Certified Wildlife Habitat in Central Florida!

Our north Orlando Bed & Breakfast accommodation, Thurston House, proudly supports this program that is offered by the National Wildlife Federation.  It is a very simple process to qualify. By providing food, water, cover and places for wildlife to raise their young, your garden can join the more than 150,000 Certifed Wildlife Habitat sites across the country.

Here are the components needed –

Food – Many of our yard trees and bushes have berries. The fruit trees provide flowers and then the fruit itself. A variety of flowers are very popular with butterflies and hummingbirds.

Water – We overlook beautiful Lake Eulalia but also have a bird bath.

Cover and places to live – We are surrounded by 8 acres of lush land with many trees and bushes offering a safe home for a variety of wildlife. Even the tall trees provide homes to owls and raccoons.

 You don’t have to have a huge yard or a lake to qualify, just be creative on how you can offer these components to your local wildlife. Do it now!
 

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!

Central Florida Amazing Bed & Breakfast Special Deal!

Not often does a special this good come along. Thurston House in North Orlando, Maitland is offering a 30% discount for reservations booked by 6/20. Everyone loves a deal, and when it has to do with a two night stay at a lovely bed & breakfast, all the better! Book by the end of day June 20th for a two night stay and receive a 30% dicounted price! This deal is only available for August 16-26, and October 1-31. Rooms must be prepaid in full, and there is no cancellation allowed. Enjoy the best of Central Florida with many special places to see, areas for shopping and great dining options. This great deal may only come once in a lifetime so BOOK NOW! When you book online, the innkeeper will make the neccesary adjustments then send an updated reservation confirmation to you. Or…you can just call and take care of it.

The August dates will show you Sizzling Central Florida Summer at its best! The October dates will introduce you to foliage, Florida style. The Golden Rain trees will show off their fall colors just for you. There are also two arts festivals the month of October – The Maitland Rotary Art Under the Stars 10/5-7 and the Winter Park Autumn Art Festival 10/13-14.    

With such a great deal you’ll have plenty of money left for enjoying all that Central Florida offers to you! HURRY!

Central Florida Last Minute Gift Idea!

What do you get someone who has everything they need? How about an eagle, osprey or even an owl? At the Florida Audubon Birds of Prey Center in Maitland there are many birds just waiting for a family to adopt them. Click on their website link and start shopping for that perfect bird gift. Then, plan a trip to Thurston House Central Florida B&B to visit your bird. We are just a short stroll away!

Autumn at Central Florida B&B!

Golden Rain Tree at Maitland B&B

When you mention Fall, those from up north picture colorful maple leaves over vast hilly areas. We in the North Orlando Maitland Winter Park area also experience Fall, but in a different manner. The days are cooler and less humid, the yards are greener and the beautiful Golden Rain Tree shows off it’s spectacular colors. They start with their green leaves, then beautiful little yellow flowers in clusters, then last are pink pods everywhere!

Butterfly on penta plant

The birds and other wildlife seem to notice the change too. Just the past week I have noticed so many more birds flying around, along with many beautiful butterflies trying out our landscape. It is glorious here! Aren’t you due for a visit to our North Orlando bed & breakfast soon?

For a really special deal, check out our latest Living Social Escape deal that just went live today. It’s available for only a limited time so hurry!

Central Florida Inn Celebrates 19 years!

Thurston House, the only North Orlando bed & breakfast accommodation in Maitland Winter Park celebrates 19 years! Guests have been from far reaching places, coming from 24 countries, every state and even 4 territories.

NBC News filming with Matt Lauer

One claim to fame was when Florence Henderson – yes Mrs. Brady – stayed with us for several nights while filming a local ad. Our other claim to fame was more recent when NBC news arranged for Matt Lauer to film an interview on our porch. It was lots of fun!

Come see why everyone loves staying at Thurston House, many coming back over & over again!

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!

Celebrating 50 Years at Leu Gardens!

One of our favorite local places, Leu Gardens is 50 this year! Located only 15 minutes from Thurston House B&B in North Orlando, it is a guest favorite too!

Harry P. Leu Gardens features paved scenic walkways for a self guided, self paced visit that takes you through fifty acres of southern styled gardens including:

  • America’s third largest Camellia collection

  • Three acres of idea gardens for weekend projects

  • The largest formal rose garden in Florida. 

  • A National Historic House dating from the 1880’s. 

  • Two acre Tropical Stream Garden

  • Vegetable and Herb Garden

  • Butterfly Garden

  • Palm, bamboo and cycad gardens

The Mission of Harry P. Leu Gardens is to inspire people to appreciate and understand plants, the environment of Central Florida and the Gardens’ historic significance.

The Leu House Museum is open 10:00 a.m. -4:00 p.m. with tours every thirty minutes on the half hour.  The last tour begins at 3:30 p.m.  The Leu House Museum is closed in July

Classes and symposia on landscaping, horticulture, fine arts, crafts and children’s classes are available with pre-registration.  Click on “Education” in the column on the left for more information.

Hours:  Gardens open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. except Christmas day. Last Garden admission at 4:00 pm.

This is a must see for those venturing into Central Florida!

Full Sail University Winter Park Expanding Again!

The real-estate arm of the area’s fastest-growing digital-arts school, Full Sail University, has acquired a $17.5 million office park with nine buildings near the school on Semoran Boulevard in Winter Park. Silver City Lakeview LLC purchased Lakeview Office Park, with 225,550 square feet of office space, about a half mile from the University Boulevard campus.

Full Sail students

This school has grown with amazing speed, and now graduates students every single month! Recently there have been Full Sail graduates involved in two high profile movies – Thor and Transformers. Two years ago students even filmed here at Thurston House – Murder at Lou’s Bed & Breakfast…what fun!

Our North Orlando Maitland Winter Park Bed & Breakfast accommodation is just a short drive from campus, making us a perfect accommodation for friends and family coming into town to visit students or to attend a graduation.