Welcome to the Historical Society of Orange Park
Let's make our community a better place!
Let's make our community a better place!
Vision Statement
The Historical Society of Orange Park exists to educate the community about the rich and dynamic history of the greater Orange Park, Florida area including the contributions of those individuals, civilian and military, that shaped our past and enriched the present.
Mission Statement
To accomplish our objective, the Society collects, preserves and displays historical artifacts and relics of the past. We research and document topics of local interest then share these stories with the community. We collect, preserve and display printed and digital materials of historical value. We arrange or facilitate educational and historical tours, field trips, exhibitions and displays for residents of the greater Orange Park, Florida area.
We are always looking for volunteers to help us make our vision a reality. The Society has opportunities for research, community service and leadership, offering the chance to learn and share local history in a variety of ways. Opportunities include digitizing historical documents, helping with podcast creation, live-history re-enactment
We are always looking for volunteers to help us make our vision a reality. The Society has opportunities for research, community service and leadership, offering the chance to learn and share local history in a variety of ways. Opportunities include digitizing historical documents, helping with podcast creation, live-history re-enactment and more. We offer people of all ages a chance to help others tell the story. By joining the Society, even if for just one project, you will be fascinated by what there is to learn.
Whether you help through monetary donations, volunteering your time, or spreading our mission through word-of-mouth, thank you! We couldn't accomplish our goals without the help of supporters like you.
The Clarke House, built in 1912 and located in Clarke House Park, 1039 Kingsley Avenue, is open for tours the second Sunday of each month from 2 PM to 4 PM. Sunday afternoons are the perfect time for a leisurely tour of the house, both upstairs and downstairs.
The Historical Society of Orange Park is sharing vintage news stories each month of 2024, clipped from The Breeze newspaper (1959 to 1971). This month we feature the Orange Park Garden Club and their “Plant-in Party”. This group has been making Orange Park prettier since 1948. The Historical Society appreciates the help they have given our organization over the years. Check out the old library in the background.
The Town of Orange Park will host the 42nd Annual Orange Park Fall Festival on Saturday, October 19 and Sunday, October 20, from 10 AM to 5 PM each day! The event features two full days of fun for the entire family. The festival features music, food, fun, crafts, vendors, kid’s activities and live entertainment! Admission is free! Limited parking is available near the festival site and the Town has arranged for parking at Moosehaven with free shuttle service running throughout the day. To learn more about the festival, please visit https://opfallfestival.com/.
The Society will be hosting a booth at our usual location directly behind Town Hall, across from the gazebo to share our local history through various artifacts and displays as well as spread the word about upcoming events such as Moonlight on Magnolia and the Veterans Day Ceremony. Volunteers are needed to help us man the booth both days. If you can spare a few hours to help out, please email us at info@ophistory.org and let us know the times and dates you are available.
Moonlight on Magnolia, featuring historical guided walks through Magnolia Cemetery, will take place this year on October 26 from 4-7 PM. Visitors will be led through Magnolia Cemetery to visit “former residents” of Orange Park and hear their stories. Orange Park has had its share of interesting characters who have each made their unique contribution to creating the town we live in today. Their stories are the story of our town.
Volunteers are needed. There are acting parts available for those interested in presenting local characters to visitors. We also need folks to escort groups around as guides. There is a script to use as a guide and each guide can choose their outfit! We also need help with logistics- especially at the starting point where we need folks to man tables and help organize folks into equally populated groups. Please contract us at info@ophistory.org if you would like to participate.
Access to the cemetery will be different this year. The Town is replacing the culvert under the entrance road to the cemetery therefore, the entrance road will be closed and there will be no entry into the cemetery from Kingsley Avenue starting September 2. Alternative access is being provided to the back of the cemetery via Azalea Avenue. Work has progressed and well and we are hopeful that the culvert work will be completed prior to this event and access restored to the cemetery via the entrance road.
The Historical Society of Orange Park and the Town of Orange Park invite you to join us at 11 AM, Monday, November 11 for our annual Veterans Day Ceremony to be held at the Orange Park Veterans Memorial, which is located just inside the gates of the town’s historic Magnolia Cemetery, 1040 Kingsley Avenue.
We welcome all to be a part of this moving, patriotic ceremony that pays tribute to those who bravely served our country.
The program for this year’s recognition will include a presentation of the colors by the Orange Park High School NJROTC Color Guard, and musical performances by Kiley Taylor and the First Coast Highlanders. The program features inspiring words from Winette Sandlin, Vice Mayor of the Town of Orange Park, Judy Sweep with the Daughters of the American Revolution, and keynote speaker Kimberly Anding, USAF, Ret., Honor Flight Program Director. Also featured will be local students who will present the winning essays in the 2024 Veterans Day Essay Contest, participation by the American Legion Post #250 Riders and a flyover by the Dreamland Squadron from Haller Airfield.
Seating is limited so attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs. There will be NO parking in the cemetery. Parking is available in the First Baptist Church lot one block west of the cemetery at 1140 Kingsley Avenue. Refreshments will be provided following the ceremony.
Please click the links below to obtain a copy of our current newsletter or a recent newsletter.
610 Kingsley Avenue, Orange Park
428 Park Avenue
372 Blanding Blvd., Orange Park
Historical Society of Orange Park
P.O. Box 08, Orange Park, Florida 32067
Copyright © 2024 Historical Society of Orange Park - All Rights Reserved.
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