| APRIL 30, 2011 -- An open house April 30 is just the first of many events that will celebrate 100 years of the Grange in Granby. Founded in 1875 as an organization to support farm families, the Grange was disbanded 15 years later in 1890, after a group purchase of bad seed caused its demise. The Grange started up again in 1926 and has been serving the people of Granby ever since.
The Grange Hall, at 212 North Granby Road, (Rte. 189) across from the First Congregational Church, was built just after the civil war for use as a one-room school house. When one-room schools became obsolete, the Granby Town Hall moved into the building. In 1946 the Grange bought the building from the town. Prior to that, Grange meetings were held in the Cossitt Library basement (which is the children’s room today).
After the Grange bought the building from the town, it moved it off its stone foundation to its present location, about 150 feet south of where it originally stood. Robert Brockett, the groundskeeper, says he still occasionally hits a rock from the old foundation when he’s mowing the lawn. Today, the main hall of the Grange building features beautiful original wood paneling and a stage.
The lower level of the building has a newer look, including a kitchen and dining area. This downstairs area was developed after the move. For many years the Grange Hall was used by the church as its overflow building. Sunday school sessions were held there, as were church meetings, before the expansion of the church building.
Since farming is not as prominent in the local community as it once was, the role of the Grange has changed over the years. On a national level, it still has lobbyists who promote agriculture-related issues. The Grange is a big supporter of agriculture through fairs, and the Granby Grange has its own agricultural fair and chicken barbeque every September. The Grange also focuses on community service events, and regularly sponsors blood drives at the South Church.
The Granby Grange has 72 members, and about half of them have belonged for more than 50 years. As with many granges across the nation, its membership is dwindling and new members are needed. It is a family-oriented fraternal organization with roots in Christianity. Meetings are conducted before an open bible. Patriotism is promoted through flag ceremonies and the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.
Robert Brockett, secretary and chief overseer of the building, hopes that recent improvements made to the interior of the building will make it attractive to people who are looking for a place to hold an event that requires a stage, kitchen and/or dining facilities. Use of the building can be arranged through a donation to the grange. Mr. Brockett also hopes to sponsor a Granby Farms Tour Day this summer which would include a chicken barbeque at the grange, after touring area farms. The open house April 30, from 1 to 4 p.m. will include a piano player, clown, fresh-baked cookies, live chickens and activities for kids. Open houses will be held throughout the year to showcase members’ talents and allow the public to view the building. The Grange has served the community of Granby for 100 years, and hopefully will continue to do so for many years to come.
For more information on the grange, call Robert Brockett at 860-653-6740, or e-mail granby@ctstategrange.org. |
