News Archive & Calendar of Past OHS events!
Meet & Greet with The Chamber of Commerce at the Bryan-Andrew House
The Orange Chamber of Commerce met at the Bryan-Andrew House recently with good friends, good food and chilled white wine. The Chamber meets every month for an "After Hours" Event, where members meet and greet to network at the end of a busy day. The Bryan-Andrew House staff, Kathy Steinberg, Jan Clarke, Nina Ruckes, Frances Vadney and Ginny Reinhard all led tours through the rooms of this magnificent example of an early 18th century home and members were enthusiastic to be in such a wonderfully old homestead. Full menu dinners can be held with food and beverages brought into the home. Fires will be lit in the three fireplaces and period dressed docents will be on hand for tours to give the party a genuine colonial feeling. Rental fee is $200.00 for an evening. For information, call 203-795-3106.
Does this look like fun?You bet it was. Jan Clarke holds the ladder for Elaine Ihlenfeld as she
reaches into the vine for the third picking of this fine Concord grape. Where's Ginny Reinhard? She was picking more grapes that grew under the canopy that this historical vine created during the hot, dry summer. Making jelly became a fun project as the beautiful , dark concord grapes were turned into jars of deliciousness. Already many have been sold at the Country Fair and are available at the Academy Museum , 605 Orange Center Road. The Antique Shop is open every Saturday from 10:00-3:00 so get out the peanut butter and come on down. |
Dennis Stone's 158 Year Old Grape VineThe OHS staff recently harvested grapes from the 158 year old grape vine planted by Dennis Stone at his home on Main Street (Orange Center Road) across from the Congregational Church. The vine was not tended this summer, growing wildly here and there but in its finest year in our memory. It yielded over 30 pounds of the most wonderful tasting grapes.
One Hundred & thirty-seven jars were processed for jelly. At one point, when Mr. Stone lived in Twelve Mile Creek, Kansas, he asked his nephews Clark and Fred Stone to send him some shoots from his grapevine. He would be so proud of its success here in Orange. I bet he made wine with his share and Mrs. Stone jelly..what do you think? |
American Girl Doll Summer Camp Event
Recently a summer camp for the American Girl Doll was held at the Stone-Otis House with 13 girls all carrying backpacks full of dolls; and their
clothes. The Guilford Keeping Society's Pat Lovelace shared the life history of the dolls in the collection, reading about the individual times and places each doll represents.
In addition, the children were treated to three days of historical crafts, paper dolls, sharing and snacks associated with each doll's life in history. The culminating activity was the presentation of a table full of dolls' clothes and the girls were invited to "borrow" them to dress their dolls in something "new". They were then invited to a "fashion" show with their doll and their newly acquired outfit. A fall tea is planned for the girls to experience life in the Victorian manner, complete with china cups and cucumber sandwiches.
Lea Turner, Jan Clarke and Ginny Reinhard helped Miss Lovelace and everyone a wonderful time. Some of them have arranged to meet at each others' homes to share their collections. It is after all a collectible doll and one to be enjoyed in the future.
clothes. The Guilford Keeping Society's Pat Lovelace shared the life history of the dolls in the collection, reading about the individual times and places each doll represents.
In addition, the children were treated to three days of historical crafts, paper dolls, sharing and snacks associated with each doll's life in history. The culminating activity was the presentation of a table full of dolls' clothes and the girls were invited to "borrow" them to dress their dolls in something "new". They were then invited to a "fashion" show with their doll and their newly acquired outfit. A fall tea is planned for the girls to experience life in the Victorian manner, complete with china cups and cucumber sandwiches.
Lea Turner, Jan Clarke and Ginny Reinhard helped Miss Lovelace and everyone a wonderful time. Some of them have arranged to meet at each others' homes to share their collections. It is after all a collectible doll and one to be enjoyed in the future.
Pot Luck With A Purpose!
The evening of April 21, at the Bryan-Andrew House, was buzzing with activity as Jan Clarke, seated (left) and Ginny Reinhard (right) in first photo, from OHS hosted the Milford Preservation Trust for an evening of celebration and camaraderie. The group assembled for a meeting focused on the preservation of endangered historic homes in Milford, their mission being to bring about local legislation for the saving of homes which are historically significant but have owners who are in need of selling them for economic and other reasons. These homes are often lost to commercial development, cluster housing, etc. Once down, they are gone forever. We encourage calls to your legislators!
The group brought a wonderful selection of foods to share in one of the area's oldest homes. The fact that Nathan Bryan was a descendent of Alexander Bryan, one of the original Milford settlers, made this an appropriate place for their visit. The 1740 Bryan-Andrew House is a case study in the retention of historic properties through historical societies assisted by state and local efforts and grant funding. You, your family, friends and business associates can plan a dinner at the house by contacting Ginny at 203 795-3106 for details. You provide the food and beverages and period dressed docents will give you a tour. We guarantee you will enjoy dining in this very fine, old home.
The group brought a wonderful selection of foods to share in one of the area's oldest homes. The fact that Nathan Bryan was a descendent of Alexander Bryan, one of the original Milford settlers, made this an appropriate place for their visit. The 1740 Bryan-Andrew House is a case study in the retention of historic properties through historical societies assisted by state and local efforts and grant funding. You, your family, friends and business associates can plan a dinner at the house by contacting Ginny at 203 795-3106 for details. You provide the food and beverages and period dressed docents will give you a tour. We guarantee you will enjoy dining in this very fine, old home.
Bryan-Andrews Open House - September 29, 2013
A most spectacular day was shared by the staff of the Orange Historical Society on September 29th, 2013 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.
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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.
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Historic Railroad Tunnel Rescue Begins, July 19, 2013
The detailed story of this historic rescue effort can be found on page 24 of the 8/2/2013 Orange Town News [click here]. For more on the history of the NH&D in Orange, visit TylerCityStation at www.tylercitystation.info [click here] and go to Track 4B.
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Left: Peering into the 'eerie glow as workmen shore up the tunnel;
Center: Bracing the damaged south wall;
Right: The 130-year-old beautifully intact masonry of the barrel-vaulted tunnel ceiling.
Center: Bracing the damaged south wall;
Right: The 130-year-old beautifully intact masonry of the barrel-vaulted tunnel ceiling.
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Left: Sinkhole created by stormwater runoff. Metal rods may have braced the timbers of the old trestle;
Center: Looking at the damaged exterior of the south wall;
Right: Cement being poured into the abyss to repair the damaged wall.
Center: Looking at the damaged exterior of the south wall;
Right: Cement being poured into the abyss to repair the damaged wall.
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Left: Rendition of pre-1883 crossing of Derby-Milford Rd., with Davis Brook running through trestle timbers.
Center: Newer bridge photo by the Public Utilities Commission on 10/14/1929;
Right: North abutment remains after this part of the NH&D taken out in May, 1941; south abutment was demolished.
Center: Newer bridge photo by the Public Utilities Commission on 10/14/1929;
Right: North abutment remains after this part of the NH&D taken out in May, 1941; south abutment was demolished.
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June 2, 2013
June 2, 2013
Emily Prudden Reception
Emily Prudden, a native of Orange, is proudly remembered as a teacher and humanitarian who established 15 schools in North Carolina, giving of herself and her finances to build and furnish them for young people who would otherwise not have had a formal education. Of the 15, seven of them were for black children. It was with great pleasure that the society held a reception on June 2 to highlight another part of Emily's life, her watercolors. The initial collection was donated by the family of Audrey Burke through her daughter Susan Chernock [pictured right]. With an additional donation of six original watercolors from the estate of Charlotte R. Clark, twenty-six of Emily's sketchbook drawings are currently on display at The Academy.
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Emily Prudden Visits Turkey Hill School, March-May, 2013
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Left: Turkey Hill School students busy with an art project inspired by Emily Prudden and the OHS visit.
Middle: The finished work on display and a big 'Thank You' for the program which was a hit for all involved!
Right: The OHS goodwives pose for the camera
Middle: The finished work on display and a big 'Thank You' for the program which was a hit for all involved!
Right: The OHS goodwives pose for the camera
As in the previous two years, 2nd grade teacher, Kitty LaFrance was awarded a grant from the Jamie Hulley Arts Foundation to present the history of Orange to three classes at T.H.S. OHS Goodwives Nina Ruckes, Ginny Reinhard and Jan Clarke presented programs to introduce the children to the life of early Orange with artifacts common to family life at that time. Each child was given a badge with the name and description of early members of the community and many responded to the name when called upon. They made their own hand-dipped candles and were introduced to Emily Prudden teacher and water colorist whose artwork is on display at The Academy. Goodwife Reinhard introduced the children to Emily and her original work and Mrs. LaFrance followed with a mini-lesson on form, style and shape. The children were each given a single floral stem, watercolor pencils and a paintbrush. Emily would have been pleased with their work.
The last presentation was a reception in Emily's honor with an invitation for the parents to join in the festivities. As their last history lesson, the children were gathered around Goodwife Reinhard as she showed them pictures of houses in the Historic District as well as pictures of some of the 19th century citizens of Orange. They enjoyed seeing some of the people they portrayed during the previous presentations. The children were encouraged to look for the houses and landmarks while driving through town this summer. Adams Hometown Market through Bozzuto Foods generously donated the lemonade and Hermits, an old New England cookie, to celebrate the day.
Emily was born in Orange but spent the greater part of her life in North Carolina, establishing schools for poor communities whose children were denied an education. One of the schools that evolved to the 21st century is Pfeiffer University in Misenheimer, NC. The school honors Emily with a statue in front of the Administration Building and they have her original sketchbook given them by her nephew.
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The last presentation was a reception in Emily's honor with an invitation for the parents to join in the festivities. As their last history lesson, the children were gathered around Goodwife Reinhard as she showed them pictures of houses in the Historic District as well as pictures of some of the 19th century citizens of Orange. They enjoyed seeing some of the people they portrayed during the previous presentations. The children were encouraged to look for the houses and landmarks while driving through town this summer. Adams Hometown Market through Bozzuto Foods generously donated the lemonade and Hermits, an old New England cookie, to celebrate the day.
Emily was born in Orange but spent the greater part of her life in North Carolina, establishing schools for poor communities whose children were denied an education. One of the schools that evolved to the 21st century is Pfeiffer University in Misenheimer, NC. The school honors Emily with a statue in front of the Administration Building and they have her original sketchbook given them by her nephew.
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March 3, 2013
NEW Orange Historical Society T-shirts are a HIT!
Amity Girl Scout Troop 60095 shows off the Orange Historical Society T-shirts they selected to wear for Girl Scout International Thinking Day, March 3, 2013. Troops from area towns celebrated Thinking Day by presenting food and dances from different countries. The troop chose to research Ireland and they learned that William III was at one time King of England, Ireland, and Scotland as well as a benefactor to the Connecticut Colony and the namesake of the town of Orange. They learned about the symbolism of the Coat of Arms, now on the OHS T-shirt.
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Chilly Chili Run, New Year's Day, 2013
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At left: The runners are off! At right, Jan Clarke, Bob Belletzkie, Marlene Silverstein and Ginny Reinhard pose in the kitchen while making preparations for the big chili feed.
