Windermere Memory Event at Franklin W. Chase Memorial Library

As John Mills Nabers said in 2004, living in Windermere is a special privilege; its residents tend to form an emotional bond to the town. Over the years people have written poems about it and some have even written songs.  They speak of its beautiful lakes, trees, and flowers.

Windermere was incorporated as a city in 1925 with population of under 300 residents.  As of 2014 the town had 2,772 residents living in 983 households.

On March 13th and March 21st, 2015, Windermere Library staff invited local residents to share their story about living “Among the Lakes”.

Explore the oral history interviews below. Click on blue text to watch the YouTube videos and click on the audio player arrow to listen to the audio only interviews.

Interview with Mayor Gary Bruhn

Interview with Nancy Lahey

Interview with Chris Rochell – Chris Rochell moved to Central Florida with his parents in 1962. He has been a piano teacher for 30 years now and serving Windermere customers since the 90’s. Chris talks about town’s growth, Tennessee and the changes before and after Disney World opened.

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Interview with Rosa Fernandez

Interview with Hannah Ammar

Interview with Kate Hensler – Kate Hensler has moved to Windermere from Winter Garden. She talks about increased traffic, population growth and her favorite places and things to do around the town of Windermere.

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Interview with Nancy Guzzi – Nancy moved to Windermere from Boston 10 years ago. She is retired school teacher. In the interview she talks about population growth, increased traffic and how pretty and small the town is.

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Interview with Winifred Johnson Sharp and McCarthy McCollough

Interview with Ellen Chase

Interview with Stephanie Desaulniers

Listen to Oral History Interview with Frank W. Chase conducted April 16, 1975.

Article about the Windermere Schoolhouse 

Do you have a Windermere Town memory to share?

Please contact Orlando Memory or speak to us at the library.