A visit to a museum is not an activity readily associated with a Florida holiday. But for a different activity (and a bit of culture), a visit to The Morse Museum is a very pleasant addition to a holiday.
Winter Park
The Morse Museum (or 'The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art' to give it its full name) is situated in Winter Park, a little way to the north of the attractions area - around a 30 or 40 minute drive along the Interstate I-4. Winter Park in itself is a pleasant destination, featuring other museums (including The Cornell Fine Arts Museum and The Albin Polasek Museum), pleasant gardens (Central Park and Kraft Azalea Gardens), and a fairly exclusive shopping area along Park Avenue.
Louis Comfort Tiffany
One of the main features at The Morse Museum is the Tiffany Exhibition, billed as one of the world's foremost collections of his work. Before visiting the museum, I must confess that my knowledge of Tiffany's work was primarily from looking at the lampshades in a TGIs restaurant. I am now enlightened - or at least have a greater understanding of the work of Louis Comfort Tiffany. He lived from 1848 to 1933, and this museum houses a wide range of his work. This work includes jewellery, pottery, paintings (whilst not his primary skill, Tiffany was a very accomplished painter) - as well as the leaded glass windows and lamps he is better known for.
1893 Chicago World Expo
Possibly the finest element of the museum's exhibits is a restoration of the chapel interior he designed for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Many reviews claim this part of the museum is worth the admission price alone - this is undoubtedly true, as admission is a bargain at just a couple of dollars. Although even this cut price admission is waived during some evenings, when visitors are admitted after 4pm without charge.
Funding
Whilst admission is low cost, the museum does not receive public funds, and therefore opportunities will be presented for small donations to be made. And, of course, merchandise is on offer, much of it in the Tiffany style.
Summary
We recommend a visit to Winter Park and The Morse Museum, particularly as a pleasant way to spend an evening - perhaps taking advantage of the free admission (although if you enjoy the exhibition, do please help fund the exhibition with a small donation). The museum is open most days, but do check before travelling.
Winter Park
The Morse Museum (or 'The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art' to give it its full name) is situated in Winter Park, a little way to the north of the attractions area - around a 30 or 40 minute drive along the Interstate I-4. Winter Park in itself is a pleasant destination, featuring other museums (including The Cornell Fine Arts Museum and The Albin Polasek Museum), pleasant gardens (Central Park and Kraft Azalea Gardens), and a fairly exclusive shopping area along Park Avenue.
Louis Comfort Tiffany
One of the main features at The Morse Museum is the Tiffany Exhibition, billed as one of the world's foremost collections of his work. Before visiting the museum, I must confess that my knowledge of Tiffany's work was primarily from looking at the lampshades in a TGIs restaurant. I am now enlightened - or at least have a greater understanding of the work of Louis Comfort Tiffany. He lived from 1848 to 1933, and this museum houses a wide range of his work. This work includes jewellery, pottery, paintings (whilst not his primary skill, Tiffany was a very accomplished painter) - as well as the leaded glass windows and lamps he is better known for.
1893 Chicago World Expo
Possibly the finest element of the museum's exhibits is a restoration of the chapel interior he designed for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Many reviews claim this part of the museum is worth the admission price alone - this is undoubtedly true, as admission is a bargain at just a couple of dollars. Although even this cut price admission is waived during some evenings, when visitors are admitted after 4pm without charge.
Funding
Whilst admission is low cost, the museum does not receive public funds, and therefore opportunities will be presented for small donations to be made. And, of course, merchandise is on offer, much of it in the Tiffany style.
Summary
We recommend a visit to Winter Park and The Morse Museum, particularly as a pleasant way to spend an evening - perhaps taking advantage of the free admission (although if you enjoy the exhibition, do please help fund the exhibition with a small donation). The museum is open most days, but do check before travelling.