Explore the towns of England


A Walk through Winter Park - A Hint of New England in Florida

Just a few minutes north of downtown Orlandorelaxation with its graceful fountain,
awaits Winter Park, a charming picturesquewalking paths and shaded benches.We then went
suburb steeped in history. After my excursionon to explore Casa Feliz ("Happy House" in
on the Scenic Boat Tour, my local expertSpanish), the signature residential work of
Wanda Salerno took me on a little walkrenowned architect James Gamble Rogers II.In
through town past beautiful historic1932 Robert Bruce Barbour, a chemical
neighbourhoods.With is origins as a citrusengineer from Massachusetts, commissioned
growing region, Winter Park became a majorRogers to design a home on Lake Osceola,
destination for wealthy northerners duringwhich turned out to be the Andalusian-style
the early 1900s, who came into town by trainmasonry farmhouse that we see today. This
to reach their elegant winter retreats,home was not only cherished by Barbour, but
seeking shelter from the cold winters of theby the community as well. Throughout its
north. Elegant mansions and and stately oldhistory, it has hosted garden club tours,
oak trees draped with Spanish moss bearsymphony orchestra concerts, poetry social
witness to this historic era.Wanda then tookmeetings and a dinner for author Sinclair
me through some of Winter Park's hiddenLewis.In 2001, in order to prevent the house
courtyards,  which  arefrom demolition, Casa Feliz was moved across
Interlachen Avenue to its present location on
filled with specialty retail stores andPark Avenue. This move was one of the most
galleries. Winter Park features a largedramatic events in Winter Park's history.
variety of galleries and I had a chance toCasa Feliz was transported on 20
sample three of them, all of which carriedpneumatically levelled dollies, and an
vastly different artwork:- Scott Laurentelaborate pulley system moved the house about
Collections75 feet per hour. After the house was in
position at its new location, skilled
-  Native  Visions  Gallerycraftsmen worked on restoring it to its
original 1933 condition. A special landscape
- Timothy'sOur walk took us out on to Winterdesign was commissioned to reflect the style
Park's main street, Park Avenue, which housesof the era.Today, Casa Feliz is available to
10 blocks of specialty retailers, galleriesrent for weddings, parties, business meetings
and ecclectic restaurants. Park Avenue isand events. Its unique features provide the
flanked on its west side by Central Parkperfect backdrop for a truly memorable event.
which offers a welcome sanctuary of



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