider going right instead of left. You'll come to the most interesting resort I hope you never check into. Give Kids the World can only be glimpsed from the other side of the wall on Bass Road, for those with healthy kids. Only those children who are fighting life-threatening illnesses are invited in. They are given a completely free visit to the resort and attractions in Central Florida. This non-profit organization relies on donations to make these dreams come true.

It's sobering to remember that, for some, a trip to Orlando is a dying wish. It's good to count your blessings and vow that your vacation will be spent enjoying each other.

Osceola County Pioneer Museum Map