Orange County Historian’s Office Marks 150th Anniversary of  Orange County’s Entrance into Civil War Lecture to Coincide with August 25 Camp Wickham Mustering Event
GOSHEN – The summer of 2012 marks the 150th anniversary of Orange County residents’ entrance into the Civil War. The first local citizens to join the War Between the
States mustered at Camp Wickham in Goshen, at the location where the Orange County Government Center now stands. Members of the 124th York Regiment, nicknamed the Orange Blossoms because of the orange ribbon they wore on their uniforms, set out from Orange County in September 1862 for training in Washington D.C. They had their first taste of battle in May 1863 during the Chancellorsville Campaign. The members of the 124th New York State Volunteers will be in Goshen commemorating the mustering of the regiment by presenting living history on August 25 and 26 on the lawn of the Orange County Government Center, 255 Main Street, Goshen, from 10 am to 4 pm Saturday and 10 am to 2 pm Sunday. Also, Michael McAfee, Curator of the West Point Museum, will be presenting a lecture entitled “Soldiers of the Hudson Valley” at 7 pm at the historic 1841 Courthouse, 101 Main Street, Goshen. Many present-day Orange County residents have ties to the historic 124thRegiment. Orange County Historian Cornelia Bush will help people learn more about their Civil War connections in the upcoming lecture series “Researching Your Civil War Ancestors.” The program will be held Saturday, August 25 at the 1841 Courthouse, 101 Main Street, Goshen. Sessions will be held at 9 am and 11am. Seating is limited and registration is required for all three lecture programs; to reserve your spot, call the Historian’s Office at 291-2388. “While much is known about the role Orange County played in the American Revolution,
residents are less familiar with our County’s contributions to the Civil War,” said County -- MORE --Executive Diana. “We are fortunate to have people like our County Historian and the re-enactors of the 124th NY State Volunteers to help keep this history alive for future generations. I encourage those residents with an interest in genealogy and the Civil War to participate in the Historian’s lecture program and the many other Civil War commemoration events happening in our County this summer,” continued Mr. Diana.
Ms. Bush was appointed County Historian in April 2011. She has more than 20 years of experience in genealogical research, was the Verifying Genealogist for the National
Society Colonial Dames XVII Century, and is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists. “We’re looking forward to hosting Civil War commemoration activities in Orange County during the weekend of August 25 – 26,” said County Historian Bush. “To find out more and for a complete schedule of events county-wide, visit our website pages at www.orangecountygov.com and click on the History and Genealogy button.”