Topic: The History of Winter Park – thru 1930

Speaker: Rick Baldwin

Date: Thursday, January 16, 2025

Doors open: 9:45 A.M.

Program Time: 10:00 – 11:30 A.M.

Location: Azalea Lodge, Mead Botanical Garden, 1300 S. Denning Drive Winter Park, FL

Cost: Free – Join us for refreshments and conversation

The new year starts off strong with a presentation from local boy Rick Baldwin, Vic President of the Winter Park Historical Association, that builds on his entertaining talk last year on Winter Park’s founding. He enlightened attendees on Winter Park’s Early Years—Part One, from 1881 when the original 600 acres of land was purchased to become our beautiful city, until 1895 when Winter Park suffered back-to-back devastating freezes and the city languishe for nearly 10 years. He will pick up there for Part Two and share the excitement that developed when financial benefactor Charles Hosmer Morse teamed up with Harold Ward to restore life of the town and create the blueprint for the charming and thriving Winter Park we know today. In Part Two he will transport listeners through those years up until the Great Depression when dramatic circumstances hit the city. He will show through this historical visit of Winter Park how the city’s early values are preserved and honored today.

Rick was born in Winter Park where his forefathers operated Baldwin’s Hardware Store on Park Avenue from 1923 until 1970. He attended Park Avenue Elementary School, Glenridge Junior High and Winter Park High School. He graduated from Miami-Dade Junior College, School of Mortuary Science and the UCF College of Business with a degree in accounting. He spent his professional career providing end-of-life services throughout Florida.

The Life Explorers Speakers Series is held in the Azalea Lodge of Mead Botanical Garden from 10-11:30 a.m. The program is free of charge with light refreshments and coffee served.