Orange County Historical Museum

Was small but informative and community based

Small but interesting historical exhibits.

Hillsborough is a nice little town not far from Chapel Hill. Lot of history here. Unfortunately there's not much in terms of specialty shops, and its mostly restaurants, with a few that were closed, for what seemed like quite some time.

Otherwise the downtown area is small, but clean, with a lot of greenary mixed in which is great on hot days, and there are nice older southern homes, each unique in their own way, making for pleasant walk on the side streets.

The curator of this museum is really fun, innovative and engaging. I came here for a school field trip with my homeschool co-op and Tanya Day, the curator took two hours of her time to explain everything to us, and lead us in a craft activity as well. We learned a lot about the native American history of this area- information that is not available in any books or websites. Tanya Day's natural enthusiasm for history was infectious for the children and they left retaining a lot of information and with a positive memory of the learning experience.

This small museum showcases various aspects of Orange County's history through permanent installations, temporary exhibits and programs. Located at the top end of the business district, it's an easy stroll from the other downtown attractions. Good for adults and kids, the Museum doesn't require a lot of time to take in. It's a terrific stop on your next visit.

Full disclosure: I'm currently on the Museum's board, but I was a fan even before I was elected.