The Orange Historical Society will plan its events for the upcoming year at its annual meeting Tuesday, April 23.
New and prospective members are invited to attend the meeting, which is 7 p.m. at the French-Weymouth House, 41 North Main St.
The Historical Society will review prospective projects for this year’s maintenance and will finalize plans for the fundraiser breakfasts on the Porch, which will begin June 8 and continue the second Saturdays through September.
The group will review other fundraisers needed to continue improvements on the heating system in the Historical Society’s building, which was built in the late 1800s.
Maureen Riendeau will read an interesting obituary referencing some early efforts to beautify Orange and create a river park; historical photos will be displayed.
The Orange Historical Society houses an extensive collection of Orange memorabilia from the Civil War era to the present. The collection also includes two Grout automobiles which were manufactured in Orange in 1901 and 1904.
The collection is managed by volunteers who are always looking for help. Much of the collection needs to be re-labeled, and all of the 20 rooms and barn areas could benefit from cleaning and reorganizing.
Membership dues help supplement the annual fundraisers to manage the thousands of dollars needed to heat and insure the building and collections. A raffle for fuel oil and wood pellets is another annual fundraiser, and the group sets up a display and provides meals and pies for sale at the Steam and Gas Engine Show at the airport each summer.
Check out the website at www.orangehistoricalsocietyma.org, or call Kathy Schiappa for information.