PAOLI – Several Orange County residents and community leaders marked America’s 250th birthday at the Courthouse in Paoli Saturday morning.
The ceremony opened with the playing of the National Anthem performed by Orleans High School Band Director Terry Burton. Orange County America 250 Chairman Robert Henderson welcomed those in attendance and made opening remarks. Also addressing the crowd was Marshall Noble, President of the Orange County Commissioners.
Special recognition was given to the Paoli Jaycees for all their efforts with the 1976 Celebration and Time Capsule. Unfortunately, the 50-year-old capsule was dug up late last week at the Courthouse. It was discovered that water had seeped into the container, compromising the contents. Henderson expressed hope that some items from the capsule would be salvageable and that efforts were underway to dry out as much of the contents as possible. More information will be released soon regarding the items salvaged.
Also receiving recognition were Orange County Veterans in attendance at the 1976 Celebration held at the Courthouse.
Roger Moon spoke to the crowd about the new Orange County America 250 Time Capsule project, which will be fully assembled later this week and sealed. Unlike the 1976 Time Capsule, the new capsule will not be buried but will be placed in a secure location within the Orange County Courthouse with instructions for its opening in 2076 on America’s 300th Birthday.
Other special activities taking place on Saturday included the formal rededication of the Orange County Revolutionary War Memorial. A new plaque was added listing seven additional names that were inadvertently left off the original 1940 monument. Members of the Lost River D.A.R. conducted an impressive memorial service for those patriots who are buried in Orange County and placed a wreath at the refurbished memorial. A display was also set up on the courthouse lawn listing all the patriots from Orange County, along with a brief bio on each one. Gordan Bell, dressed in Revolutionary War attire, represented the Sons of the American Revolution.
The ceremonies closed with the three Orange County Commissioners and Henderson dedicating a Liberty Tree on the courthouse lawn with a plaque denoting the tree was planted in observance of America’s 250th Anniversary.
