ORANGE HISTORICAL SOCIETY Keeping the Town’s History Alive

WRITTEN BY: GINNY REINHARD

The Orange Historical Society’s mission in part is to maintain the history of the Town of Orange and strive to collect and preserve those items of history that pertain to the settlement of Orange as well as the surrounding area.

The Orange Historical Society (OHS) maintains three properties in Orange: the Bryan-Andrew House, Stone-Otis House, and the Academy Building.

OHS started off with a bang when 2020 rolled around having opened the Bryan-Andrew House to hearthcooked dinners, classes, and luncheons. The keeping room has a 9-foot hearth where delicious meals were prepared and served to enthusiastic visitors. Using the hearth was only part of the event, as the OHS installed a state-of-theart kitchen approved by the Orange Health department. Society members took a course in food management to ensure the safety of food preparation and the serving of Colonial fare.

AN ACCOMPLISHED RESTORATION

The Bryan-Andrew house has been identified as the “jewel” in the crown and OHS members are very proud of what was accomplished. The town purchased the home in 2000 from Mrs. Emerson and the OHS has not tarried in bringing it back to the year 1740, when it was first built. Many documents and historical facts were used for this date and walking into the house is like walking into history itself. All aspects have been addressed and except for the kitchen and up-to-date utilities, the house is just as old as its date reflects.

Photo: Paula Severino

The hearth where meals were cooked in the keeping room of the Bryan-Andrew house.

Although 13 families lived there in its past, not enough was changed that couldn’t be reversed or restored.

FUNDS ARE NEEDED

One obstacle that faces all historical societies is funding—and from many sources, which is sought after by multiple organizations. OHS has been fortunate to receive an annual grant from the Fred DeLuca Foundation to continue restoration of the Bryan-Andrew House, allowing for completion of the garret, which is the 2nd story (the attic). Their generosity allowed for the restoration of the space, which was the sleeping area for the Bryan and Andrew children, housing a bed, complete with trundle, several blanket chests, and the necessary bed warmer.

In addition, the Connecticut Humanities and Spectrum Associates, Inc. awarded OHS a grant, which funded the replacement of the clapboards on the south side of the home, as the original ones began

Photo: Paula Severino

A view of the fully restored garret, the sleeping area for the Bryan and Andrew children in the Bryan-Andrew house.

to fail requiring a complete change. Another DeLuca Foundation grant provided funds to replace the west and north side clapboards.

With any old, historic home, a constant vigil is required and continuous fundraising effort on our part. Managing three buildings is a challenge for OHS, one that is taken very seriously.

VINTAGE ITEMS FOR SALE

For the past seven years, the OHS has managed an antique shop in the Academy Building, in addition to the many museum displays of Orange history. There are many vintage and historical items available for purchase, and proceeds support the restoration of the Bryan House. Visitors come from many surrounding towns, enjoying the shopping spree while learning all about the history of Orange. Public visits reopened on June 5th, with COVID-19 protocols in place, giving folks a safe environment to visit. People seem happy to be in our company, surrounded by all that is Orange and the Orange Historical Society.

The Stone-Otis House continues to be of interest to the public as well, but visits were cut short due to COVID-19, as the house is not big enough to allow for safe distancing even with masks. There have been many years of guests and events, with our Christmas Open House a highlight, and once again the doors will open to the brisk December air and eager visitors to enjoy a Victorian Christmas, if not this year, then the next.

A NEW SIGN AT STONE OTIS HOUSE

The sign in front of the Stone-Otis House, which at one time listed the Orange Historical Society, as well as identified the building behind it, was looking shabby due to time and weather. OHS undertook the cost of a new sign but with anything that classy was of concern, so we reached out to the Orange Foundation and voila, the Academy sign appeared, with thanks for their generosity.

BOY SCOUTS BUILD A STONE WALL

It seems that the Bryan-Andrew House is the center of attraction of the three properties, but it is the one, that after 20 years, needs completion. It is certainly open to the public with 99 percent of it complete. The most recent addition, outside of OHS efforts, is a beautiful stonewall encompassing an area behind the home. Two boy scouts undertook the effort at two different times with Miles O’Sullivan and his crew completing a portion on the north side and Jason Byun and his Dad building the section on the west. Both young men included crews of scouts to help with their Eagle Scout project.

Orange Historical Society members enjoy providing history to the town in as many ways possible. Members look forward to bringing back former events when the time allows. Come see us, but please call first!

For more information, contact Ginny Reinhard, President of the Orange Historical Society, at (203) 795-3106 or send an email to orangehistorical@ yahoo.com. View the Society’s website at www.orangehistory.org. 

Photo: Paula Severino