Orleans County was incorporated on April 15, 1825 and will be celebrating its Bicentennial throughout 2025. 

A Bicentennial Committee has been meeting to brainstorm and implement a variety of ways to commemorate this historic anniversary. It is chaired by the Orleans County Historian, Catherine Cooper with representatives from the community including village and county government, museums, Cornell Cooperative Extension, historians, local media and Tourism. 

The committee chose the Ox to be the official mascot of the Orleans County Bicentennial.  Oxen were critical for the fledgling county, pulling wagons across rough terrain, helping to clear trees, dig the Erie Canal and provide the muscle for taming the land. Read more on the history of the ox in Orleans County.

Projects being implemented to commemorate the Orleans County Bicentennial are:

• A commemorative poster
• Bicentennial Quilt
• Oxen of Orleans County Public Art Trail. 

We are encouraging the community organizations to jump on the "Oxen of Orleans County" Public Art project and populate Orleans County with an artistic & historic oxen trail. Read more on this effort >>>

View Bicentennial related events at the bottom of this page.

Preparations underway for the Orleans County Bicentennial Ceremony, April 15, 2025

The Bicentennial Committee is making plans to commemorate Orleans County's bicentennial on April 15, 2025 at the county courthouse. At noon, the courthouse bells will chime for 60 seconds followed by a formal ceremony and proclamations. Because the courthouse has a limited seating capacity, this will be by invitation only. Those interested in attending, please complete this form to be put on a waiting list.