ORANGE — President of the Orange Historical Society Kathy Schiappa said tucked away in various rooms and corners of the building on North Main Street are memorabilia that tell the story of Orange’s former, vibrant industries.
These include the Grout Brothers, which built the steam-powered automobile starting in 1899 in Orange, the New Home Sewing Machine Company and Minute Tapioca.
“They were pretty important industries in town. I think it is interesting because now you look at it and think what do we have for industry? But people don’t realize how vibrant a town (Orange) was,” said Sue Enko, member of the society’s board of directors.
Located in downtown Orange, the large white building was formerly owned by Orange resident Stephen French around 1866. Previously a smaller home, French eventually expanded the residence into a larger one of 24 rooms. Five generations of his family lived there including his mother, his wife, his daughter and eventually her husband Fred Weymouth and their three children, until the current historical society was chartered in 1942 by paying off a mortgage of around $4,000.
Today, there are 18 rooms full of paintings, yearbooks, pictures, old clothing and much more to educate residents on the town’s history. There is also a three-story barn attached to the building that allows visitors to take a peak at old equipment used by the fire department, a Grout, the canoe that won the first River Rat Race in 1964, wooden tools stashed away on the top floor of the barn and even an old Athol Daily News sign.
Each room in the historical society is organized by a theme and details a specific history of the town, such as the music room on the second floor just past the stairs. Visitors can see everything from old band uniforms to records, musical instruments and pictures. Next to that room is the alumni room, which has different types of memorabilia from Orange High School. From trophies to a model of the former North Orange School and plenty of old yearbooks, visitors can learn about the lives of students from the past.
Schiappa said when students come for a visit from Orange elementary schools, they tend to enjoy visiting the small military room on the second floor. The room showcases everything from military uniforms, jackets, old medals, a stereopticon viewer with pictures and World War II artifacts.
Other rooms throughout the building include a bedroom full of antique hats and clothing, a kitchen stocked with old appliances and milk bottles and even a Victorian bathroom.
Each time Schiappa leads a tour of the historical society, or travels around the building herself, she sees something new she hadn’t noticed before.
The historical society is open every Wednesday and Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. from June to September. For those who cannot make those days, Schiappa said they can make an appointment for a guided tour of the building. Every second Saturday from early June to the beginning of September, the historical society welcomes residents for a breakfast on their porch. For $6.50 visitors can enjoy items from quiche, French toast, fruit and waffles.