| Just a few minutes north of downtown Orlando | | | | on to explore Casa Feliz ("Happy House" in |
| awaits Winter Park, a charming picturesque | | | | Spanish), the signature residential work of |
| suburb steeped in history. After my excursion on | | | | renowned architect James Gamble Rogers II.In |
| the Scenic Boat Tour, my local expert Wanda | | | | 1932 Robert Bruce Barbour, a chemical engineer |
| Salerno took me on a little walk through town | | | | from Massachusetts, commissioned Rogers to |
| past beautiful historic neighbourhoods.With is | | | | design a home on Lake Osceola, which turned out |
| origins as a citrus growing region, Winter Park | | | | to be the Andalusian-style masonry farmhouse |
| became a major destination for wealthy | | | | that we see today. This home was not only |
| northerners during the early 1900s, who came | | | | cherished by Barbour, but by the community as |
| into town by train to reach their elegant winter | | | | well. Throughout its history, it has hosted garden |
| retreats, seeking shelter from the cold winters of | | | | club tours, symphony orchestra concerts, poetry |
| the north. Elegant mansions and and stately old | | | | social meetings and a dinner for author Sinclair |
| oak trees draped with Spanish moss bear witness | | | | Lewis.In 2001, in order to prevent the house from |
| to this historic era.Wanda then took me through | | | | demolition, Casa Feliz was moved across |
| some of Winter Park's hidden courtyards, which | | | | Interlachen Avenue to its present location on Park |
| are | | | | Avenue. This move was one of the most |
| filled with specialty retail stores and galleries. | | | | dramatic events in Winter Park's history. Casa |
| Winter Park features a large variety of galleries | | | | Feliz was transported on 20 pneumatically levelled |
| and I had a chance to sample three of them, all | | | | dollies, and an elaborate pulley system moved the |
| of which carried vastly different artwork:- Scott | | | | house about 75 feet per hour. After the house |
| Laurent Collections | | | | was in position at its new location, skilled |
| - Native Visions Gallery | | | | craftsmen worked on restoring it to its original |
| - Timothy'sOur walk took us out on to Winter | | | | 1933 condition. A special landscape design was |
| Park's main street, Park Avenue, which houses 10 | | | | commissioned to reflect the style of the |
| blocks of specialty retailers, galleries and ecclectic | | | | era.Today, Casa Feliz is available to rent for |
| restaurants. Park Avenue is flanked on its west | | | | weddings, parties, business meetings and events. |
| side by Central Park which offers a welcome | | | | Its unique features provide the perfect backdrop |
| sanctuary of relaxation with its graceful fountain, | | | | for a truly memorable event. |
| walking paths and shaded benches.We then went | | | | |