On the two-year mark after the Pulse nightclub shooting that left 49 dead, the City Beautiful again took time to remember Orlando’s darkest hour. It’s important to recount how the city came together. Countless artworks, gifts and letters were left at impromptu memorial sites across the United States, paying tribute to the Pulse victims and survivors. Orange County government and the Orange County Regional History Center have worked to collect, preserve and catalog these artifacts, and you can view them at the One Orlando Collection website, as well as at a yearlong exhibit that opened at the Orange County Regional History Center in June 2018. To highlight this special exhibit, here are 49 of those keepsakes.

Mesh Bag with a Printed Note Description: Black mesh bag with 49 pennies and a printed message. The message says, “My husband, Joseph was always finding pennies. In 2012 he passed away, and since that time, I have found pennies in various places and I know he is watching over me. I have enclosed 49 pennies for those who have passed away from this senseless tragedy…they are now in Heaven with Joseph and he will be another angel embracing them.”
Boxing gloves Description: Boxing gloves with, “To All Victims & Families / Orlando Cruz / To all victims & families / Your champion, Orlando Cruz” handwritten in silver marker. Historical Notes: Gay Puerto Rican boxer, Orlando “El Fenómeno” Cruz, left these gloves at the Pulse Nightclub memorial on July 12th, 2016. He also visited the 49 wooden Orlando Regional Medical Center crosses at the History Center that day. Cruz dedicated his July 15th, 2016 championship match in Kissimmee to the victims. After the boxers entered the ring, there was a moment of silence and the bell rang 49 times in honor of each victim, 23 of whom were Puerto Rican. Cruz won the match.
American Flag Description: Small American flag on a wooden stick with a message written on the white stripes in black that says, “I’M SORRY THAT WE CONTINUALLY VOTE FOR PEOPLE WHO WON’T PROTECT YOU. I’M SORRY THAT WE ONLY PAY LIP SERVICE TO YOUR STRUGGLE. I’M SORRY THAT IT TOOK YOUR LIFE TO CONVINCE ME TO FIX IT.”
Quilt Description: Quilt with photos of the 49 victims of the Pulse Nightclub shooting on a rainbow border. The quilt is covered with handwritten messages and signatures. Historical Notes: Roberta Blick, a 90-year-old congregant from Windermere Union Church, created this quilt featuring the photos of those who died at Pulse. Nancy Rosado of Proyecto Somos Orlando, a new service organization supporting those affected, traveled with the quilt. She gathered signatures, including those of President Barack Obama, Jennifer Lopez, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Hillary Clinton. This quilt was her last creation before she passed away on December 20, 2017.
Picture Description: Printed photograph of Juan Guerrero (pictured left) and Christopher Leinonen (pictured right) on paper. “We had the choice to keep you – or to keep our assault rifles. / I’m sorry that you lost / RIP Guys,” is typed in red ink.
Poster Description: Silver poster with scalloped edges and a handwritten message in marker that says, “On June 12th, Our pulse was stopped 49 times. We will not forget…. / HLM.”
Handwritten note Description: Card with a handwritten message inside that says, “I promise to love 49 times stronger. I promise to spread joy 49 times stronger. I promise to hug my friends 49 times stronger. I promise to live 49 times stronger. And I do it, because 49 of you were robbed of the opportunity to do it yourselves way before it was your time. Love, Sertling PDX, OR / Love + Prayers From Portland, OR (heart) Rachel.”
Handwritten Letter Description: Handwritten letter on what appears to be homemade paper that says, “I wish I knew the perfect words to fully express my pain, horror and devastation I feel at what has happened in our city. But I don’t, instead I’ll say this- to the victims – I’m so eternally sorry that your life came to an end while you were brave enough to be you. Your legacy will remain and we will remember. To the family members who have lost a light in their life, I weep for you, I pray for you and I share your anger. Know that this community is here for you and we will stay strong together. To my community, my city, my home – we will not be defined by this act of hate. Instead we will be defined by the love we pour out now.” Written on the reverse side, “Love is Love is Love is Love/ #orlandostrong.”
Handwritten note on photo Description: Photo of Luis Sergio Vielma and Lexi Schulz kissing with stickers on the picture that say, “LUIS / LEXI.” There is a handwritten message on the back that says, “Thank you for everything Luis; loving, caring, making me laugh & smile and always being there and having my back. I miss you so much, I can’t wait to see your smile & silly dance moves again. Hope you and the other 48 R.I.P. Love you nugget, your Ladybug.”
Microphone Description: Microphone with a handwritten message in silver marker that says, “Shane, I WILL MISS YOU FOREVER. Shane, I will miss your smile, laughter & your beautiful soul! Love you Forever. RIP SHANE. I (heart) u !!!” There is a white heart drawn on the windscreen of the microphone.
Handwritten letter Description: Handwritten note on lined paper. The front side says, “To the LGBTQ community’s 49 new guardian angels,” then there are three sets of partial poems with large “X”‘s crossing them out. The reverse side has three more sets of the beginnings of poems that are crossed out. Then, “I tried to write the poem you deserved. But no poem can equate to 49 lifetimes. All I can say is, I love you. And I will live now unashamed of who I am.”
Doll Description: Doll made from feathers and small corn cobs painted with a rainbow pattern. The doll is wearing a suede dress painted with multicolored messages that say, “#orlandostrong / (heart),” “RESPECT,” “PEACE,” “Unity,” “HOPE,” and “LOVE (heart for o).” The face of the doll has rainbows painted on the cheeks.
Handwritten notes on poster Description: Small heart-shaped poster with two photos and written messages, found with Luis Omar Ocasio Capo’s memorial cross (2016.036.1649). One message says, “BABY CAKES. I WILL ALWAYS CHERISH OUR MEMORIES CLOSE TO MY HEART. I LOVE AND MISS YOU. YOU’LL ALWAYS BE MY BAD BISH / DEVONTE / -ASHLEY (FABIOLA).” The second message says, “Omar mi amor! Please twerk for us in heaven! Baby we will meet again Kylie will never forget you! Te Amo- Kylie (china) / #Love is Love. Love you zaddy.”
Tabletop Globe Description: Small globe on a stand with “ORLANDO UNITED” in white stickers. There is a red heart sticker by Florida. Historical Notes: The globe was left by Marc & David Alexander. Instead of purchasing flowers or something similar, the two repurposed the globe into a memorial item from one of the centerpieces from their wedding, held in Orlando in 2015, by adding the “Orlando United” and heart sticker. To Marc and David, the globe symbolized many things, not just Orlando or their own personal union, but a symbol of love forever spinning in the victims’ memories.
Rubber duck Description: Rainbow striped rubber duck with, “From London with love” handwritten in black marker and the Hogan Lovells law firm logo printed on the chest.
Puerto Rican Flag Description: Puerto Rican flag covered with written messages in black marker.
Stuffed Animal Description: Mickey Mouse stuffed toy, found with Kimberly Jean Morris’ memorial cross. There are messages handwritten in marker that say, “KJ / Forever Loved / Your Uncle & Aunt / (heart) / RIP / Bryant / Yvette.”
Bow Tie Description: Hot pink bow tie, found with Rodolfo Ayala Ayala’s memorial cross, with “RODOLFO ‘RODY’ AYALA (heart),” handwritten in black marker. A red button with, “I AM LOVED” printed in white is attached to the bow tie.
Angel Wings Description: Metal wings with a rainbow striped clay heart pin. “Jason Josaphat,” is handwritten on the heart that was found with Jason Benjamin Josaphat’s memorial cross. A thin, yellow ribbon is attached to both wings.
Jar of sprinkles Description: Jar of rainbow baking sprinkles. A written note attached with tape says, “TO 49 Beautiful Souls I NEVER KNEW / LOVE PEACE AND GOOD-BYE.”
Paint Palette Description: Paint palette with one white cross painted in the center surrounded by 49 black crosses. “Eternal Memory / Love, Victor” is written on the back. Historical Notes: Victor Bokas, a Florida native, is a graphic designer who works out of Orlando. After the Pulse Nightclub shooting, he painted his palette in memory of the 49 victims. In a statement regarding his work, Bokas said, “‘ETERNAL MEMORY’ – that each beautiful individual taken on June 12, 2016 will always be remembered in our prayers. I painted 49 crosses on my palette representing each life lost.”
Mexican Flag Description: Mexican flag on a thick wooden stick with various messages handwritten in marker that say, “R.I.P. bun Amigo Miguel Honorato Dios te Vendrga donde estes Alexis Condero Juarez ViVA MEXICO / R.I.P. Miguel Honorato To Amigo Chriss el Maniatico.”
Book Description: Paperback book with written message inside the front cover that says, “In solidarity / Wherever you are we mourn you and will sow love in this hurting earth in your memory / Julia Alvarez / June 24, 2016.” Historical Notes: The book “Where Do They Go?,” is a children’s book of poetry intended to help children come to grips with death. Written by Dominican-American author Julia Alvarez, this appears to have been signed and left by the author.
Picture with handwritten note Description: Polaroid photo of memorial items left at Pulse Nightclub. “Hate divides, but Love Multiplies,” is handwritten at the bottom in pen.
Printed Note Description: Small piece of paper with a printed note that says, “THIS PENNY JAR IS HOLIDNG 49 SHINNY [sic] PENNIES ONE FOR EACH NEW ANGEL. THERE IS A PENNY FOR EACH LOST LOVE ONE WITH THEIR BIRTH YEAR ON IT.”
Printed Mickey Mouse Image Description: A printed image of a sad Mickey Mouse with a printed message that says, “A 1 mes de tu partida / Orlando, Florida todavia siente tu despedida… 7-12-2016 / Vuela alto…Vuela.”
Bag of shells Description: Bag of shells with some of the victims’ names handwritten on them. Historical Notes: Over the course of four days, about 400 volunteers, including the governor of Hawaii, braided a lei out of Ti leaves to be delivered to Orlando. Each string has 49 strands, as well as 49 shells with the victims names. The volunteers put their mana’o, or thoughts, into each strand with the hopes that, in the words of Kumu Leuha Kekahuna to the Orlando Sentinel, “the people of Orlando touch the lei and get the power that the people of Hawaii put in it.” In order to transport the giant lei over 4,600 miles from Maui it had to be separated into three separate pieces. Instead of braiding the pieces back together, volunteers decided to leave one piece at each memorial. The Pulse and Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts lei could not be preserved; however, History Center staff is currently working to attempt to preserve the lei from Orlando Regional Medical Center.
Handwritten note Description: Handwritten message on a small piece of cardboard that says, “(box) X THOUGHTS / (box) X PRAYERS / (box) ACTION / —> / YOU WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN, WE WILL FIGHT FOR YOU, WE WILL REMEMBER YOU.”
American flag Description: Folded American flag found with a handwritten note that says, “May God grant rest to all from pain. / “When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace.” / -Jimi Hendrix.”
Glass candle holder Description: Square, yellow glass candle holder found with a dried sage bundle wrapped with string and a handwritten note.
Handwritten note Description: Handwritten message on top of rainbow stripes colored in crayon that says, “I may not live to see our glory but I will gladly join the fight. And when our children tell our story they’ll tell the story of… that night. Tomorrow they’ll [sic] be more of us…”
Medal Description: Gold medal on a green and blue ribbon with “Unity ’94 / GAY GAMES IV NEW YORK CITY / JUNE 1994 / TO DO ONES BEST IS THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF HUMAN ACHIEVEMENT,” engraved in the medal. Historical Notes: Originally founded as the “Gay Olympics,” The Gay Games is the largest sporting event specifically for LGBT athletes. The purpose of The Federation of Gay Games, Inc. is to foster the self-respect of LGBT+ individuals and promote respect and understanding from others. The 1994 Gay Games, held in New York City, had over 15,000 participants in sporting events and cultural ceremonies and coincided with the 25th anniversary of the Stonewall riots.
Wooden Sunflower Description: A sunflower made out of a ruler painted green for the stem, popsicle sticks painted orange for the petals and a round piece of particle board covered in burlap fabric in the middle for the center of the flower. An image of Alejandro Barrios Martinez, 21 is attached to the circular center of the flower. There are red, white and blue ribbons tied and glued to the ruler. A sunflower for each victim was made and left at the Pulse Nightclub Memorial.
Plastic canister Description: Small clear, plastic canister with sand, glitter, dried flowers and small rocks inside. A label attached to the outside of the canister has a handwritten message that says, “4th wave Faerie Dust / Abbey of the Long Cedar Canoe / Vancouver Sister of Perpetual Indulgence.” Historical Notes: The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence are a worldwide order of 21st century queer nuns who welcome a broad spectrum of genders, sexual orientations and religious traditions.
Origami mobile Description: Mobile made with origami paper cranes, each crane has a victims’ name written on it. “WE ARE ORLANDO” and “(heart) Pivotal Labs / Washington D.C.” are handwritten on two tags attached to the top of the mobile.
Canvas painting Description: Canvas with a gun shooting flowers from its barrel with an EKG line running across the center and “BB / ENOUGH,” painted on the front. “Rest on Angels / We Love you and never will forget!!! / Brooke Bell / 6/30/16 / Nashville, TN,” is handwritten on the back.
Picture with note Description: Photograph of Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon with his cousin, Siclaly M. Santiago-Leon, and one other person. A handwritten message to the left of the photograph says, “You’ll never leave us. Siempre mi Corazone / (heart) Thron.”
Canister Description: Small canister with what appears to be ash inside. A message handwritten on the outside in marker says, “Terry Michael Puryear (Ally).”
Book Description: Red and white autograph book with Minnie Mouse on the front and back cover. The book has 24 pages, all with handwritten messages.
Card Description: Message handwritten on a sympathy florist card that says, “Drew, Your happy face and energetic smile will always be a memory of mine. Rest now my friend as you share the heavens in peace. From your New Year’s Eve 2013 kiss. / Eric Peralta.”
Drawing Description: Drawing in pencil of what looks like the Lake Eola fountain with all the victims names handwritten at the bottom and “Orlando Strong,” handwritten at the top. On the back, “Pulse / To all of those involved, and all the families. No more suffering we’re to [sic] strong. / Bryan Newland / 2016 / 4 hours colored pencil,” is handwritten on the back in pencil.
Poster Description: Cardboard poster with printed artistic renditions of all 49 victims who lost their lives in the Pulse Nightclub massacre. The poster was found with light blue rosary beads.
Phone charger with handwritten note Description: USB car charger, found with Eddie Jamoldroy Justice’s memorial cross (2016.036.0532), with message handwritten in marker that says, “to call home (heart) Kelly.”
Button Description: Heart-shaped button with a printed image of Christopher Joseph Sanfeliz and a printed message that says, “Live. Love. Dance. Christopher J. Sanfeliz 11/17/1991-06/12/2016.”
Drawing Description: Drawing of a rainbow heart with an EKG line running through it and, “49” written in the middle. “forever in our hearts,” is written in cursive in black marker.
Angel Wings Description: White nylon and silver glitter angel wings with handwritten messages in marker that say, “6 12 2016 / #Pray #PULSE 49 Survivors / NOT (heart) HATE / We NEVER Forget / WORLD / My Dear Daugther 25 / AMANDA ALVEAR / OUR DEAR 26 / MERCEDEZ M. FLORES / Change / OUR ANGELS.”
Leather bracelet Description: Leather bracelet with “ORLANDO LOVE,” handwritten on the front in black marker. “FB TONY KAKALELES IG @SAVAGE.VEEDUB,” is handwritten on the back of the bracelet.
Sign Description: Sign covered in 54 rainbow painted, heart-shaped wooden cut outs. 49 of the hearts have a victim’s name written on them and the other 5 have messages that say, “Orlando Strong,” “One Heart,” “One Pulse,” “One Love,” and “We Are Orlando.” “Made with love by the Abercrombie Family of Orlando / Shaun / The Adrienne’s / Jonell,” is handwritten on the back.
Flag Description: Rainbow flag with a painted message that says, “#ORLANDO STRONG / MY (heart) / MY HOME.” The flag is also covered in handwritten signatures and messages.

Additional Slideshows