CENTRAL FLORIDA SUMMER GETAWAY 2023

CENTRAL FLORIDA GETAWAY NEAR ORLANDOExterior view of Thurston House

Who says you can’t vacation in Central Florida in the summertime?

Summer is the perfect time to explore Orlando’s numerous museums—inside luxuriously air-conditioned surroundings. Make Thurston House Bed & Breakfast your home-away-from-home for a few days while you discover art, history, and theater—all less than five miles away.

Thurston House is set on eight park-like acres in Maitland, just north of Orlando’s city limits. Built in 1885, this Queen-Anne Victorian has its own story to tell, with gleaming pine woodwork in relaxing parlors and modern hotel comforts in our three unique guest rooms. Set your personal room thermostat as cool as you’d like!

What to Do to Stay Cool in Central Florida Summers

Once you’ve settled into your Thurston House home-away-from-home, head over to the largest collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany, held by the Morse Museum of American Art in Winter Park. Browse the Museum Shop where you just might find Tiffany-designed jewelry you can’t live without! Then, step outside for just a moment to discover one of dozens of cool bistros or bars for lunch or dinner.

The Orlando area boasts many other art venues where you can continue your cool end-of-summer getaway. The Rollins Museum of Art, also in Winter Park, is featuring several new exhibitions running throughout the summer. A short mile’s drive to Loch Haven Cultural Park (Orlando) is the Orlando Museum of Art, and it’s large permanent contemporary collection.

The intimate Mennello Museum of American Art, also in Loch Haven Park, primarily displays the permanent collection of paintings by Earl Cunningham. As you approach, don’t miss the 350-year-old sprawling live oak tree draped with Spanish moss called “The Mayor” in the Mennello Sculpture Gardens. Art’s not your thing? Stay cool at the Orlando Science Center or the Orlando Fire Museum …yes, also in Loch Haven Park.

Perhaps you’d like to beat the heat with some dramatic entertainment in a cool theater setting. We have that too! The Orlando Shakespeare Theater is only a few miles from Thurston House, and the Winter Park Playhouse is even closer. In August, the Playhouse opens Two for Murder, a new production combining “classic musical comedy and madcap mystery.” This should be fun!

Front of theater for end-of-summer getaway near Orlando

Last but not least…Enzian Theater, right here in Maitland, is another fabulous strategy for a cool getaway during the last hot days of summer. Enzian is a single-screen cinema café and prides itself on being Central Florida’s only alternative cinema offering independent, foreign, and classic films.

Who says you have to stay home to endure Central Florida’s summer heat? Summer won’t last forever…check availability now!

 

Art & History Together North Orlando

Yes, Art & History together north Orlando. Three new exhibits just opened at the fabulous Art & History Museums – Maitland.  Just minutes away from our Central Florida Bed & Breakfast Thurston House , you can  hop in your car or take a short stroll over there. Yes, Art & History together here in Central Florida!

Exhibit #1 – The Maitland Art Center continues to honor the legacy of founder Andre Smith by bringing back the Artist-In-Residence Program. The first artist who has spent 6 weeks living and working on the grounds is Josette Urso. She worked primarily in the gardens making oil paintings, watercolors and drawings.

Exhibit #2 – Heavy Metal – No, not music but abstract arrangements of painted metal and found remains, innovative works by Rocky Bridges.

Exhibit #3 – Family Ties – No, not the TV show! With this interactive exhibition you can learn how to trace your own ancestry while you explore the history of Maitland’s founding families.

Such a unique and wonderful facility, a place where you could easily spend a few hours just enjoying the gardens and gallery. There is even an outdoor chapel and courtyard with wonderful Mayan themed artwork. Don’t forget about the fabulous gift shop too!

Remember, that is Art & History together, here in beautiful Maitland Central Florida!

 

 

 

Andre Smith, Art & Maitland History

Thurston House is just minutes from a most fascinating complex of buildings and gardens – The Maitland Art Center.

“A Day in the Life of the Research Studio”

June 8, 2012 – Sept. 19, 2012

André Smith (1880 – 1959) founded the Research Studio (now called the A&H’s Maitland Art Center) in 1937. He first invited artists to live and create within its walls in January 1938. These artists were called “Bok Fellows,” after Smith’s great patron, Mary Curtis Bok. From (1938 – 1959), nearly 70 individuals participated in this great experiment, including Milton Avery, Doris Lee, Ralston Crawford, and more. What was their day-to-day life like? Using artworks and recently-donated color photography as documentation, the exhibition will recreate the atmosphere of that classic period.

 Maitland Art Center Galleries
231 W. Packwood Avenue, Maitland, FL 32751
Tuesday – Sunday, 11 am – 4 pm

 And don’t miss the history museum next door –


Maitland’s Legacies: Creativity & Innovation

New permanent exhibit

 The story of Maitland’s legacies united all of the Art & History Museums – Maitland, and extends beyond local geography, mirroring many American communities. The important individuals and families that made up these legacies include the Waterhouse family, the Galloway family, André Smith, and many others, including the Dommerichs, the Hills, and many more.

 What united these people that founded our institutions? These pioneers were creative, innovative, entrepreneurial, and visionary. They came to this new, verdant place and made opportunities for themselves and others. Drawn from a variety of social classes, they built both culture and community. Using archival photographs, artifacts, and documents, the exhibition will explore these stories as they relate to the economic, technological, and social aspects of the American experience. There is even a little section for Thurston House!

 Maitland Historical Museum
221 W. Packwood Avenue, Maitland, FL 32751
Thursday – Sunday 12p.m. – 4p.m.

 Both the Maitland Art Center and the Historical Museum are a short drive or a pleasant stroll from Thurston House, North Orlando’s finest bed & breakfast accommodation!

Art & History – Maitland – Central Florida

With a MissionStatement like this –

“We engage the public by educating, collecting, preserving, interpreting, exhibiting, and promoting art and history reflective of the American experience inspired by Maitland’s heritage and the legacy of André Smith’s Research Studio.

Through our multidisciplinary collections, unique architectural environment, and inspirational programming, we stimulate thought, spark the imagination, enrich the spirit, and foster appreciation in art, historical research, and preservation.”…..

you can be assured this organization – Art & History – Maitland – is truly something special.

The organization boasts 5 museums, everything from an 1884 Carpentry Shop & Waterhouse Residence, a Mayan themed Artist Colony, to an Antique Telephone Museum and much more. Ongoing art and history exhibits fascinate and delight the senses. Culture & Cocktail programs offer another unique view of what this organization is about. Couldn’t you use a bit of CULTURE right now?

All museums are a short stroll or drive from Thurston House, North Orlando’s finest bed & breakfast accommodation.

Special Event Venues in Central Florida

Thurston House yard overlooking Lake Eulalia

Thurston House Bed & Breakfast in Maitland is a beautiful place, but alas we cannot host special events. That’s OK, because it means that our fabulous setting amid 8 lakefront acres will be a quiet oasis for your getaway. 

Just minutes away from us there are five inspirational venues for your celebration or meeting . At the Maitland Art Center you find – The Chapel & Mayan Courtyard, The Main Garden, and The Germaine Marvel Building. At Lake Lily you find – The Cottage at Lake Lily and The Waterhouse Residence Museum Lawn. They all have unique characteristics, and I am sure one will be absolutely perfect for your needs! Contact Lauren Murphy to discuss your needs and plan your event – lauren@artandhistory.org or #407-539-2181 ext. 253.

Then, don’t forget to book your room or rooms at our Central Florida Bed & Breakfast, Thurston House!

A Chickering at Maitland B&B!

Thurston House front parlour morning

The front parlour of Thurston House, our North Orlando Bed & Breakfast, is home to a beautiful 1858 Chickering Square Grand Piano. The Smithsonian Institution considers this exact model piano to be of such historical significance to include it in the museum’s “Piano 300” Exhibition now on display in Washington, D. C.
The Square Piano was the mainstay of the American home during the latter half of the 19th century, and the Chickering Company was at the very forefront of innovation at the time. Superior action design and the first patented use of the full iron frame provide this piece with tone quality and repetition speed unrivaled by most other manufacturers of this period. Brahms, Liszt, Strauss, and Tchaikovski were still composing in 1858, when this piano rolled out of Chickering’s Boston factory. Such Romantic era music can be faithfully reproduced on this period piano, and the cabinet beautifully reflects the early Victorian style.

Beautiful gold colored iron work inside the Chickering

On loan from the Art & History Museums – Maitland, this beautiful piano graces the area of the front parlour polygonal bay windows. In the morning, subdued sunlight comes through the elegant lace curtains, making the entire room glow softly. Bed & breakfast guests appreciate the beauty of the rosewood case, and the interior decorative gold colored iron castings. This piano is quite fitting for our circa 1885 home!

Art & History in Central Florida!

The Maitland Art & History Association just launched a brand new website! This new site better reflects their mission to the community of Maitland North Orlando after they merged the Maitland Art Center and the Maitland Historical Society several months ago. Check out their facilities, including several museum buildings, and plan your visit to this wonderful area. Be sure to check the list of current events and even classes that are offered periodically. You can even hold a special event, such as a wedding or baby shower, at one of the organizations several venues. And they are all just minutes from our Central Florida B&B, Thurston House!

Exquisite Harmony at the Maitland Art Center

Coming in September – Exquisite Harmony, works in collage by Elizabeth St. Hilaire Nelson. There is an opening reception Friday, September 10 from 6-8pm, then “Meet the Artist” on September 11th at 1pm. There is even a collage workshop planned for Friday-Sunday, October 22-24, from 10-4pm. Come and learn from the best, the artist herself!

The Maitland Art and History Association at the Maitland Center has a lot of great events planned in the upcoming months!

Latest Exhibition at Maitland Art Center!

Current Exhibitions

William Vincent Kirkpatrick: American Impressionist

 

July 16- September 5, 2010

Florida Impressionist painter William Vincent Kirkpatrick was born in St. Augustine in 1939. The artist studied at the Maitland Art Center (originally called the Research Studio) with Lois Bartlett Tracy, who was a Bok Fellow (resident artist) in 1950, near the end of founder André Smith’s life. His entire estate and collection was kept by the family from the public until the last few years. This exhibition comes to Maitland courtesy of Baterbys Art Auction Gallery.

Gallery Admission:
         Members Free
         Not-Yet-Members, $3.00
         Seniors (65 and over), Maitland Residents, Students (12 thru 22), $2.00

Gallery Hours:

Tuesday – Sunday 11:00 am – 4:00 pm         Closed Mondays and Major Holidays

This amazing museum facility is only minutes from Thurston House. Add it to the list of must do’s when booking a room at our beautiful Central Florida Bed & Breakfast!