About the Orange Community
Historical Society
The Orange
Community Historical Society (OCHS) was founded in 1973 and
serves
as the focal point for those interested in the history
of Orange and its surrounding area, the OCHS and its members contribute
to many community activities
by providing information about our heritage and by
supplying written
and photographic resources for those wishing to learn more about our
legacy.
Our
Mission
The
mission of
the
Orange Community
Historical Society is to commemorate the rich heritage of our
community. Our purpose is to
collect photographs, written materials and related ephemera,
promote research, events, activities and programs celebrating Orange
history, sponsor local history endeavors, and remain
self-supporting through memberships, donation bequests and special
projects. We welcome everyone.
Who
We Are & What We Do
 In
honor of Florence Flippen Smiley, an esteemed pioneer and founder of
the society, the OCHS established the Florence Flippen
Smiley Memorial Archives to encourage citizens to collect and preserve
history, and to make available materials that document our
area’s rich heritage. As the collection grew,
Orange National Bank agreed to house this valuable collection in their
plaza office. In 1988, the OCHS and the City of Orange
collaborated to place the collection at the Orange Public Library
&
History Center, with increased accessibility to the public
(407 E
Chapman
Ave, Orange, California).
Today, the combined collections of the OCHS and the Orange Public
Library & History Center, contain books, manuscripts, local
newspapers, city and county directories, oral histories, Sanborn Fire
Insurance Maps for Orange, audio and video interviews and thousands of
historical photographs. There are also topical files
containing material on subjects such as early pioneers, family
biographies, architecture, schools, civic organizations, religious
organizations and businesses. The collection
is available to the public for use in the library during library hours.
We welcome donations of additional materials that enrich our knowledge
of the community.
The
Orange Community Historical Society is a nonprofit
organization 501 (c) (3). A volunteer Board
of Directors coordinates our ongoing
activities.
Besides presenting programs on historic topics, the OCHS has hosts
historical tours, and participants in various community anniversary
celebrations. Each year the Society presents the William T.
Glassell Award to an individual or group that has contributed to
preserving our local heritage. Over the years, OCHS has
published historic post cards, posters, booklets and two collections of
pioneer recollections. Currently, a beautiful historical afghan
is offered
as a collection piece, which was introduced in 1996 and continues to be
in constant demand.
Membership,
Benefits &
Projects
Historical
programs, ice cream socials & The Orange Tribune newsletter
Proactive awareness in the preservation of Orange history
Contact
with members knowledgeable about Orange history
Members receive
discounts
on OCHS merchandise, such as the historical afghan
Historical walking tours
Oral
and video history preservation
Supporting and contributing materials to our local history archives
Historical
photograph preservation
William
T. Glassell & Florence Flippen Smiley Awards
Support
of other local history-related projects
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