Meet Our Staff
Ruth Long
Ruth Long (since 2016) came to Orange County from New York in 1957 when she was a three year-old. She’s been here ever since. Here’s a little known fact about Ruth: she holds a dual citizenship with the Caribbean island of Nevis, from which her grandparents emigrated in 1915.
Married to the legendary George Long (plumber, electrician, roofer, small engine repairman extraordinaire) she noticed that he kept the obituary from every funeral he attended.
She has expanded and indexed that collection of 800 obituaries to 1600 and as a result has helped numerous folks connect to their long lost relatives.
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Married to the late legendary George Long (plumber, electrician, roofer, small engine repairman extraordinaire), she noticed that he kept the obituary from every funeral he attended.
Jayne Blair
Jayne Blair (since 2009) came to us from Texas here she served in the Navy and later had a 30-year career with the Dallas police department. She worked as a jailor, housing project peace officer, city hall security guard, and finally Dallas Airport police officer, where she got to know such luminaries as George Bush (father and son) and Lady Bird Johnson.
In fact, she handled roof top security when Air Force Two landed!
Author of two books about the Civil War among many other historical publications, Jayne also helped organize the re-enactment of the August 2nd, 1862 Battle of Orange Courthouse, as well as an encampment and demonstration at Montpelier. She calls the Historical Society Research Center “my playpen.”
Barbara Wimble
Barbara Wimble comes to us with a wealth of experience in work and volunteer service, focusing on historical interpretation and preservation. She has worked for the Historic Staunton Foundation, the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, and as an interpreter at James Madison’s Montpelier, among many other history-related occupations.
Most recently she served on the Lafayette Bicentennial Committee. As she termed it, “I am a stickler for historical accuracy.” Barbara began at the society in mid-2026.
