PAOLI — The Orange County Historical Society (OCHS) is welcoming the community to ring in the holiday season with two upcoming seasonal events, beginning with a Holiday Open House at the Orange County Historic Museum later this month.
The museum open house will take place on Sunday, November 22, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., running concurrently with the annual Paoli Merchants Christmas Open House. Located at the historic Dr. J.H. Sherrod House—circa 1885—on the northwest corner of the Courthouse Square in Paoli, the museum will offer free admission, though donations are accepted to support ongoing upkeep and historical preservation.
“We would like to extend a special invitation to everyone to stop in and visit us during the Open House event and enjoy the many interesting exhibits and display areas,” said OCHS President Robert Henderson.
This event marks the final scheduled public opening of the 2026 season for the museum, which will be accessible afterward only by appointment for individuals and small groups.
Museum Exhibits and Gift Shop
Visitors exploring the 130-year-old building will find a wide array of local memorabilia and historical artifacts, including antique clothing, primitive farm and woodworking tools, historical church and court records, books, and a rare miniature English Tudor dollhouse with furnishings.
Special exhibits on display include:
- An Orange County Courthouse display on the main downstairs level.
- An impressive pharmaceutical display donated by Skip Lambdin on the upper floor.
- A new exhibit showcasing historic ladies’ clothing upstairs.
- A re-created one-room schoolhouse and a period doctor’s office reflecting early American history.
Downstairs, society members will operate a small gift shop offering holiday gift ideas, including Commemorative Courthouse Bricks, exclusive Orange County America 250 merchandise, and gift memberships for the 2027 season.
As a fundraiser for the organization, the society has also released a new commemorative Christmas ornament for the holiday season. Featuring a patriotic image of the Orange County Courthouse captured on July 4th in honor of America 250, the ornaments will be available for purchase during the open house.
Old Fashioned Christmas at the Lindley House
Following the museum event, OCHS will host its annual “Old Fashioned Christmas at the Farmhouse” on Sunday, December 6, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The historic Lindley House, located on Willow Creek Road, will open its doors for the afternoon, featuring holiday decorations designed to reflect an 1860s Christmas.
