Melissa Donovan
As part of its 150th anniversary celebration, the City of Orlando hosted a special ribbon-cutting and opening reception on July 9, 2025, for a new public art exhibition titled “The Changing Face of Orlando: A Sesquicentennial Celebration.” The event took place at the Terrace Gallery inside Orlando City Hall, drawing residents, visitors, and local leaders to commemorate the city’s vibrant history and ongoing transformation.
Presented by T.G. Lee Dairy and sponsored by the Orange County Regional History Center, the exhibition offered a compelling visual narrative of Orlando’s growth over the past 150 years. The display featured 12 historic photographs paired with modern-day recreations, showcasing how the city’s landscapes, architecture, and communities have evolved. From downtown street scenes to neighborhood landmarks, each image captured a moment in time from one of Orlando’s six city districts.
Local artists and photographers—including John Baker, Peterson Guerrier, Jim Hobart, Steven Madow, Walter Phuego, and Kayla Smith—lent their creative perspectives to the project, creating a dynamic contrast between past and present. The result was a striking tribute to the people, places, and culture that have helped shape the city since its founding in 1875.
The exhibition aimed to bridge generations, celebrating Orlando’s heritage while reflecting the diversity and innovation driving its future. It remained on display at the Terrace Gallery at Orlando City Hall, located at 400 South Orange Avenue, through August 31, 2025.
Orlando’s 150th anniversary year featured a wide array of celebrations, including community events, historical exhibits, and public art installations. With over 300,000 residents, Orlando has grown from a modest frontier town into a thriving metropolitan hub known for its arts, culture, sports, natural spaces, and diverse dining and business scenes.
In addition to cultural programming, the City of Orlando, in partnership with Keep Orlando Beautiful and other community organizations, organized a citywide day of service on July 31, 2025. Opportunities were available across all six city districts, allowing residents to engage in projects ranging from neighborhood beautification to senior support and hunger relief.
Through initiatives like “The Changing Face of Orlando” and citywide volunteer efforts, the sesquicentennial served as both a celebration of Orlando’s legacy and a call to community involvement.
Comments