Scientific Farming: Did you know that President James Madison received an education from Princeton University? It was at Princeton, that he focused on modern science and cultivated a desire to invent farming techniques that would  yield a more prosperous product while maintaining land fertility. When he returned to Montpelier, he focused on testing new seeds; he also experimented with inter-planting grain and fruit trees as well as other agricultural improvements. Join us at the James Madison Museum for some fun experimentation with plants! Learn and use the scientific method to plant and grow your own agricultural experiment! The...

James Madison’s Codes and Ciphers U.S. history is rich with secrets and secret codes. There were many reasons why ciphers were developed and used in our history. Learn about this exciting, secretive method of communication, why it was important and develop your own cipher to use with your fiends now! Write you own codes and use them with your friends! Jan. 13, 1:00 PM James Madison Museum Caroline Street Orange, VA Share on...

This event, offered through the Extension Office is open only to 4th grade students who live in Orange County. We have a single “class” size allotted for this tour of 25 students. Taking RSVP on a first come first serve basis. This is a great opportunity! Call Resi at 540-226-9316, RSVP to the event on the Orange Explorers Facebook page, or email editor@orangeexplorers.org to sign up! Share on...

Coming to Orange for  Home Schoolers! When: OCTOBER 27 (times and place to be announced) What is it? National Geographic Channel’s Great Migrations is a seven-part global programming event, three years in the making, that takes viewers around the world on the arduous journeys millions of animals undertake to ensure the survival of their species. Coming this November to National Geographic Channel. First Assembly What’s it like to swim with great white sharks? How do they migrate, hunt, mate, and reproduce? How does a cameraperson get the best shot without risking life and ...

The James Madison Museum is a place you might not notice from the outside.  It’s just a plain brick building on Caroline Street in the town of Orange.  But inside are things you would normally have to drive all the way to the Smithsonian to see.  The museum has a great collection of important artifacts from fourth President James Madison and his wife Dolley (who had a green pet parrot!) along with artifacts from fifth President James Monroe (a good friend of James Madison’s) and twelfth President Zachary Taylor.  Zachary Taylor was the only President (so far) born in Orange County, and he was a cousin of James Madison’s.  When you...

We met at 11 AM at Contrary Creek in Louisa County, Virginia to start another OE adventure! We were accompanied by friends Bob and Sue Copper who learned to pan for gold in Alaska. The Copper’s brought extra gold pans and lots of knowledge to share! We were also accompanied by another friend, Judy Boyle who has been gold panning for years in Arizona. Judy brought some high-tech equipment for the kids to experience. We explored and panned the creek, enjoyed a picnic lunch, and had a great time. While exploring the creek, we ran into a die-hard gold panner who arrived on a 4-wheeler with a trailer loaded with gear. He drove down...

May’s expedition to Morefield Mine was quite a lot of fun! The first edition of the Magazine will have an article on Geology in Virginia showing the importance of those rocks and minerals we dug up at the mine. What we found was lots of mica, Amazonite, garnet, topaz and more! We all came home with lots of little gems! Orange Explorers at Morefield Mine Orange Explorers sluicing at Morefield Mine Orange Explorers sluicing at Morefield Mine Orange Explorers sluicing at Morefield Mine Share on...

We are planning a June expedition to Contrary Creek, off of Route 522 in Louisa, Virginia. Contrary creek is famous for the gold and other mines that surround it. It is a popular creek for gold panning in our area. Meet us on June 15 at 11:00 to explore the creek from a gold panner’s perspective!  Here are some preliminary picts of the creek… Parking off of 522. Contrary Creek, Louisa, VA Rough trail leading down to the creek! Contrary Creek, Louisa, VA Let's find some gold on Contrary Creek, Louisa, VA! Share on...

Visit Montpelier and get a behind the scenes archeologically! When: April 26th 9:30 AM Where: Montpelier What: Program includes: First, a tour of the mansion discussing some of the interior restoration archaeology In the basement we will look at reproductions of some of the artifacts that were found within the house to see what they can tell us. Then, we go outside t0 see the current dig site and talk briefly to some of the archaeologists there. Finally, we will go screen some soil on our own to look for artifacts. Cost: $8/student (For every 10 students, 1 adult can go at the $8 fee. Additional adults are $14) Program ends around...