Maitland is one of the fastest growing communities in the Greater Orlando area. The town celebrates its history with several museums, including the Maitland Telephone Museum and the Maitland Historical Museum. This small town community is a quaint place to visit or establish your roots. Maitland's proximity to the Orlando theme parks is making it a great place to work and play.
Maitland is known as the oldest incorporated municipality in central Florida. Before the settlers, the area was inhabited by the Timucua tribe. The town is named for a lake that honored Captain William Seton Maitland. In 1838, a small military outpost was established on Lake Maitland's shores. At the end of the Civil War, the nearby area began to expand. An official post office was opened in 1872, and the town continued to grow. During the early years, Maitland was used exclusively for the production of citrus. The town remained a quiet rural village until Orlando started its suburban sprawl.
The town continues to celebrate its history throughout the downtown area. The historical corridor includes Maitland's original homes and structures in an area known as the Lake Lily - Lake Catherine area. You can find examples of these old structures throughout the town, including the Church of the Good Shepherd, the William H. Waterhouse House, and the Maitland Art Center. Many visitors stroll along the streets to get an up-close look at these magnificent buildings.
One of those historic buildings is known as the Maitland Art Center. This historical site was founded and designed by the artist J. Andre Smith in 1937. It was dedicated to the experimental arts and hosted many art events during its early days. The Art Center is now one of five museums that encompassed the Art and History Museums – Maitland (A&H) campus. The A&H offers residency programs for artists, classes for adults and children, and programming for art appreciation. The building is an example of the Mayan Revival architecture found in the town. This architecture is an interpretation of Art Deco design. The building is an integral part of early Maitland architecture and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. Today, the center is a popular place for outdoor weddings. You can rent out the main garden, the chapel, or the Mayan courtyard.
Another well-known museum is the Maitland Historical Museum. The museum offers permanent exhibits on the historical importance of the town. You can learn about the first settlers and the families that founded the A&H Museums. The legacies of the Waterhouse, Galloway, Dommerich, and Hill families are highlighted throughout the museum. You can also view artifacts, documents, and photographs as they tell the story of the early history of Maitland.
Maitland's Telephone Museum takes you on a tour of the history of this communications device. You can try your hand at an old-fashioned switchboard or explore the interesting story of the telephone. There are several hands-on displays throughout the museum. You can even learn about the history of the Winter Park Telephone Company that was founded by Maitland resident, Carl Galloway.
If you want to take a look at one of Maitland's old homes, you are in luck. A&H also operates the Waterhouse Residence Museum. This restored home is also open to the public. Built in 1884, this home was one of the first residences in Maitland. You can see how a middle-class family lived during the late Victorian period. A docent will guide you throughout the rooms as you learn about the history of Maitland. You can view authentic artifacts and discover the importance of the Waterhouse family to the area.
Finally, you can visit an authentic shop at the A&H Carpentry Shop Museum. Established in 1883, William Waterhouse based his woodworking and construction business out of the building. You can see where he built much of his family's home. The museum has several artifacts and materials that were used during the turn of the twentieth century, including tools that were used by Mr. Waterhouse.
Maitland continues to celebrate its past throughout the town. You can appreciate the hard work that helped to create the Maitland. As you explore the past, you don't want to worry about back-breaking yard work. At Lawn Love, we have you covered. Your Lawn Love pro will take care of all your landscaping needs. So that you can enjoy all of the historical architecture of Maitland without worrying about the hassles of lawn maintenance.
