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Fort Christmas
Historical ParkFort Christmas is located in Christmas, Florida just off State Road 50, twenty miles east of Orlando enroute to Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, and Canaveral National Seashore in Titusville. |
| On December 25, 1837, a force of 2,000 U.S. Army Soldiers and Alabama Volunteers arrived near this spot to construct a fort which was aptly named, Fort Christmas. This fort was only one of over 200 forts built during the Second Seminole Indian War, 1835 - 1842. The fort houses exhibits and a video presentation on the Seminole Indian Wars. |
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Visit the full size replica of Fort Christmas. Seven restored historical homes preserve the 'Cracker' architecture of East Orange County. The houses are interpreted to show pioneer life from the 1870s through the 1930s. Key themes are homesteading, cattle, citrus, hunting, fishing and trapping. The Fort Christmas Historical Society and Orange County Parks and Recreation Division. |
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HISTORICAL PARK HOURS
Summer -- 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Winter -- 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Hours change when the clock changes. |
| Entrance is free. There is a charge for large groups; please call for details. |
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Fort & Homes
Hours |
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Gift Shop
Hours |
| Tuesday - Sunday |
Monday - Saturday |
| 9:00 am - 4:00 pm |
8:00am - 5:00pm |
| Mondays & Holidays |
Sunday |
| Closed |
Closed |
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Operated by the Fort Christmas Historical Society. Located in the Visitors Center.
Items for sale include Pioneer and Native American toys, jewelry, crafts, books and candy.
All proceeds benefit Fort Christmas Historical Park.
Open Mon.-Sat.: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. Closed Sun. |
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Our pictorial book on Fort Christmas.
Hard copies are $25.00 each
Soft copies are $20.00 each
We will do mail order if you send a check made out to FCHS (Fort Christmas Historical Society) and add $6.50 for shipping for one book. If you want more than 1 copy, please call for prices.
Mail to: Fort Christmas Historical Park
1300 Fort Christmas Road
Christmas, Fl 32709
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EVENTS
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Cowboy Reunion
January*
Last Saturday in January, 10am - 2 pm Bring a covered dish, cowboys tell stories, door prizes.
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Militia Encampments
The weekend before Easter and the weekend before Thanksgiving*
Soldiers set up camp in front of the Fort and tell about the 2nd Seminole Indian War, Programs at 12:30pm and 2:30pm in the Fort. Musket and cannon firing demonstrations.
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Bluegrass and Craft Festival
March (third weekend)*
10am - 4pm, Entrance is free, Bring a lawn chair to sit in and enjoy the music, bands in the past have been - Moonlite Express, County Line, Seminole Ridge & New River. BBQ for sale, homemade ice cream, craft fair. Sorry, no camping.
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Old Timer's Day
The second Saturday in May*
11am - ?, Barbeque lunch, Seniors 65 and over eat free. Music - in the past has been - The Floridians, Rambling Rose etc. Bring your own lawn chair.
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Pioneer Homecoming Day
The first Saturday in October*
10am - 2pm, Descendants of East Orange Pioneers and friends of the Christmas Community gather to share their heritage. Bring a covered dish to share. Check your genealogy, door prizes.
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Cracker Christmas
First weekend in December*
10am - 4pm, Entrance is free, $5.00 parking fee per vehicle across the road from the park, BBQ pork sandwiches, chicken filets, community groups have baked goods, drinks, hotdogs, gator, sweet pickles, etc. Pioneer demonstrations - broom making, blacksmiths, basket weaving, rope making, spinning, quilting, lace making, wood carving, and many more. Santa Claus 1pm - 3pm both days, large craft fair with over 150 crafters with handmade items, the Christmas Post Office will have a booth so you can get your Christmas cards hand stamped, antique engine and tractor display, and much more.
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*Please check our Calendar of Events for exact dates.
Wheelchair Access: The first floor of the buildings in the Fort are accessible. One pioneer home has a wheelchair ramp.
2/2/02.
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