Discover Maitland: Art, Museums and History

In Maitland, things to explore range from early local history and art to telephone archives, a market and walking classes. To plan your stay, it helps to look at the dates first: the Maitland Farmer’s Market is scheduled for Sundays, and walking classes take place monthly. Museum visits have their own admission and access requirements, which you should check before traveling.

Local History and Art in Maitland

The Waterhouse Residence Museum building was constructed in 1884 by William H. Waterhouse as a family home. Waterhouse was a pioneer settler and builder. The museum focuses on the life of a middle-class family in Maitland’s early years, during the period in American history known as the Gilded Age. This places a family’s perspective on the city’s history at the center. The Waterhouse Residence Museum is currently closed for renovations; check its current status before planning a visit.

The Maitland Art Center offers a different historical point of reference. The visionary artist J. André Smith founded it in the 1930s as a retreat for artists. It is also the only National Historic Landmark in the greater Orlando area. Its founding and designation are distinct aspects: one describes its original purpose, while the other reflects the Art Center’s special status in the region.

One ticket includes admission to the Maitland Art Center, the Maitland History Museum and the Telephone Museum. If you plan to visit several of these sites, you can use this combined admission as a guide. Check the latest admission and access information before your visit, as it may change.

Collections, Markets and Parks

The Telephone Museum offers another thematic focus. Its collection includes archives from the Winter Park Telephone Company dating from 1913 to 1979. Unlike the family history at the Waterhouse Residence Museum, this museum focuses on a company. These two perspectives offer different starting points for a history-focused visit, without telling the same story.

For an outdoor outing, the Maitland Farmer’s Market is a specific option: it is scheduled for Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Lake Lily Park. The park covers 10 acres. At the market, Performing Arts Matter provides live music; the performers and program may vary. If you want to plan your stay around the market, check the latest hours and event information in advance.

Another regular offering is the monthly walking classes at Maitland Community Park, held in partnership with Wekiwa Springs State Park. The class schedule is a separate planning consideration from the Sunday market. Confirm the current date before planning your trip around it.

The activities therefore have distinctly different timeframes: the market has a scheduled Sunday window, while the walking classes take place monthly. The museums add historical and artistic themes to these events, with the Waterhouse Residence Museum’s current access status being especially important to check. If you’re looking for a hotel in Maitland, it may therefore make sense to first identify the places you want to visit and check their current schedules, then choose a suitable time to travel.

Discover more destinations: Ocoee, Bay Lake, Lake Butler, Doctor Phillips, Zellwood, Orlando, Tangelo Park, Lake Buena Vista.

Back to the main travel overview: Orange.