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Morey Memorial Bridge, Orford, New Hampshire

ORFORD

New Hampshire · Est. 1761
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First called "Number Seven" in a line of Connecticut River fort towns, Orford was incorporated in 1761 by Governor Benning Wentworth and named for Robert Walpole, Earl of Orford, who was the first prime minister of Great Britain. Landmarks include Orford Street Historic District, Morey Memorial Bridge and Moses Kent House. Orford is the birthplace of Gilman Marston, Union United States Army general, politician.

The Orford Collection

Made for Orford. Printed to order.

Every piece is drawn from Orford's own map data and historic archives, then printed and shipped from the USA when you order. No two towns look alike.

Orford Street Map Poster · Linen

Orford Street Map Poster · Linen

Every road in town, on archival matte paper

from $34
Orford Street Map Poster · Midnight

Orford Street Map Poster · Midnight

The same map, in navy and silver

from $34
Orford Landmarks Photo Poster

Orford Landmarks Photo Poster

Nine local landmarks, archival matte

from $35
Orford History Timeline Poster

Orford History Timeline Poster

The town's story in dates, from its own records, for home or classroom

from $39
Orford Map Placemat

Orford Map Placemat

Map of local landmarks, washable fabric

$25
Orford Varsity Crewneck

Orford Varsity Crewneck

Heavy-blend fleece, street map printed on the back

from $48
Orford Est. Tee

Orford Est. Tee

Soft Bella+Canvas jersey

from $28
Orford Town Line Mug

Orford Town Line Mug

Glossy ceramic, dishwasher safe

from $19
Orford Hometown Ornament

Orford Hometown Ornament

Ceramic keepsake, gold ribbon

$18
Orford Garden Flag

Orford Garden Flag

Weatherproof, for the front walk

$26
Orford Welcome Doormat

Orford Welcome Doormat

24″×16″, printed coir-look fibers, rubber back

$45
Orford Hometown Wood Sign

Orford Hometown Wood Sign

12″×12″ printed wood, ready to hang

$39
Orford Map Throw Pillow

Orford Map Throw Pillow

Soft-touch, zip cover

$36
Orford Market Tote

Orford Market Tote

Sturdy all-over-print tote

$32
Orford Cork Coaster

Orford Cork Coaster

Glossy top, cork back

$12
Orford Street Map Throw Blanket

Orford Street Map Throw Blanket

Soft fleece, 50″×60″

from $64
Orford Est. Tumbler

Orford Est. Tumbler

20 oz, double-wall stainless

$40
Orford Orford Street Historic District Landmark Print

Orford Orford Street Historic District Landmark Print

Archival matte print of a local landmark, credited to its photographer

from $29
Orford Morey Memorial Bridge Landmark Print

Orford Morey Memorial Bridge Landmark Print

Archival matte print of a local landmark, credited to its photographer

from $29
Orford Moses Kent House Landmark Print

Orford Moses Kent House Landmark Print

Archival matte print of a local landmark, credited to its photographer

from $29
Orford Orford-Fairlee Covered Bridge Landmark Print

Orford Orford-Fairlee Covered Bridge Landmark Print

Archival matte print of a local landmark, credited to its photographer

from $29
Orford Orford Street Historic District Postcard

Orford Orford Street Historic District Postcard

6″×4″ postcard, glossy front

$6
Orford Morey Memorial Bridge Postcard

Orford Morey Memorial Bridge Postcard

6″×4″ postcard, glossy front

$6
Orford Moses Kent House Postcard

Orford Moses Kent House Postcard

6″×4″ postcard, glossy front

$6
Orford Orford-Fairlee Covered Bridge Postcard

Orford Orford-Fairlee Covered Bridge Postcard

6″×4″ postcard, glossy front

$6
Orford Wheeler House Archive Print

Orford Wheeler House Archive Print

From the Library of Congress collections: a historic survey drawing or photograph of the town

from $39
Orford Orford Congregational Church, Main Street Archive Print

Orford Orford Congregational Church, Main Street Archive Print

From the Library of Congress collections: a historic survey drawing or photograph of the town

from $39
Orford Covered Bridge, Spanning Connecticut River Archive Print

Orford Covered Bridge, Spanning Connecticut River Archive Print

From the Library of Congress collections: a historic survey drawing or photograph of the town

from $39
Hometown roll

Born in Orford

On the National Register

Historic places

Population 2010: 1,237 → 2020: 1,237

From Wikidata (CC0).

Since 1761

A short history of Orford

First called "Number Seven" in a line of Connecticut River fort towns, Orford was incorporated in 1761 by Governor Benning Wentworth and named for Robert Walpole, Earl of Orford, who was the first prime minister of Great Britain. The town was settled in 1765 by Daniel Cross and wife from Lebanon, Connecticut. By 1859, it had 1,406 inhabitants, most involved in agriculture. There was a large tannery, a chair factory, ten sawmills, a starch factory, a gristmill, a sash, blind and door factory, and two boot and shoe factories.

An original grantee was General Israel Morey, whose son Samuel Morey discovered a way to separate hydrogen from oxygen in water, making possible the first marine steam engine. He recognized the potential of steam power after working at his father's ferry. In 1793, on the river at Orford, he was first to demonstrate the use of a paddlewheel to propel a steam boat.

Author Washington Irving visited Orford in 1832 and is quoted as saying, "In all my travels in this country and in Europe, I have seen no village more beautiful than this. It is a charming place—nature has done her utmost here." Of the famous sequence of seven early homes built on The Ridge, Dartmouth Professor of Architecture Hugh Morrison said, "As a row and counting the setting, this is the finest group of Federal-style houses in the United States." Built between 1773 and 1839, the dwellings show the influence of architect Asher Benjamin.

Adapted (trimmed) from the Wikipedia article Orford, New Hampshire, revision 1378604231 by its contributors, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

For local organizations

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We share a part of every Orford sale with local partners, and we'd love to print from your collection. Old photographs, maps and postcards make the best keepsakes.

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