ORANGE — The Orange Historical Society aims to recruit new members as one way of offsetting the rising costs of insurance and other expenses.
Twenty members gathered earlier this month for the society’s annual spring meeting, held at Witty’s Funeral Home, where they heard reports from their peers about the present-day challenges of preserving local history and the 1860s mansion housing the society’s artifacts at 41 North Main St.
Treasurer Jeff Cole, who owns the funeral home, reported the cost to insure the three-story museum is now about $7,000 a year.
Also, the society’s lucrative “Breakfast on The Porch” fundraisers have not been held since before the COVID-19 pandemic. Cole explained the main volunteers have died or moved away, and some others are still weary about holding such an event.
“That really cuts into the finances,” he said.
Cole said the breakfast fundraisers would generate $600 every three months, adding up to $2,400 a year.
Historical Society membership fees are $5 per year, $50 for a single lifetime membership and $75 for a lifetime membership for a couple. Cash and check donations can be sent to the Orange Historical Society, P.O. Box 28, Orange, MA 01364-0028.
Historian Linda Temple died on Feb. 3 at age 78, and her obituary referred to the Historical Society as her lifelong passion, to which donations could directed in lieu of flowers.
Despite the trying fiscal times, Cole said society members were very spirited at the spring meeting.
“Everybody’s still very interested in it,” he said.
Also, the assembly approved a proposal to host a special evening of storytelling, specifically the sharing of “intriguing true yarns” of Orange. Board member Ann Reed, who is charged with organizing the event, had introduced the idea in the interest of corralling tales to preserve them while the tellers are still alive to pass them down. The event, although free, would also aim to open another door to new memberships and any free-will donations.
The museum at 41 North Main St. will open for the 2023 season from 2 to 4 p.m. on June 4, and on subsequent Sunday afternoons through September, as well as by appointment. For information on membership and more, interested people can visit orangehistoricalsocietyma.org or contact Kathryn or Frank Schiappa at 978-544-6814.
Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-930-4120.