Orford Historical Society Newsletter
May 18,2023
The Board of Directors of the Orford Historical Society appreciates the opportunity to share with the Town our “news and activities” and plans for the future. For more than 250 years, the people of Orford have lived on this beautiful land, encompassing the watersheds of both the Connecticut and the Merrimac Rivers. It is the work of the Society to help townspeople remember and preserve that history.
One of our goals for the year of 2023 is to better communicate what the Society is about. We suggest checking out our presence on social media. The OHS Website (https://www.orfordhistory.org/) currently has posted under the banner “Photo of the Week” more than 250 photos from around the Town, dating back more than 100 years. How many of the places shown are recognizable today? Do you remember some of the people shown? How about the Wentworth/Mt. Cube single lane gravel road, now known as 25A? Did you know that Lake Morey used to be slanted and steamboats ran literally up and down the lake? (Just kidding, of course). Check it out, and the numerous other fascinating images on the Webpage. Our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/Orford.Historical.Society) is another way to keep up with OHS doings. Particulars about upcoming OHS events and reports on previous activities are posted in both of these places. Additional FB pages: Orford Then and Now (https://www.facebook.com/groups/502169584689094/), and You’re From Orford, NH If..... (https://www.facebook.com/groups/169809383211548/) which features photos and stories from more than 650 members with a connection, past or present, to the Town.
The 2023 Annual Meeting was held April 27th at the Congregational Church on Rte 10. The OHS bylaws stipulate that the annual meeting be held in April of the year, but the Covid pandemic resulted in cancellation of our meetings in 2020 and 2021. We were able to schedule one in September of 2022 and now have returned to the regular April meetings. This meeting was a great success with a good crowd. There was a short business meeting which introduced the Board and its Officers, and a financial report from the Treasurer, Mark Blanchard. The Board Officers for 2023 are Richard Donham, President, Paula Graves, Vice President, and Chuck Otto, Secretary. After years of service as Treasurer, Mark Blanchard is stepping down in June of this year. Mark has been a leader in OHS since the 1990s and we look forward to his continued involvement for many years to come. The Board welcomes Vanessa Alonso DeSimone who will be replacing Mark as Treasurer.
The business meeting was followed by a multi-faceted program, starting with a DVD film titled: “The Great Flood of 1936, The Connecticut River Story.” Accompanying and following this was a discussion about the Flood in Orford led by local historian, Art Pease, which featured photographs as well as stories by Art and the audience. There are some dramatic photos of that flood on the website and OHS Facebook pages.
Upcoming: we have planned for this summer a program on the important early community of Dame Hill. The Committee has been meeting regularly, with lots of enthusiasm from current and past Dame Hill residents. The Grand Opening will be on June 24, at the THHC in Orfordville and will feature exhibits, maps, early photos (examples are included in this Newsletter) and refreshments. All are welcome, of course. A Walking Tour of some Dame Hill features is planned for the 22nd of July with rides available on a horse-drawn wagon, for those who prefer to ride.
If you aren’t yet involved with the Historical Society, but might be interested, there are plenty of ways that you can help out. You don’t have to become a member of the Board, or even be a member of OHS. You can “pitch-in” for one day or one project. You might consider becoming a member of one of the Committees (Building, Collections Management, Community Relations, Exhibits, Finance/Fund Raising, Membership, Nominations, Oral Histories, Programs, Technology. Committee members don’t have to be a Board Member. The Committees are the “life-blood” of OHS. If you might be interested, an easy way to find out more is to send an email to the President, Richard Donham (rdonham8@gmail.com). Another way to find out more is to come to a Board meeting. These are public, and going forward we will be announcing them a few days in advance on the Orford Listserv. The meetings are generally (though not exclusively) the second Tuesday evening of each month, at 7 PM at the Town Hall Heritage Center in Orfordville.
Finally, the Board encourages you to think about becoming a Member of the Society if you aren’t already one. Memberships are $25/year, a smokin’ deal. You may join by sending a check made out to the Orford Historical Society, Attn: Ann Green, Membership Chairperson, Orford Historical Society, Box 44, Orford, NH 03777. You may wish to consider adding an additional amount, which will go to the Heritage Fund to support the maintenance and upkeep of the Heritage Center as well as new initiatives.
Board of Directors,
Orford Historical Society
