MAY 2008 --
For all her work to preserve a cornerstone of the town's history, the Oxford Grange has accorded Dorothy DeBisschop one of its highest honors. DeBisschop was recently awarded the Grange's Community Citizen Award for her work in helping to save and restore the Josiah Twitchell Homestead.
DeBisschop, a vice president of the Oxford Historical Society, led the charge to preserve the Twitchell House, one of the oldest-standing buildings in town. Built in 1755, it was part of a prominent farm back when Oxford was a largely agrarian community.
The society spent more than $75,000 to move the home from Christian Street to Towner Lane. The historical society is refurbishing the homestead with professional and volunteer help, and plans to make it into a town museum.
"It seemed she was the initiator and she bird-dogged the whole thing," said Philip Rowland, a spokesman for the Oxford Grange. "She got help from various businesses and got a lot of volunteers there."
DeBisschop, who also serves as a town historian, said the award should be shared by other members of the historical society who worked hard to keep the home from being torn down. DeBisschop said plenty of residents in town appreciate history and want to preserve long-lasting structures.
"It says to me that Oxford people can do anything they want to do for the benefit of the community," she said. "People are very generous with their time and their resources and that's what made it a success."
The award, which has not been handed out every year, is justa way of saying thanks, Rowland said. "It's not a huge thing, but it's honor. She has very much to be proud of," Rowland said. The historical society is having a well dug and plumbing lines installed in the Twitchell house. DeBisschop plans to get a certificate of occupancy in September, so it may house a live-in caretaker.
