The Winter Park History Museum seeks to research and preserve the abundant, history of Winter Park and its surrounding area, and tell our town's story through free educational exhibits, lecture series and outreach programs.
After 18 remarkable years of service, we are celebrating our archivist, Linda Kulmann, as she enters her well-deserved retirement.
While her official title was Archivist for the Winter Park History Museum, Linda wore many hats during her nearly two decades with us. Long before stepping into the archives, she served as President of the WPHM Board, and throughout the years she has been a writer, editor, advisor and steady guiding force for the Museum. She generously shared her many talents in service of our mission — always with care, creativity and purpose.
“Working alongside Linda has been a true privilege,” says Christy Knobloch, Executive Director at the WPHM. “Her knowledge, perspective and humor made every challenge easier, and the WPHM is unquestionably stronger because of her. I wish my dear friend a joyful, well-deserved retirement!”
Linda is witty, deeply dedicated and incredibly funny. She completed our small but mighty team and played an essential role in helping us collect, preserve and exhibit the stories that define Winter Park. More than that, Linda is a true pillar of the Winter Park community.
Linda, you will be dearly missed, but you will always be part of the Winter Park History Museum, and we look forward to welcoming you back for exhibits, events and festive occasions at the Museum.
Please join us in celebrating and thanking Linda for her tremendous contributions to the Winter Park History Museum and for 18 unforgettable years of service.
Merch Alert at the Winter Park History Museum!
Still searching for unique Christmas gifts or stocking stuffers? We’ve got you covered! From magnets and postcards to tote bags, books, ornaments and more—every item celebrates the history and charm of Winter Park.
Stop by the Museum to browse our festive selection and find something special for everyone on your list.
Museum Hours: Tue-Fri 10–4 | Sat 10–2
Location: 200 W New England Ave
What a joyful evening! Our holiday party was a wonderful opportunity to come together, celebrate this year’s accomplishments, and share our heartfelt gratitude with our supporters, volunteers, docents and board members who make our work possible. Our hearts are full!
We are deeply grateful for every visitor, every story shared and every moment spent celebrating Winter Park’s past. Here’s to an incredible year and an even brighter 2026.
Community support is essential to collecting town artifacts, preserving our shared heritage and operating a museum that brings this history to life. We invite you to support our work by joining us for exhibition openings, special tours, speaker programs and evening events.
Your contribution today helps sustain the Museum’s essential operations in the year ahead. To make a donation, please visit the link in our bio.
Our board members, docents, volunteers and their families joined Christy and Dena on Saturday for the 73rd Annual Winter Park Ye Olde Hometown Christmas Parade. We were honored to walk alongside so many Winter Park organizations, departments and local dignitaries as we celebrated the holiday season with our community.
Christy, Dena and our board member @ricklebee hit the road for a little field research! Their destination: the Lakeland History & Culture Center at the @lakelandpubliclibrary, where they explored the exhibit “From the Groves… Lakeland’s Citrus Story.”
Our three explorers toured the gallery, dug into the archives and gathered inspiration for one of our major upcoming exhibits.
Get excited and stay tuned! “Golden Roots: The History of Citrus in Winter Park” arrives next summer — and we can’t wait to share more soon.
Three things we’re grateful for – Christy Edition
This November, Christy’s thankful for our close-knit Winter Park community, the charm of our city’s trains (most of the time), and the person who finishes her sentences.
Today, our hearts are filled with gratitude as we reflect on all of our blessings. We’re so thankful for all of our supporters who help us collect, preserve and exhibit Winter Park’s rich history. Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving week!
We’ll be closed on Thanksgiving, but we’re open Friday (10–4) and Saturday (10–2) — perfect if you still have family in town and are looking for something fun to do!
Three things we’re grateful for – Dena Edition
This November, we’re reflecting on the things we love and cherish about Winter Park and our amazing community. What’s on your list?
Thank you to everyone who joined us last weekend for Echoes | 4 Artists of Winter Park! About 100 friends, supporters, and art lovers came together to celebrate the work of Don Sondag, Lynn Whipple, John Whipple, and the late Grady Kimsey. Thank you to our artists and representatives for sharing their talent and helping us honor Winter Park’s rich artistic story.
Don Sondag’s paintings invite viewers to pause—to really see the world around them. Whether he’s capturing the shimmer of a Florida waterway or the quiet strength in a subject’s expression, Don’s work reflects both mastery and mindfulness.
His portraits are known for their depth and empathy, revealing more than likeness—they reveal connection. His landscapes, in turn, celebrate the natural rhythms and light of Florida, from the subtle glow of dawn to the vibrant hues of sunset.
A fixture in Winter Park’s art community, Don has spent decades teaching and painting here, shaping the city’s creative identity as much as it has shaped him. Through his work, he continues to remind us that art doesn’t just reflect life—it deepens it.
Celebrate local art with us — and take home a piece of Winter Park’s creative legacy! Join us for Echoes | 4 Artists of Winter Park, a special pop-up exhibit featuring works by Don Sondag, Lynn Whipple, John Whipple and the late Grady Kimsey.
🗓 Opening Reception: Friday, Nov. 14 | 5–8 p.m. (beer, wine & light bites)
🖼 Artwork on Display: Saturday, Nov. 15 | 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
📍 Winter Park History Museum
Presented in conjunction with Echoes of Expression: The History of Arts & Culture in Winter Park.
Artists of Winter Park: Grady Kimsey
We are honored to feature the work of Grady Kimsey at our pop-up exhibit this week. A beloved teacher, sculptor and creative force, Grady passed away in July — but his artistic spirit continues to inspire. His work will be represented by Kim Sumner of Fine Arts 807.
Founder of the Fine Arts Gallery at Seminole Community College (now Seminole State College) and an art professor there for two decades, Grady was known throughout Central Florida and beyond for his mystical sculptures, paintings, ceramics and collages.
His mixed-media sculpture “Seekers and Keepers” is part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s collection, and his work lives on in universities, public spaces across the South and private collections. In 2016, Crealdé School of Art recognized him as an Art Legend of Orange County — a title well deserved.
Celebrate local art with us — and take home a piece of Winter Park’s creative legacy! Join us for Echoes | 4 Artists of Winter Park, a special pop-up exhibit featuring works by Don Sondag, Lynn Whipple, John Whipple and the late Grady Kimsey.
🗓 Opening Reception: Friday, Nov. 14 | 5–8 p.m. (beer, wine & light bites)
🖼 Artwork on Display: Saturday, Nov. 15 | 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
📍 Winter Park History Museum
Presented in conjunction with Echoes of Expression: The History of Arts & Culture in Winter Park.
Artists of Winter Park: John & Lynn Whipple
We’re grateful to have so many remarkable artistic talents right here in our community!
Winter Park residents John and Lynn Whipple are among Central Florida’s most admired artistic couples. Both have been an integral part of the McRae Street Art Studios community since its inception and are veterans of the outdoor art show circuit — getting inspired from their beautiful lakefront home on Lake Killarney.
Lynn Whipple is a contemporary artist and author whose vibrant works include acrylics, oils, drawings and mixed media with pencil and pastel and collage — to create joyful, expressive compositions.
John Whipple, a master of mixed media, moves fluidly between collage and sculpture. His whimsical yet thought-provoking style invites each viewer to discover their own interpretation. John says, “My paintings have always found inspiration in the combinations of the things I enjoy — whether it is the materials I choose to paint on or the subject matter I depict.”
Celebrate local art with us — and take home a piece of Winter Park’s creative legacy! Join us for Echoes | 4 Artists of Winter Park, a special pop-up exhibit featuring works by Don Sondag, Lynn Whipple, John Whipple and the late Grady Kimsey.
🗓 Opening Reception: Friday, Nov. 14 | 5–8 p.m. (beer, wine & light bites)
🖼 Artwork on Display: Saturday, Nov. 15 | 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
📍 Winter Park History Museum
Presented in conjunction with Echoes of Expression: The History of Arts & Culture in Winter Park.
Yesterday, we were honored to attend the Wild About Welbourne luncheon! Our Executive Director, Christy, proudly serves as Vice President on the Welbourne Nursery & Preschool Board of Directors.
While the Winter Park History Museum is dedicated to preserving the past, we also believe in investing in the future of our community. It was inspiring to see so many come together to support Welbourne’s important work and to hear heartfelt stories from alumni, parents and caregivers.
This November, we’re sharing what we’re especially thankful for — today, it’s our incredible community.
