Part of Orangeville's historic charm, in the form of its founder, is front and centre on Broadway. The 7.5-foot , 2,700-pound sculpture of Orange Lawrence was put in place, via crane, September 2nd, by sculptors Donna Pascoe and Peter Turrell. The sculptors developed a technique to use magnesium phosphate cement for art casting. The sculpture also contains stainless steel re-bar and 10 percent non-recyclable glass. The sculpture, paid through donations, stands on a base and towers above street level to welcome those coming into Town. The sculpture depicts the Town's founder with his coat over his left shoulder, sleeves rolled up, and working plans in hand, symbolically ready to build his mill on Mill Street.
A time capsule, containing the Lawrence family tree and an excerpt from family historian Doug Kirkwood's Family Reunion book, has been placed in the base of the sculpture.
Descendants of Orange Lawrence will hold their 40th consecutive reunion on October 14. Usually held in Milton, Ontario, the reunion will be held in Orangeville this year -- commencing with a ceremony at the statue at 1 p.m. on October 14.
History of Orange Lawrence (provided by the Dufferin County Museum & Archives):
- Orange Lawrence was born in Connecticut, USA in 1796, and was the youngest of nine children. His parents Jonathon and Tryphena Powers Lawrence moved their family to Canada around 1800.
- Coming from a family of United Loyalists, Orange Lawrence became a captain in the militia during the Mackenzie Rebellion in 1837.
- Orange Lawrence bought a farm near Oakville, in Halton Co. in 1823 and moved to Orangeville around 1845, when he was given land from the crown in 1844
- He was appointed postmaster in 1847.
- Shortly after coming to Orangeville, which was at that time known at Grigg's Mills, Lawrence laid out the streets in the southern part of the town.
- He lived in the southeastern section for a while, but later moved to the property on the corner of York and John Street.
- He married Miss Sarah House of Beamsville and they had a family of five girls and three boys. Sarah Street was named after Lawrence's wife.
- Orange Lawrence built a sawmill, a gristmill, the community's first hotel and first store where he opened the first post office.
- Their daughter Rhoda, married John W. Reid and inherited the family home in 1858. She in turn willed it to her daughters
- There are many tales surrounding the naming of the Town, but the favourite tale states that on the day of the Town's baptism, a great number of people were gathered around Lawrence's new mill site, where the framework was already up. Mr. Corbett hung a bottle of whiskey from the highest plate (as it was custom), and stated "A good frame deserves a good name. What shall we call it?" An Irish lady, Mrs. Newton shouted "call it Orangeville". And so began its name
- Orange Lawrence's construction can still be seen around Town today, one of the oldest works being the Greystones Restaurant, which at the time of its construction was known as Graham's Tavern.
Orange Lawrence died on December 15, 1861 in his 66th year. His personal sacrifices and tireless energy helped to build the community and thriving village.
The artists
Ms. Pascoe and Mr. Turrell are Canadian artists whose works include sculpture, painting and photography. They like to combine both function and beauty in their projects, including sculptures of wood, stone or bronze, and their architecture. Ms. Pascoe has spent 30 years in the architectural design business. They founded the Millennium Institution - to promote and develop sustainable autonomous housing designs and environmental living, and both of them have a passionate interest in the preservation of historical monuments and buildings. Read More
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