Chris Orange, property manager at Lowell's Buckley Homestead, began his career shortly after graduating from Ball State University with a degree in history.
He first worked at Oak Ridge Prairie in Griffith for two years before spending 12 years at Grand Kankakee Marsh County Park in Hebron.
His dedication and experience led him to his current role at Buckley Homestead, where he continues to advance in his career.
“Lowell's Buckley Homestead is a 505-acre living farm in southern Lake County, representing important periods from the 1850s and the early 1900s,” said Orange. "The majority of our park functions as a representation of a dairy farm. As a living history farm, it's more like an outdoor museum where visitors can interact with the animals and experience farm life, rather than just observing exhibits. The technical term is 'open-air museum.' We have a lot of artifacts and offer neat programs, but we also have hiking trails and special programs throughout the year."
Buckley Homestead has been a significant part of Orange's life. Having spent much of his childhood at the park, he now dedicates a great deal of his time to managing and maintaining the park.
"My family's farm was right next door," said Orange. "I farmed the land right beside Buckley Homestead and knew the Buckley family before they owned the property. I've been coming here since I was a kid, so when the opportunity came up, it felt like a perfect fit. It lets me do things I enjoy such as working with livestock. The homestead is a great place for my kids to grow up and it’s a pretty exciting place to work."
Orange’s responsibilities at Buckley Homestead include maintaining the park’s appearance and ensuring the well-being of its animals. He focuses on keeping the animals in a natural environment so they can behave comfortably around visitors.
"The most important thing with livestock care, especially when you have animals on the property, is that it's a 365-day commitment," said Orange. "You have to make sure they have food, water, and are properly cared for, especially when you're in the public eye. You need to ensure they're healthy and that you're accurately representing what these animals were, including breed-specific details."
At first, Orange relied heavily on hands-on experience to deepen his knowledge and skills in park management. However, he also now takes the time to read and stay updated on the latest information relevant to his job.
"We have a lot of resources," said Orange. "It comes from first-hand accounts, reading books, and working with knowledgeable staff. For example, I have a really good gardener who brings a wealth of knowledge. We also have a diverse team here, each with their skills, and together, they make this park a fun and engaging place."
When he's not at the park, Orange enjoys traveling with his family and exploring wildlife and nature. He often takes mental notes of the beautiful landscapes they visit, finding inspiration in their surroundings.
"I enjoy pretty much anything outdoors, especially traveling and visiting farms," said Orange. "They're all over the country, from national parks to county and local parks. For instance, I'm heading down to Conner Prairie this weekend. Over the summer, I was at Glacier National Park and explored some open-air museums and living history sites there."
Orange holds deep admiration and love for his wife, who serves as his daily source of inspiration. Her support motivates him to keep pushing forward in both his personal and professional life.
"I've been married to my lovely wife Tracy for about 14 years," said Orange. "She's a teacher, and we have two active boys who are involved in a lot of sports. Tracy teaches social studies, so we both share a passion for education and learning."
Facilities and programming can be booked for groups of 20 or more. Orange and the Buckley Homestead team are always ready to welcome visitors.
"We try to keep a lot of our programs low-cost or free so that everyone has the chance to participate when they come out," said Orange. "Especially this time of year, there are so many options for recreation in the fall."
Lowell's Buckley Homestead is located at 3606 Belshaw Road and is open year-round from 7 a.m. to sunset with free admission. For more information, call 219-696-0769, visit online at lakecountyparks.com, or check out the farm's Facebook page at facebook.com/BuckleyHomesteadCountyPark.