Orford New Hampshire
Orford Academy, Circa 1860
Located on Main Street in the Historic District of Orford. Orford Academy was built in 1857 as a private school and purchased by the town in 1898 as a grammar school. It became Orford High School in 1926, and until recently, the high school building for the Rivendell Academy. It is the oldest public building in Orford and the oldest school building of its kind still in continuous use in New Hampshire.
Orford Brickyard
In 1770, John Mann established a brickyard which continued operation until 1907. Located on the Orfordville Road.
United Congregational Church of Orford
In 1999, the Congregational Church of Orford and the First Congregational Church of Orfordville merged to become the United Congregational Church of Orford.
The Congregational Church of Orford
This gothic revival style church (on right) was built in 1854 on the site of the West Meeting House.
It features arched windows and a balustrade clock tower with the oldest working clock in New Hampshire. The steeple is lit at night and the clock still works. It is located on Orford's Main Street (Route 10).
The First Congregational Church of Orfordville
This church has a large stained-glass window. It has the oldest pipe organ (c. 1830) known to be in use in New Hampshire. It is located on Route 25A in Orfordville. 
The Orfordville Church, rebuilt in 1895 after being destroyed by fire.
Right: circa 1900; Below: 2001
Orford Covered Bridge, circa 1888
A bridge across the Connecticut River links Orford to Fairlee, VT. Built in 1857, this covered bridge was an adaptation of the lattice truss. It used heavy, squared timbers for the planks. It had a tollgate and tollhouse (on right). It was replaced in 1937 by the current bridge.
Elm House
Located on Main Street in Orford
Federal Houses
Located on Orford's Main Street, next to the Social Library
Orford Free Library, circa 1900
Located on Route 25A, Orfordville, the Orford Free Library has meeting space for community groups such as the Historical Society. It offers fun programs and learning activities for children and adults: Poetry readings, book discussions, bedtime story hours, Sunday afternoon crafts, Summer reading program, Halloween pumpkin carving, Ville Quilters. A variety of services are provided at the Free Library: Extensive collection of audio and video materials, puzzles and games , computer, copier and fax machine, free passes to the Squam Lake Natural Science Center and VINS.
2004 Statistics
- 2,097 Patrons
- 2,293 Circulation of materials
Orfordville General Store
Photo on left (circa 1900) The Orfordville General Store
Photo on right (2001): The white building, built about 1920, was once the Orfordville General Store and Post Office.
Governor Meldrim Thomson, Jr.
91st Governor of New Hampshire
Meldrim Thomson, Jr. served as governor of New Hampshire for three consecutive terms from 1973 until 1979. He was a strong conservative, fighting to keep New Hampshire as the only state without a sales tax or state income tax. He had a balanced budget with a surplus every year he was in office.
Although born in Pennsylvania and educated in the South, Meldrim Thomson, Jr. adopted Orford, New Hampshire as his home in 1954. Governor Thomson once wrote that he had "a continuing love affair with New Hampshire..." and "...fell under the magic spell of the beauty of the Granite State..." He noted that "Nothing ... compared to the breathless sweep of the intervals of the White Mountains or the majestic ruggedness of her peaks."
In 1975, concerning the economy of New Hampshire, Governor Thomson wrote "...We have a strong desire to maintain our scenic beauty and an equal concern for maintaining the prosperity that sets New Hampshire apart from many of our other states."
Governor Meldrim Thomson, Jr. died in 2001 at the age of 89. May he rest in peace.
Masonic Hall
Formerly the Universalist Church (c. 1840). The Masonic Hall is located on Orford's Main Street at the end of the West Common
Orfordville School
Situated along Route 25A in Orfordville, this school was built in 1898 and remained in operation as a school until 1990 when a larger school was built. It currently houses the Town Offices.
Quinttown School, Circa 1807
Built in 1807 for a student population of 60. By 1895, there were only 5 students and by 1900, Quinttown school ceased operation.
The Ridge, circa 1900
The Ridge Houses are a row of seven Federal and Greek Revival houses on a ridge overlooking Orford's Main Street.From right to left (South to North):
- Wheeler House (built 1816) - John B. Wheeler, merchant
- Rogers House (built 1817, 1821) - John Rogers, lawyer
- Wilcox House (built 1805, 1819, 1833) - Leonard Wilcox, lawyer, U.S. Senator
- Morey House (built 1773, 1799, 1804) - Obadiah Noble, Orford's first minister and Samuel Morey, inventor
- Willard House (built 1839) - Stedman Willard, merchant
- Hinckley House (built 1829) - Dyar T. Hinckley, merchant
- Howard House (built 1825-29) - William Howard, beaver hat manufacturer (House not shown)
View current photos of the Ridge Houses in the Scenic Tour
Samuel Morey Bridge
Originally built in 1938, rebuilt and rededicated in 2003. One of four steel-arched bridges remaining in New Hampshire.
Left: 
View from Orford NH to Fairlee VT; Right: View from Fairlee VT to Orford NH.
Orford Service Organizations
- Orford Historical Society
- Contact: Kellen Haak 353-4656 or Gary Apfel 353-4647
- Lions Club
- Meets the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month from September to June
- Contact: Dick Gray 353-4580
- Friends of the Orford Libraries
- Orford Garden Club
- Masons
- Eastern Star
Orford Social Library, 1840
The Social Library is located on Main Street next to the Federal Houses. In the 2001 Annual Report, Jude Parker, President of the Board of Trustees wrote:
"The Orford Social Library is a vital component of sustaining the dynamic fabric of this community. As we strive to meet with limited resources, the steadily expanding use and expectations of the townspeople, we are grateful fo the recognition on the part of the Selectmen and the budget committee of the core importance of a library in the life of a healthy community."
- Member of the New Hampshire Interlibrary Loan system
- Recipient of Kids, Books and the Arts Grant to host a magician/storyteller as part of the summer reading program
- Regular Programs include: story hours, chess club, book discussions, Crafter's Evening, and summer reading program
- Public copier and computer
- Meeting place for several community organizations or subcommittees
2004 Statistics:
- 6,230 Patrons
- 7,760 Circlulation of materials
Early History
During Orford's first century, until the old Town Hall was built, town meetings were held in various locations, including private homes, schoolhouses, and churches. Why was the Town Hall -- or "Town House", as it was also called -- built in Orfordville rather than alongside the common on Orford Street? The answer is unclear; it's more central location in the township could well be one reason. According to local historian William Conant, heated discussions took place prior to the decision to locate the building in Orfordville.
It appears from Town records that the building was completed in 1859 at a cost of $1,474.10. Its construction was funded by borrowing from a number of Orford residents; the notes were subsequently paid back with interest.Town records show that in 1894, Frank J. Beal of Orfordville was paid $71.40 for "settees" for the Town House. These no doubt were long wooden benches made in the Beal's local chair factory, several of which are still being used in the Niles Room at the Town Offices. Renovations costing $1,200 were made to the building in about 1913-14. Although we lack a record of what renovations were made, it seems most likely that it was then that the partition wall was constructed, providing separate kitchen space, together with the balcony above it.
At the same time, judging from traces visible on the building's exterior, the tops of the side windows were lowered. We can also guess that the central gravity heating system was installed then, replacing one or more cast-iron stoves,
— A Building with Many Uses
In addition to its official functions as the site of annual Town and School meetings and Orford's polling place, the Town Hall saw long service as a social center. According to Laura Verry, the Orfordville Ladies Society used the building, with its kitchen facilities, for suppers, quilting bees, and annual maple sugar, strawberry and Christmas festivals. Minstrel shows, round and square dances, wedding receptions, weekly bingo, auctions and rummage sales, and Grange functions too large for the Grange Hall were also held there. For nearly 40 years, the Congregational Church arranged summer Sunday dinners, which drew guests from surrounding towns. The grand finale of the season was the Hunters' Supper.The building's stage was ideal for community theatrical productions as well as for traveling medicine shows. Surviving to this day are a large painted sheet of canvas which was the stage curtain, and a massive curved stage extension, or apron, several feet wide and measuring almost 20 feet long. The rolled-up curtain, which should be restored and displayed, is now stored on the second floor of the Town Office building. The stage apron -- one huge piece -- rests in the crawl space under the Town Hall.
— Saving the Town Hall
1959 was the last year in which Orford School District Meetings were held at the Town Hall. The following year, the newly completed Memorial Hall at the Orford School became the site of the school meetings. Use of the Town Hall continued to decline. In 1983, primarily because of the need for additional space, Orford's Annual Town Meetings were moved to Memorial Hall. On April 18, 1988, the Town Hall hosted its last formal function: "The Rainbow Connection", a musical concert presented by the Orfordville School, directed by Kathleen Sherlock, and starring the students of Kindergarten and Grades One through Four.
Within a few years, the unused Town Hall began to show its 130 years. It needed paint and developed leaks in its roof. In view of its uncertain future, the Orford Selectmen were reluctant to propose spending Town funds to maintain it. Following an authorizing vote at Town Meeting in 1994, the small building adjoining the west side of the Town Hall, a former private house which had served as the Selectmen's office until November 1993, was sold by the Town and removed from the site. At the same time, a group of Orford residents came together in an effort to save the Town Hall. Consideration was given to possible new uses, and to various schemes for carrying out necessary repairs and improvements while not using Town tax dollars. As a result of these efforts, a vote at the 1996 Annual Town Meeting authorized the sale of the Town Hall and its lot, subject to the following restrictions, as covenants running with the land: (1) The Town Hall cannot be demolished or removed from its present site. (2) The building must be repaired / restored. (3) The Town shall have the right of first refusal should the owner choose to sell the building and land. Governed by these conditions, the building was purchased in 1996 by John Matyka. Extensive repairs and restoration work were then carried out, and the Town Hall Antiques store opened for business in the same year.
Sources
- "The Old Town Hall" by Laura Washburn Verry, the Orford Educator, 1994
- Thanks to the Past by Alice Doan Hodgson, Historical Fact Publications, Orford, NH, 1965.
- Orford Town Reports and other records, Selectmen's Office, Orford, NH., Complied by Carl Schmidt, October 1998
Orford Town Offices
Driving along Route 25A in Orfordville you'll see this sign in front of the Orford Town Offices. The newly erected (Nov 11 2003) Orford World War II Veterans Memorial is located in front of the Orford Town Offices also. The building in the background on the right is the Old Town Hall.
Built in 1898 as the Orfordville School, this building was the daytime home for local children for many years. It became the home to the Orford Town Offices in 1990 when a new school was built. Although the interior has been remodeled for its current purposes, the exterior of this building remains basically the same.
Tour Orford: Historic Ridge Houses | Scenic | Community