Orange Center Historic District (Orange, Connecticut)

The Orange Center Historic District Church encompasses the historic town center of Orange, Connecticut. Centered on the town green at the junction of Meetinghouse Lane and Orange Center Road, it has retained its character as a 19th-century agrarian town center despite significant 20th-century suburbanization around it. Originally established as a local historic district in 1978,[2] it listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.[1]

Orange Center Historic District Church
Orange Congregational Church
LocationRoughly Orange Center Rd. from Orange Cemetery to Nan Dr., Orange, Connecticut
Coordinates41°16′36″N 73°1′40″W
Area195 acres (79 ha)
Built1810 (1810)
ArchitectHoadley, David
Architectural styleGreek Revival, Late Victorian, Federal
NRHP reference No.89001089[1]
Added to NRHPAugust 10, 1989

Description and history

Orange was originally part of Milford, and was first settled in the late 17th century. It grew as a collection of dispersed farm properties through the 18th century, and in 1791 a common area, part of which survives as the town green, was set aside. A Congregational parish was authorized in 1804, prompting the construction of the present church. The town was separate incorporated in 1822. Growth of the town center was modest, because it was bypassed by major transportation routes.[3]

The Orange Congregational Church, designed by David Hoadley and built in 1810 on the town green, is a centerpiece of the district. This Federal style church features a Palladian window, domed belfry and a painted black oval "window" on the front tower.[4] The district also includes the Stone-Otis House (Federal with Greek revival portico), built circa 1830 (now a museum) and The Academy, a schoolhouse built in 1878 with stick style elements, including an elaborate gable screen, also now a museum.[4] The district includes examples of Greek Revival, Late Victorian, and Federal architecture.[1][3]

See also

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. Orange Connecticut Historic District
  3. Gregory E. Andrews and David F. Ransom (June 1, 1989). "National Register of Historic Places Registration: Orange Center Historic District". National Park Service. and Accompanying 16 photos, from 1989 (captions appear on page 20 of text document)
  4. Liz Deluca, The Historic District, A Walking Tour, Our Town Newspaper, June 10, 1997, pages 9-11.
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