Downtown Maitland doesn’t have the same level of charm as downtown Winter Park [1], but the area known as the “Cultural Corridor” can lay claim to two highly unique museums. The Maitland Historical Museum and Telephone Museum (221 W. Packwood Ave., 407/644-1364, www.maitlandhistory.org [2], noon–4 p.m. Wed.–Sun., $3 adults, $2 children, children 5 and under free), focuses on the history of the Maitland area with lots of photographs and historical documents as well as, oddly enough, on the history of the telephone.
Actually, the specific focus is on the founding of the Winter Park Telephone Company, which you’ll be reminded actually happened in Maitland, along with a cluttered room filled with ancient telephone switchboards, phone booths, and other telephone-related detritus. This odd little museum is certainly not enough to build a day around, but it’s a nice stop.
The nearby Lake Lily Park (701 Lake Lily Dr.) is home to the equally quirky Waterhouse Residence Museum and Carpentry Shop Museum (407/644-2451, www.maitlandhistory.org [2], noon–4 p.m. Wed.–Sun., $3 adults, $2 children, children 5 and under free). The Victorian-era home of builder William Waterhouse provides a snapshot look at life in the late 19th century, complete with the collection of hand-powered tools in the shed out back…otherwise known as the Carpentry Shop Museum.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/florida/metro-orlando-and-central-florida/sights/winter-park-and-maitland/downtown-winter-park
[2] http://www.maitlandhistory.org