PAOLI – Fifty years ago, this month in November 1972, a group of historic-minded Orange County citizens gathered at the home of Owen Stout, south of Paoli for the purpose of organizing the present-day Orange County Historical Society.
Newspaper articles from the date list that the following persons were present: Max W. Apple, Ross Atkinson, Rev. Robert Bennett, Harry Clements, Arthur L. Dillard, Frank, and Linda Du Breuil, George Evashuk, Paul Farlow, Patrick Fleming, Thelma Lindley, Kathryn Murray, Noel Newlin, Howard Sermersheim, Owen Stout, James M. Tucker, Lucille Waynick, Paul Waynick, Regina Wilson, and Elizabeth Worland.
The need for a museum (in 1976 a museum would be established first at the old Orangeville Methodist Church and later in the former Orange County annex on the NW corner the Paoli Square) to preserve Orange County’s historical heritage was discussed. Owen Stout was selected as president of the then-new organization. Arthur Dillard was tapped as vice president, Etta Regina Wilson, as secretary, Harry Clements, as treasurer, and Randall Doan, as assistant treasurer.
The influx of tourists to Orange County upon the then completion of Patoka Lake was cited as another reason for establishing a museum.
A second meeting of the new Society was held the next month on December 5th in the county courtroom with nearly 60 persons in attendance. Membership of the new group was increased to approximately 45. By-laws were formally presented during the meeting. With the boom in membership and interest growing the Orange County Historical Society was really on its way.
The Society acquired a significant asset in 1974 when it received the historic Lindley House in Paoli. The homesite was gifted to the Society by the great-great-grandson, H. Carl Thompson and Dorothy Farlow Thompson. The farmhouse is restored to reflect the period of the mid-1850s to the 1860s when it was used as a farm home. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.
In addition to owning and maintaining the historic Lindley House, the OCHS operates the Orange County Historic Museum. Housed today (through a longtime agreement and partnership with Orange County officials) in what was once the private residence of Dr. J.H. Sherrod and his family, the museum is filled with artifacts and relics of Orange County’s past and a testament to the beginnings of a rural Southern Indiana community.
Much has been accomplished by the group these past five decades in their mission to preserve Orange County’s stories and precious artifacts. The Society’s present officers include Robert F. Henderson, President CEO; Brenda Cornwell, Vice President, Gary Spear, Recording Secretary, Carolyn Clements, Treasurer. The Board of Directors is headed up by Terry Cornwell as Chairman, Carolyn Clements, Janice Newton, and Jeff Lane.
Since 1972 the Orange County Historical Society has been diligently working towards its goals and plan for another productive 50 years. For more information on the OCHS and its activities visit www.historicorangecounty.org.
