Orange and District Historical Society's Elizabeth Griffin will guide the public on a history lesson through the Orange City General Cemetery.

Miss Griffin said there's a lot of history buried beneath the ground out there.

"And I'm having a tremendous amount of fun uncovering it," she said.

From the early pioneers and orchardists to which Orange streets owe their names - including the Gartrells, Moads and Frosts - Miss Griffin will share the stories of the families who shaped the city

"The Frosts were responsible for bringing the hospital here in the 1860 and they also owned a general store in Lucknow which they sold to the Daltons," she said.

"I'm interested in the little people too. They may not have been on the council or owned any shops. The ordinary Jo Bloggs on the street."

The walk will take place as part of the history society's 70^th anniversary celebrations this month.

As part of the celebration, Lisa Murray and Kylie Winkworth will each give a presentations in the West Room at the Orange Regional Gallery on Saturday.

Dr Murray's talk Going out in Style: the Hidden Meaning of Headstones will introduce the styles displayed in Australian cemetery memorials, as well as the craftsmen responsible for made them.

"An essential part of the Australian cemetery is the grave marker or tombstone," said Dr Murray.

"The design of a memorial was chosen by individuals as a personal, yet public, expression of their religious beliefs, values, and social aspirations."

Ms Winkworth was born in Orange and has spent 30 years working on heritage places. Her talk is called The Future of Collecting in Regional and Community Museums.

The talks will take place from 12.30pm on Saturday.

Participants for the guided walk should meet at the cemetery at 2pm on Sunday.

Participation to both is a gold coin donation.