2026 Historic Preservation Calendar Theme

The 2026 Historic Preservation Board calendar and photography competition will focus on Orlando’s “Painted Ladies.”

What is a painted lady? In historic architecture, any home painted with three or more colors that embellish or enhance the architectural details is considered a painted lady. San Francisco has a famous row of Victorian Painted Ladies that was featured in the opening credits of the television series Full House in the 1990’s. But Orlando has many beautifully painted homes as well. And since the theme of the calendar is color, McCoy Federal Credit Union has generously offered to sponsor the increase cost. The Historic Preservation Board has not produced a color calendar since 2006! So get out and explore your neighborhoods and show us the rich and diverse artistry property owners have used to express their homes features.

For the purposes of this competition, any structure over 50 years old in a historic neighborhood, not just historic preservation districts will qualify. A good rule of thumb would be to stay within the city’s Traditional Zoning Overlay area.

Submission subjects can be of individual details or an entire structure.  

To be eligible for the calendar, subject matter should be from structures that are at least 50 years old (generally, pre-1970) and be located within the traditional areas of Orlando.