OTPA Projects
IMPORTANT: Mills Act Fact vs Fiction Open Community Discussion event
What does the Mills Act actually MEAN for Orange — and for the property owners who participate in it? OTPA invites the community to a FREE open and informative discussion designed to separate fact from fiction and help residents better understand how the Mills Act works before the City Council meets the next day to…
OTPA October Preservation Workshop
OTPA’s October Education Event: “Earthquake Brace & Bolt” ProgramJoin us for a special program where we’ll learn from an expert with Nick Martinez Brace & Bolt, how to preserve and protect your home from seismic damage, and explore resources available that may help cover the costs. Open to all! An RSVP is necessary for this exclusive…
2026 Candidate Forum
RSVP to attend and submit a question RSVP to attend and submit a question
OTPA September Preservation Workshop
OTPA “PORCH TALK: Preserving the Places We Gather” A lively community workshop featuring a historic porch (and it’s family), a local architect sharing secrets of porch design and preservation, and a chance for Old Towne Orange residents to share some porch stories! What makes a historic porch special? It’s more than columns, railings, and woodwork…
IMPORTANT NOTICE re: Wed 8/5 Preservation Meeting
Historic Preservation Ordinance Draft & Mills Act Guidelines RELEASED – Your Voice Matters! The City’s draft Historic Preservation Ordinance is now available. This document also includes the organization of a Historic Resources Committee (name still TBD) which will replace the Design Review Committee. Also to be discussed/reviewed are the Mills Act Program Guidelines. Review…
OTPA August Preservation Workshop
OTPA’s “Illuminating Historic Homes” Old California behind the scenes tour! A behind-the-scenes look at how master artisans use traditional metalworking techniques and opalescent glass to craft historically authentic fixtures! Only 20 spots per tour! Claim your free ticket at givebutter.com/OTPAoldCA 🍊OTPA’s “Illuminating Historic Homes” FREE Old California Behind the Scenes tour! This month’s OTPA Education…
OTPA June Preservation Workshop
OTPA’s “Historic Woman’s Club of Orange” Presentation and Tour Explore this piece of 1924 history with a private tour of the historic Orange Woman’s Club! Claim your free ticket at givebutter.com/OTPAwomansclub 🍊OTPA’s “Historic Woman’s Club of Orange” FREE historic presentation and tour! This month’s OTPA Education workshop will feature the Woman’s Club of Orange. Back in…
OTPA & OCHS National Historic Marker Day
🍊In a collaborative project with the Orange Community Historical Society, OTPA celebrates “National Historic Marker Day” with a FREE Community event! Join us as communities all across the country are celebrating the history of their cities by locating and cleaning markers. Enjoy a fun morning with demonstrations, marker cleaning education, scavenger hunts & more! Bring…
OTPA March Preservation Workshop
Step back in time and learn a hands-on skill with a historically accurate live demo on crafting wooden window screens with bronze materials! Only 20 spots available, claim your free ticket at givebutter.com/OTPAwindows26 🍊OTPA’s “Crafting Wooden Window Screens” FREE live hands-on demo! Step back in time and learn a hands-on skill with a historically accurate live…
MILLS ACT LETTERS – January 2026 UPDATE
January 2026 Update We are sharing the following updates regarding the City of Orange’s administration of the Mills Act Program: 1. Mills Act applications remain on hold.As of January 2026, the City has not provided an update on when new Mills Act applications may resume. OTPA continues to monitor this issue closely and will share…
OTPA February Preservation Workshop
Join OTPA and longtime Old Towne Orange resident, acclaimed author James Blaylock for an evening highlighting his books and and writing insights. LIMITED TICKETS can be found at givebutter.com/OTPAfeb 🍊OTPA’s “Heart of the City: Writing Close to Home in Old Towne Orange” James Blaylock, acclaimed author, a pioneer of the steampunk genre, and a longtime…
OTPA January Preservation Workshop
🍊OTPA’s “Historic on the outside, Quantum on the inside: the Lydia D. Killefer School tour” OTPA kicks off our 2026 education series with a tour and visit inside the historic Killefer School! Reserve your spot to come inside the school and learn the historic significance that the Killefer school played in being one of…
Holiday Decorating Contest 2025
OTPA 2025 Holiday Decorating Contest ! Judging occurred on Sunday, December 14th, 2025! OTPA’s Holiday Decorating Contest winners are selected from properties within the Old Towne Orange Historic District. While we realize that there are wonderfully decorated homes throughout the City of Orange — we have limited resources in terms of time and judges —…
OTPA November Preservation Workshop
🍊OTPA “Behind the Scenes at the American Legion Post 132” This post dates back to 1928 as the former home of the Orange Armory of the National Guard. Join this tour, led by the Historian of the Post, as he shares fascinating facts and lots of details about the history of this historic building and…
Urgent Call to Action: Protect our City’s Historic Resources!
We URGENTLY need your support, in person on Tuesday, October 28th at 6:00PM at the Orange City Council meeting, and/or with an eComment to the City. Attend the Council Meeting in person with us on Oct 28 —at City Hall, 300 East Chapman. Your presence matters even if you don’t speak! To submit an online e-comment, go to: 1. cityoforange.org 2. Click on…
Halloween Decorating Contest 2025
OTPA 2025 Halloween Decorating Contest ! Judging occurred on October 18th, 2025! THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE HALLOWEEN ENTHUSIASTS THAT DECORATE EACH YEAR! Visit our past Contest pages for design inspiration and to see previous Winners! otpa.org/halloween Halloween crept up on Old Towne Orange, and the Old Towne Preservation Association brought back our 8th Annual…
OTPA October Preservation Workshop
⛲️🍊Sears Model Homes – the famous “houses by mail”! Join Justin Ladd local Realtor “Historic Homes OC” for a talk on the famous “houses by mail” that transformed homeownership in the early 1900s. You’ll learn about their unique designs and explore examples of these homes, here in California. It’s a chance to step back in…
OTPA September Preservation Workshop
⛲️🍊Our next FREE community workshop is here! The Wonders of Victorian Wallpaper! Not just a decorative touch, wallpaper in the Victorian era was a mirror of class, taste, technology, and values. This month’s OTPA FREE education workshop meets in the backyard of a Victorian home in Old Towne. Discover how Victorian wallpaper told stories of…