WEST BADEN — The Orange County Historical Society (OCHS) gathered at the Timeless French Lick Visitor Center in West Baden on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, for a monthly meeting centered on local heritage and final preparations for a historic Independence Day celebration.
Kenton Allbright of the French Lick/West Baden Museum served as the evening’s guest presenter, sharing a fascinating look into West Baden’s colorful history as a prominent winter home and staging ground for the American circus during the early 20th century.
Dual Exhibits Showcase Local and National History
In addition to the presentation, attendees took the opportunity to explore a major national touring exhibit currently housed at the visitor center. The America 250 Smithsonian Exhibit, “Voices and Votes: Democracy in America,” is on public display in West Baden through June 28.
Society members also previewed the newly unveiled Orange County Historic Timeline display, which is being showcased alongside the Smithsonian pieces to highlight the county’s specific contributions to state and national history.
America 250 Lantern Ignites County Tour
Robert Henderson, who serves as both the OCHS President and the Orange County America 250 Chairman, provided a brief update on the regional momentum building toward the nation’s upcoming Semiquincentennial.
Henderson announced that the official Indiana America 250 Lantern made its way through Orange County during the week of June 15. The lantern, which symbolizes the “light of liberty” sparked during the American Revolution, was placed on brief public display at several key local landmarks, including:
- The West Baden Springs Hotel Atrium
- The Historic Thomas Elwood Lindley House in Paoli
- The Orange County Courthouse
- Historic Congress Square in Orleans
Packed Fourth of July Schedule in Paoli
The society finalized its heavily anticipated schedule for July 4th, which will center around the historic Orange County Courthouse square in Paoli. The patriotic lineup kicks off at 10:00 a.m. and includes:
- 1976 Time Capsule Opening: A ceremonial unsealing of the county’s Bicentennial time capsule buried 50 years ago.
- Memorial Rededication: A formal rededication ceremony honoring the Orange County Revolutionary War Soldiers Memorial.
- Liberty Tree Planting: A living tribute to the America 250 milestone planted on the courthouse grounds.
Vice President Roger Moon also reminded residents to contribute to the upcoming “America 250” Time Capsule Project. Instructional packets detailing how families, schools, and civic groups can submit items for the new capsule are currently available for pickup at all three Orange County public libraries.
Museum Operations and Historic Sites Update
The OCHS Museum, located in Paoli, remains open to the public on most Fridays and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., with alternative times available by appointment. Henderson noted that while the museum is open, certain downstairs exhibit areas are temporarily cordoned off for repairs to the historic wooden flooring. The restoration work is expected to wrap up very soon.
Meanwhile, the historic Thomas Elwood Lindley House farmhouse continues to draw heritage travelers by appointment. Tours this month included a special visit from Lindley family descendants traveling from as far away as Columbus, Indiana, and Vermont.
Local preservation efforts are gaining regional traction, as copies of the new Timeless French Lick 2026 Visitor Guide passed around at the meeting feature both the OCHS Museum and the Lindley House. Additionally, the society’s preservation work will be the subject of an upcoming feature in the summer edition of Southern Indiana Living magazine.
Next Meeting
The Orange County Historical Society holds its regular meetings on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM at the Paoli Library, unless otherwise noted. The next scheduled meeting will take place on July 28, 2026.
For more information regarding upcoming events, history submissions, or to schedule a private tour, contact President Robert Henderson at 812-653-1212, via email at info@historicorangecounty.org, or visit the society’s official digital archive at www.historicorangecounty.org.
