This Week in Orange: The 1893 World’s Fair and Antique Roses
Did you know Orange has ties to the legendary Chicago World’s Fair held in 1893? Some of you may see these connections every day without even knowing it. And what about gardening? Do you need some inspiration for your flowerbed? You can learn all about these topics this week with the return of The W.H. Stark House Lecture Series, the final activities in this year’s Orange in Bloom cultural events.
For those of you not familiar with the Lecture Series, allow me to introduce you. The W.H. Stark House hosts this recurring event during which speakers visit Orange to share their expertise in a particular industry. You may have heard about last fall’s Lecture Series event with Beth Szescila, the popular appraiser from the PBS television show Antiques Roadshow. It was such a success that the Stark House staff organized two equally fascinating lectures for Orange in Bloom. Both lectures are free of charge and will take place at the Lutcher Theater.
First up is tomorrow night’s lecture at 6:30 p.m. with Jay Firsching, a preservation specialist from ARCHITEXAS, a preservation-based architecture firm located in Dallas. He will present a lecture titled The White City in Orange: How the World’s Columbian Exposition Changed the Face of American Architecture. The area where the fair took place earned the name The White City because of the illuminating effect of the white stucco buildings and the extensive use of streetlights in that area. It was at this exposition where the Beaux Arts style of architecture was introduced, which had a lasting impact on the entire nation. It is also where Frances Ann Lutcher purchased the first stained-glass windows for what would become the First Presbyterian Church in Orange, which is currently undergoing restoration by ARCHITEXAS.
The second lecture will take place Saturday, April 12 at 1 p.m. with Glenn Schroeter from The Antique Rose Emporium located in Brenham. His presentation, titled A New Look at Old Roses, will focus on antique roses, which grow better than newer varieties. He will also provide tips for growing these flowers and even give away an antique rose to one lucky recipient.
The W.H. Stark House will host a reception following each lecture in its Carriage House, located across Main Street from the Theater. On Saturday, in addition to the reception, the Stark House gardens will be open for visitors, and the first floor of the house will feature a collection of historic photos of citizens of Orange enjoying outdoor picnics in the early 1900s. Both receptions, as well as the garden tour and Stark House first floor tour following the Schoeter lecture, are free of charge.
These lectures provide an ideal conclusion to the season’s Orange in Bloom cultural events. While one provides a fascinating look into Orange’s history, the other gives insight into making Orange more beautiful for the future. Both inspire even more appreciation for the city we’ve all been working so hard to enhance. So, make plans to further this effort by being part of these educational and enjoyable lecture opportunities.
This message was also printed in the April 9, 2008, issue of The Orange Leader by guest columnist Nikki Sumrow. You can read a new column each Wednesday in The Orange Leader discussing the latest Orange events and activities.
