F24-06 Orange: A CT Town's Transition of Farm & Families
Class | Available (Membership Required)
Like many New England towns, Orange began as part of the Connecticut colony and was primarily a farming community. In 1822, when it separated from Milford, its inhabitants were primarily Yankees descended from British colonists. Gradually, waves of immigrants diversified the town's ethnic mix. By the end of WWII, the town's population increased and its economy expanded as returning veterans sought to buy homes and find ways to make a living. Today's Orange encompasses its farming history and its commercial corridor.
Trish O'Leary
Trish O'Leary a former columnist for The Milford-Orange Times, has been writing profiles of notable Orange citizens for over 10 years. In her column "Grave Matters," she focused on people buried in the Orange Cemetery whose tales entwined with town history. She leads memoir-writing courses at The Orange Senior Center and co-authored with Pat Miller "Grave Matters/Early Voices," a play produced in honor of the town's 200th birthday. They are currently collaborating on a sequel.