Presidential Ponderings on the Past Year

By Ray Ezell

Hello members and friends,

We have officially ended the 60th anniversary of the establishment of our Society, and 2025 was a year of noteworthy achievement and growth. I am gratified by our ability to continue to deliver on our mission to preserve and disseminate the history of Orange County and its people. Here are some of our most notable achievements:

• Launched and successfully com- pleted a capital campaign raising more than $64,000 to replace the failed roof over our William H. and Sandra Speiden Auditorium

• Established the Frank S. Walker, Jr. Historic Preservation Award, Frank Walker being its first recipient.

• Commemorated the 60th anniversary of the Society’s founding with a celebratory reception attended by more than 150 participants

• Completed our 6th year of publish- ing the Orange Oracle electronic bulletin

• Conducted a history bus tour for new public-school teachers

• Recognized by the OrangeCounty School Board for providing outstand- ing support to teachers and students.

During the year, we continued to strengthen our relationships with the Orange County African American Historical Society, the James Madson Museum of Orange County Heritage, Historic Germanna, the Orange County Department of Tourism, and James Madison’s Montpelier. We are looking forward to these mutually beneficial relationships bearing much fruit in the coming years.

Looking Ahead

Looking forward to 2026, I am confident that this will be a year of significant growth and positive exposure. We will elect a slate of talent- ed new directors to the board, and I expect great things from them in the future (see above).

Although your generosity has been essential over the past year, in 2026 we have needs that require other types of contribution. I would like every member to seriously consider two items that will benefit us:

• First: Be present—attend programs, meetings, picnics, and occasionally stop by the Research Center to browse our holdings.

• Second: Encourage others to do the same, preferably those who are not current members of the Society.

The vitality of any organization depends on its ability to successfully communicate its purpose and mission to those who will listen. You can help us do this. And, if you have a suggestion for a program, research project, or some other im- provement, let me know your thoughts and feel free to reach out directly to me at rayezell_2000@ yahoo.com.