Last update: 3/9/2014 2:57 p.m.
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The President's Corner
A most spectacular day was shared by the staff of the Orange Historical Society on September 29th when they greeted over a hundred and twenty five guests at the opening of the 1740 Bryan-Andrew house. After 13 years of restoration, the oldest house in the Town of Orange made its debut, completely furnished and ready for company. Upon the request of the OHS, the town purchased the house in 2000 and then the fun began. Finding suitable restoration contractors and funding was all part of the effort to bring this historic treasure to the citizens of Orange. Historic Preservation of Weston brought the house back to its original condition using funds from the State of CT for historic preservation. We made a recent purchase of a set of buttery shelves (pantry) that came from a 1760 homestead in Massachusetts, installed by Edd Oberg, a historical contractor from Ashford, CT. The buttery room did not have period flooring so an additional purchase was made, installing flooring from the period. The fireplaces in all three rooms have been certified and gave a sense of a 1740 family atmosphere. Staff members, Frances Vadney and Jan Clarke, gave a demonstration of hearth cooking with an OHS signature recipe of potato lovage soup which the visitors were clamoring to try. With additional funding, plaster walls and the original floors will complete the restoration. 
The house is open by appointment and the staff hopes that visitors will plan to come with family and friends, bringing food and beverages to celebrate an occasion that will be enhanced by the wonderful colonial atmosphere of the Nathan Bryan - William Andrew House. Call 203-795-3106 to reserve your spot. More photos below!
Ginny Reinhard, President ******************** Emily Prudden and Pfeiffer University
Among the greatest legacies of Emily Prudden, Orange educator and artist, was the founding of the institution we know today as Pfeiffer Univ- ersity in Misenheimer, NC. A series of 23 of her water colors are on display at The Academy and the remainder of her work is in a sketchbook now owned by the university where her statue greets students and visitors alike. There is a guide to the Pfeiffer-Merner Family Collection in the university archives [click here] and a newly produced PowerPoint presentation on university history that includes Emily's contributions. We hope to provide access soon. Be sure to check back!
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Calendar of Events
April 5, 2014 ******* Taste of the Past - Luncheon SOLD OUT - Watch for this event next year at this same time and send your reservation in early. It was a successful event. Thank you to all that attended. Meet Harriet Beecher Stowe and her story of how she wrote Uncle Tom's Cabin. Come for lunch and have a "Taste of the Past" with hearty homemade soups, breads and desserts. Be sure to mark your calendars for April 5, 2014, from 1:00-3:30, Orange Congregational Church Community Room, Orange Center Road. Reservations in advance $20.00, $25.00 at the door. Make your check payable to the Orange Historical Society and send it to PO Box 784, Orange, CT 06477. For information call 203 795-4549. ******* The Nathan Bryan-William Andrew House is now open to the public by appointment. If you would like to plan an evening with family and friends at the oldest house in Orange, plan to bring food of your choice and spend a few hours in the atmosphere of 1740. Docents will be on hand for tours and the fireplaces lit for your comfort and enjoyment. For information call 203 795-3106. ******* The Academy Museum Antique Shop, 605 Orange Center Road, is open every Saturday from 10:00 to 3:00. Come visit the 1878 Academy with historic displays of Orange's past while shopping for the holidays and those special folks on your gift list. Available for the first time in many years: The Scenes of Orange Crocks. Originally sold by the Orange Community women and now on sale at the Academy. Only 5 remain. For information, call: 203 795-3106 or email orangehistorical@yahoo.com *************** 
Helping Hands is looking for gently used items: furniture, kitchenware, linens, electronics, books, appliances etc. OHS will receive 13% of every sale.
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OHS T-shirts
are selling like hotcakes. Limited stock! |
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See the
Join, Visit, Shop page. Get yours today! |
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New OHS logo!
In May of 1822, a petition was presented to the General Assembly by members of both North Milford and West Haven communities to be incorporated as a separate town. Upon the resolve, a new town was established with boundaries set out to encompass the two communities.
A committee was chosen to select a name for the town and with some differences of opinion, the group chose Orange. Although no longer tied to British rule, with the support given to the Connecticut colony in 1687 by the English monarch, William of Orange, it was agreed to name the new town in his honor. His coat of arms became official in 1972, when the First Federal Savings Bank of New Haven presented First Selectman Ralph Capecelatro with the official Town flag, designed by Orange residents Robert Hiza and Curt Thompson.
The Orange Historical Society has used the center portion of the coat of arms as their logo that was depicted on the original official Town flag but has since changed to the original English version which includes the lion and the unicorn with other symbols of English royalty as seen in the coat of arms throughout history. The logo graces the bottom of each page of this website, as well as being used in our newsletter and on the new T-shirts.
A committee was chosen to select a name for the town and with some differences of opinion, the group chose Orange. Although no longer tied to British rule, with the support given to the Connecticut colony in 1687 by the English monarch, William of Orange, it was agreed to name the new town in his honor. His coat of arms became official in 1972, when the First Federal Savings Bank of New Haven presented First Selectman Ralph Capecelatro with the official Town flag, designed by Orange residents Robert Hiza and Curt Thompson.
The Orange Historical Society has used the center portion of the coat of arms as their logo that was depicted on the original official Town flag but has since changed to the original English version which includes the lion and the unicorn with other symbols of English royalty as seen in the coat of arms throughout history. The logo graces the bottom of each page of this website, as well as being used in our newsletter and on the new T-shirts.
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The Society
Founded in 1964, the Orange Historical Society strives to collect and preserve those items of history that pertain to the settlement of Orange as well as the surrounding area.
In addition to protecting the history and the future of the Town of Orange, the Society maintains the Stone-Otis House, a restored 1830's homestead, The Academy, which was built in 1878 and now serves as a museum housing the Mary Rebecca Woodruff Research Center, and the Bryan-Andrew House, a 1740 residence built by one of the earliest Orange families in the area then known as Bryan's Farms.
Both the Stone-Otis House and The Academy are open for tours from April to October on Sundays from 1-4 P.M or by special arrangement. The Bryan-Andrew House will be opening to the public in the near future.
The Society is always seeking to increase membership and financial support for its preservation efforts. See the Join/Visit/Shop page.
For information call (203) 795-3106 or (203) 795-6465. Email to orangehistorical@yahoo.com with questions or comments about our site. Address U.S. mail to Orange Historical Society, P. O. Box 784, Orange, CT 06477.
In addition to protecting the history and the future of the Town of Orange, the Society maintains the Stone-Otis House, a restored 1830's homestead, The Academy, which was built in 1878 and now serves as a museum housing the Mary Rebecca Woodruff Research Center, and the Bryan-Andrew House, a 1740 residence built by one of the earliest Orange families in the area then known as Bryan's Farms.
Both the Stone-Otis House and The Academy are open for tours from April to October on Sundays from 1-4 P.M or by special arrangement. The Bryan-Andrew House will be opening to the public in the near future.
The Society is always seeking to increase membership and financial support for its preservation efforts. See the Join/Visit/Shop page.
For information call (203) 795-3106 or (203) 795-6465. Email to orangehistorical@yahoo.com with questions or comments about our site. Address U.S. mail to Orange Historical Society, P. O. Box 784, Orange, CT 06477.
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OHS Officers and Directors
Ginny Reinhard, President
Jill Westgard, Recording Secretary Danielle Izzo, Corresponding Secretary Marlene Silverstein, Treasurer |
Carla Birmingham, Director
Julie Davis, Director Phyllis Gwatkin, Director Susan Noonan, Director Nina Ruckes, Director Kate Taylor, Director Kathy Steinberg, Director |
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Webmaster: Bob Belletzkie
Volunteer Staff Members: Frances Vadney, Jan Clarke, Jane Opper, Rich Breitenbach
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Webmaster: Bob Belletzkie
Volunteer Staff Members: Frances Vadney, Jan Clarke, Jane Opper, Rich Breitenbach
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Visitors since 12/25/2012
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