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THE STONE - OTIS HOUSE

The history of the Stone-Otis House begins August 17, 1830 when Benjamin Clark of that generation, for the sum of $160.00 sold to Dennis B. Stone, 24 year old son of a nearby farmer, "a piece of land on the Green, near the North Milford Meeting House containing acre bounded West and North by the Highway, East and South by Benjamin Clark."
Indications are that soon afterward ground was broken and building began. Although of modest means, Dennis seems to have been a young man with good taste. Although not as large as other houses around the Green, his was to be fitting for the company of the Hoadley designed Meeting House across the road.

The interior of the house has seen many changes. Restoration to an "original" state was started in 1980 at which time the original kitchen was remodeled into an 1830's one. In 1985 the southwest front room was restored to an early Victorian (1860) parlor and plans are underway (in 1986) to restore the northwest room to a store and gathering place (circa 1840). The 1950 kitchen, located in an original bedroom in the northeast corner will remain. Upstairs 3 exhibit rooms and an office are maintained. A complete account of the restoration project can be found at the house.

Research indicates that a store-post office - gathering spot was established in the northwest room subsequent to the closing of Bryan's store across the green in 1839. Mr. Stone was postmaster circa 1855 as well. However, in 1848 a newspaper reports a church fair as being held there for 2 days - "The Ladies of the Congregational Church in Orange hold a fair at the house of D.B. Stone, Esq. this and tomorrow afternoon and evening, commencing at two o'clock. The object is a worthy one and we trust our citizens will call on the ladies with their contributions. It is a most awful whiggish place but the women are pretty and compound capital cake".

During World War I Red Cross workers used the house. Residents also recall members of the Dorcas Society of the church meeting there for quilting bees.

The house was occupied by the Dennis Stone Family until after Mrs. Stone died in 1870. Shortly afterward Dennis and his son LeGrand, with the latter's wife, Emily, moved to Kansas. History of the house is blank from that time
until 1887, although a family named Walker may have rented for part of that time.

On November 9, 1887, LeGrand Stone sold the property "with dwelling, barn and other improvements" to "Phebe E. Otis, wife of Charles H. Otis of Shelton." The new owners were a young couple who were soon blessed with two sons and a daughter, the latter living in the house her entire lifetime. The property was purchased by the town of Orange in 1967 and served as headquarters for the Public Health Nursing Service. In 1980 the house was leased to the Orange Historical Society and has since been used for meetings, workshops, displays, and tours.