Texas: Orange (Southeast Texas)

Located on the Sabine River near the Louisiana border, Orange is part of the Beaumont and Port Arthur Metropolitan Area and about 113 miles from Houston.  Although a small town, there are several cultural attractions that are a must see!


The Stark Museum of Art showcases a wonderful collection of 19th- and 20th-century Western American art and artifacts.  Focusing on the land, people and wildlife of the American West, the Museum features works by John James Audubon, Thomas Moran, Albert Bierstadt, Paul Kane and John Mix Stanley. 

 

The works we saw reflected our fabulous adventures across the U.S.  Paintings by Bierstadt, Twachtman and Moran brought back wonderful memories of our trips to Yosemite, Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon.

Yosemite Valley by Albert Bierstadt

Edge of the Emerald Pool, Yellowstone

by John Henry Twachtman

Mojave Wall by Thomas Moran

Our visits of various First Nations dwellings also came to mind as we viewed the exhibition of Native American art.

A’hote Kachina, Hopi

Acorn Harvest, Apache

We relived our adventures of the west through these lovely pieces:

The Faithful Ponies by Oscar Edmund Berninghaus

“Bullets Kicked Up the Dust” by Frederic Remington

An added treat at the Stark Museum are the beautiful Royal Worcester porcelain birds designed by Dorothy Doughty:

Yellow-Headed Blackbirds and Spiderwort

by Dorothy Doughty

Racquet-Tailed Hummingbirds with Hibiscus

by Dorothy Doughty

The W. H. Stark House is a restored 1894 Victorian home.  It features several architectural styles as noted by the many gables and it’s windowed turret. The Stark House was the home of Miriam Lutcher and W.H. Stark and their son H.J. Lutcher Stark.  The son, Lutcher, attended the University of Texas at Austin and is credited with naming the University’s mascot – the Longhorns.

First Floor

Second Floor

The Shangri La Botanical Gardens & Nature Center was created by H.J. Lutcher Stark.  The gardens feature a Children’s Garden, Garden Rooms, Pond of  the Blue Moon, and a Heronry Blind.  At the Heronry Blind you will see turtles and all types of birds.  We really got lucky on this particular visit!

 

 

The Children's Garden is fun for everyone to explore: 

Bottle Tree

 

 

And there are various Garden "Rooms" that feature beautiful sculptural designs like this one: 

The spring is alive with azaleas (and other beautiful flowers) ...

 

 

 

 

 

and the fall highlights fall flowers amidst a fun Scarecrow Festival! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The First Presbyterian Church is a strong example of the classic Greek Revival architecture. Completed in 1912, it’s highlight is an opalescent glass dome, the only one of its kind in the United States. Tours are available if you plan ahead.

Since it’s difficult to enjoy all of these wonderful activities in one day, you may want to consider staying a night.  And if you do, plan to attend a stage performance!  The Lutcher Theater is a performing arts facility owned by the Nelda C. and H. J. Lutcher Stark Foundation. 

Join me next month to explore the folk art in Houston, Texas!
See you again on February 22nd!