Collections at the Orange County Historical Museum

Orange County Historical Museum has over 2,000 artifacts, books, photographs, and documents in its collections. Highlights of the collection include the Colonial Weights and Measures, the Orange Guard Flag, the three Whisett Murals, and the 1891 Tate Map of Orange County.

The Museum collects Orange County objects, which are used to tell the story of Orange County history and assist researchers. Artifacts from more than 300 years of Hillsborough and Orange County history are currently displayed in the museum's main exhibits.

To find out more about our collection, be sure to check out the Museum’s Blog.

Research at the Orange County Historical Museum

Downloadable Online Publications

Preserving the Collections- Adopt an Artifact Program
While the Museum does its best to stop the ravages of time on its collection of over 2,000 artifacts, some items become in need of professional care. The cost of conservation is substantial, but necessary to ensure that these objects are available for future generations. Our Adopt an Artifact program allows community members, foundation, and corporations to donate money that is used solely for conservation efforts. Learn more about the process here.

Donating to the Collections
If you have an item or collection of items that you are interested in donating to the museum, please visit the Acquisition Policy link. You will learn what type of materials we collect and how to go about making a donation.