ORANGE PARK – The Historical Society of Orange Park has big plans for the new year.

The nonprofit is in the process of making plans for Carrie Clarke Day, which is set to take place in March. The event goes on to honor Carrie Clarke, an influential resident that lived in the town during the 1900s.

“The event is done to honor Carrie Clarke. She is a kind and generous woman, who, along with her husband, served the community in many ways, offering her home for gatherings that helped launch many groups in town. The community has always been very supportive of this event,” said Cynthia Cheatwood, president of the historical society.

However, due to the popularity of the recently-renovated Clarke House Park Playground that reopened in September 2021, this year’s rendition won’t be as large as it has been in past years.

“Due to the popularity of the new playground in Clarke Park, we have scaled this event back down a bit. Parking is a concern,” she said.

The nonprofit still is dedicated to preserving town history and will still offer tours of the House and put on family-fun activities for all ages. The activities will be hosted around the perimeter of the home during the special day that is only two months away.

With servicemen and servicewomen being a large part of the fabric woven into the patriotic, family-oriented culture fostered within the town, replacing the pavers with new ones at the Veterans Memorial at 1040 Kingsley Ave. will be a major focal point for the nonprofit this year.

Mike and Carolyn Day, who are board members of the society, have been dedicated to the process of replacing the brick pavers since June. The names engraved on the former pavers, which date back 10 years, have been fading and must be replaced.

“It’s all (Mike) has been thinking about since June. This is a real labor of love, and he hasn’t stopped since then,” Cheatwood said.

Cheatwood said those in the community that would like to order an engraved paver for family members or friends will have the flexibility to order several if they so choose. To access the order form and online store to make a purchase, please visit the Veterans Memorial tab at OPHistory.org.

“This is a huge undertaking that has taken several months to accomplish. We are very grateful to the donors who have helped us and are very, very excited to see how great the memorial looks now. Nothing but the best is the standard for our veterans,” she said.

The developments are just the beginning for the group that’s overtly dedicated to preserving the town’s rich and unique history.

Society members will host open house opportunities at Clarke House on the second Sunday of the month from 2-4 p.m.

“These events are better for conversations than our bigger events. A personal tour allows for more discussion,” she said.

But that’s not all.

Society members will continue to provide four annual presentations at the Orange Park Public Library.

Next month, board member Van Hogan will tell the story of the Patriots’ Rebellion, which bears the nickname of “the other War of 1812.”

“This war was the reason Zephaniah Kingsley left our area and moved to Ft. George Island,” Cheatwood said.

In May, the clock will be turned back to the 1960s at the library when Eugene Nix will share his recollection of growing up in the town and reminiscing about the Orange Park Athletic Association.

Other topics will be added to the schedule later during the year.

As part of their outreach, the nonprofit will also participate in the town’s KidsFest. Toys will be shared and stories told by native parents and grandparents from the town will paint the picture of the past.

When the leaves change in the fall, the historical society will be busy once again with the Fall Festival and Hometown Holiday at Town Hall.

In October, the group will lead carefully-guided tours of the historic Magnolia Cemetery, where they will introduce visitors to the pioneering founders, noted residents, and important actors across the beautiful, oak tree-lined cemetery.

The biggest day of the year for the historical society will be Veterans Day.

The ever-important holiday honors dedicated servicemen and women, and it includes an essay contest for local students, who will be asked to write about veterans and their contributions, followed by a ceremony held at Veterans Memorial.

“This year will be special since all of the faded pavers are replaced,” she said.

To find out more about the Historical Society of Orange Park, visit the Historical Society of Orange Park on Facebook.