Orford Historical Society Newsletter

June 2024

The Orford Historical Society is only about 30 years old, a relative “youth” considering that the Town is more than 250 years old, with the earliest permanent European-descent settlers arriving here in about 1765. The “mission” of OHS is to preserve that long history and to tell that story to current Town residents with artifacts, stories, and traditions.

We held our Annual Meeting in April, back on schedule, as prescribed by the OHS Bylaws, after having the timing of last year’s meeting (2023) knocked around a bit by the pandemic. We gathered at the Orford Church on the Main Street to conduct organization business and hear a presentation by local environmental biologist Adair Mulligan.

The “business” part of the meeting consisted of an introduction of the current Board of Directors, and a review of the 2023 year, including the year-long focus on the old and important community of Dame Hill. Board Treasurer, Vanessa DeSimone reported that our annual fund-raising appeal was a bit tardy in getting out to the Town residents but that it was in people’s mail and that our financials were adequate to our needs. We are entirely supported by donations, and thoughtful frugality is required. And, it does mean that we must come to the community once a year, hat in hand, to ask for support in the form of memberships and donations.

Board nominations were made and approved. The current (2024) Board consists of Richard Donham (President), Paula Graves (Vice-President), Vanessa DeSimone (Treasurer), Chris Bunten (Secretary), Bethany Miller, Ann Green, Priscilla Harrington, Willow Wilson, Shawn Washburn, David Smith, and Patricia Alonso Schaft and newest Board member, Tim Chase. Sam Hanford was recognized for his “Dedicated Service as a Member of the Board of Directors from April, 2011 to March, 2024”, and for “Service for Many Years as Board Secretary''. Kathy Baker was honored for her “Dedicated Service as a Member of the Board” and “Service as Chair of the Collections Committee for Many Years.” Board Member David Smith observed that Kathy had served “for so many years...we don’t even know how many!” To which Kathy replied, “Since Forever!”.

Ann Green made a strong appeal for people to consider volunteering…most of our volunteers are not Board members, but they are the “rock” of OHS. They work for the highest wages of all…..hugs and appreciation. For example, the “Dame Hill Project” of last year, which the Board considers a big success, was almost entirely manned by volunteers from the community, who invited visitors into their homes and told stories from “yesteryear.”

Adair Mulligan is the Conservation Director for the Connecticut River Joint Commissions for 20 years and is currently Executive Director of the Hanover Conservancy. Her interesting and entertaining presentation was titled, “New England’s Great River: The Connecticut”, during which she explored how the River has affected the history of the Valley and also how the people living here have affected the river itself.

The Board suggests a visit to our website (https://www.orfordhistory.org), titled, appropriately enough, Orford Historical Society. Featured there is the “Photo of the Week” series, which showcase images from the Society’s collection of people and places in the Town’s past. Also, there is a link to the New Hampshire Magazine’s article titled: “Idyllic Orford on the Connecticut: A Textbook Example of a New England Small Town.” The researcher in us led us to identify two mistakes in that article….go to the link on our website to find out what they were!

Our Facebook page is also a good source of information about the Town’s past and present. Our web presence is maintained by Board member Patricia Schaft, and is regularly updated.

You probably received our annual appeal in the mail last month. If you haven’t responded, we hope you will consider joining or rejoining, the membership is $25/year. Additional donations are gratefully received too if you wish to add a bit more. But really, the most important contribution you can make is of your most valuable asset ... .your time, your energy and your ideas. Volunteers are the most important “capital” that we have. Please come out to Orfordville, and visit us at the Town Hall Heritage Center starting in late June…We are open Saturday mornings (10 AM to 1 PM) and Wednesday evenings (3-6 PM), and have on display a number of items from our Collection…all from “back in the day.”

Board of Directors,

Orford Historical Society