Transfer of All Memorial Items

July 14, 2016

Cassandra Lafser, Press Secretary

City of Orlando

Office: 407-246-2182 Mobile: 407-404-3159 or cassandra.lafser@orlando.gov

Carrie Proudfit, Public Information Officer

Orange County Government

Office: 407-836-5429 Mobile: 407-461-8796 or carrie.proudfit@ocfl.net

July 14, 2016 – ORLANDO, FL- On Monday, July 18, the Orange County Regional History Center staff will complete their efforts to carefully collect and archive all the non-perishable tribute items that have been placed at the Seneff Arts Plaza at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts; all items will be catalogued and photographed prior to their long-term preservation at the Orange County Regional History Center.  With assistance from the Orange County Facilities Maintenance team, the City will collect the remaining flowers and bring them to Leu Gardens where they will be organically turned into soil that will be used in gardens throughout the City.  The City will also be collecting the candles and storing them.

 

“As we take this next step in the long healing process it remains important that these items are protected for the victims, the families, the community and future generations,” said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. “I look forward to working with our community on creating a permanent space that will preserve the memory of those who lost their lives, provide comfort to those who seek it and honor the spirit and love of our great City.“

 

“We are so honored for Orange County’s History Center to serve as the permanent caretaker and curator of the extraordinary memorial items that have been created in tribute to the innocent souls who perished at Pulse,” said Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs. “By cherishing these items, we honor the memory of all those impacted by this tragedy. By keeping history alive for future generations, we are showing the world that the Central Florida is a community in which diversity is viewed as a fundamental strength – a source of unity and celebration, not division. We are saying to the world that love wins, and that hate will not triumph.”

“The LGBT community thanks the History Center for their thoughtful and careful actions to preserve the world’s outpouring of support during this difficult time,” said Terry DeCarlo Executive Director the GLBT Community Center of Orlando.  “We want to make sure these items will be around so generations will be able to come and see how the world came together to support Orlando during this time of tragedy.”

 

The City encourages anyone who wants to help the victims of the Pulse tragedy and their families, to support the OneOrlando Fund. Funds collected will provide critical support directly to the victims’ families and survivors, many of whose lives have been changed forever as a result of the tragedy.  To support the victims’ families and survivors, visit OneOrlando.org.

The City remains committed to creating a permanent memorial through an open and transparent process that includes input from victims, families and the larger community.

 

The City will be establishing a community-based committee to oversee the process of creating this meaningful memorial where everyone can remember each of those who were taken from us and the love they brought into this world.

 

Details including a timeline or a location have not been established.  The City asks for patience as together we continue with this very sensitive and difficult work that will pay tribute to victims, survivors, families and our community.

 

The One Orlando Collection Initiative is a partnership between Orange County and the City of Orlando, and was established to preserve history and properly care for the many thousands of tribute items created in response to the tragic loss of life that occurred on June 12, 2016 at Pulse nightclub. Since the tragedy, Orange County’s History Center has collected and preserved well over 2,500 items, including the 49 Pulse Crosses that were previously on display at Orlando Regional Medical Center.  Orange County’s History Center will continue to actively remove items from the various temporary memorial sites throughout Central Florida. The History Center will also be collecting other items related to the event, including photographs, stories, social media items, artwork, and more, so these memories will be available for future generations. To share your story, contribute memorial items, or for more information, please visit www.thehistorycenter.org.

#OrlandoUnited

###