Grange Going Strong
May 2024
Linda Hamilton
Charlotte Grange is one of 2,000 community (town or multi-town) Granges across 41 states, including 18 in Vermont. Total membership is currently about 80,000 members. The National Grange organization which we are all a part of was established in 1867 to strengthen and advocate for rural farming communities. Grange quickly became influential and was instrumental in establishing landmark federal programs such as the Cooperative Extension Service, the Farm Credit system and Rural Free Delivery of mail. Grange has continued to advocate effectively for many more issues including universal suffrage, railroad regulations, accessible farm loans, and food/nutrition and agriculture support through the federal Farm Bill.
That larger influence is very important, but Grange’s core is a strong local focus. It is a member-led grassroots organization whose work is to help address local needs and issues, and in the process give members opportunities to learn and grow as citizens and leaders. It remains rooted in agriculture and support of farm families, but is active in a range of rural, suburban and even urban communities. (We all eat and rely on the people who grow and raise our food!) Promotion of civic engagement and creative arts, educational programs especially around food/agriculture issues and community resilience, service projects, social interaction/networking are primary ways Charlotte and other local Granges serve their communities. We enjoy working together and like to have fun, which is probably as nourishing as the good food we regularly share!
After Charlotte Grange was established in 1908, it quickly became locally important for mutual support, cooperative activities and social networking among individuals and families. By 1940, there were 200 members (about 1 in every 5 residents). In 1958, when the former Lyceum Schoolhouse on Spear Street in East Charlotte Village was available for sale Charlotte Grange was able to purchase that historic building to use as their home base and as a community resource.
Unfortunately, over the next 50 years membership slowly but surely dwindled due both to members aging out and the rise of many other organizations and activities competing for people’s time. Then in the period 2010-2020 a handful of new members joined with a determination to keep this worthy institution alive through expanded programs and activities. They also recognized the significant historic and future value of the little Grange Hall and its need for special care and stewardship. It is still sturdy, despite having been built in 1870 and used as a district schoolhouse for 80 years prior to Grange ownership. As Lyceum Schoolhouse it had already served generations of schoolchildren and their families before becoming Grange’s home 65 years ago.
That infusion of new energetic members has slowly but surely attracted even more fresh energy. We now have 36 members, working through several active committees organizing programs and events and looking after the building. We have created a partner 501(c)3 organization called Friends of Lyceum Schoolhouse with the goal to fundraise for significant upgrades to the building to make it more accessible and available for a variety of uses.
Our strength is growing. We look forward to increased activity in 2024 now that COVID restrictions have been lifted, and the Grange Hall has a new furnace (thanks to generous community donors!). Members meet monthly on the third Tuesday evening, with a business meeting or pot luck supper in alternating months. Grange-curious residents of Charlotte and neighboring towns are welcome!
Our website charlottegrange.org has background and membership information and upcoming public events calendar; also ways to donate financially either to Grange programs and operating expenses, or to Friends of Lyceum School specifically for maintenance and upgrading of the historic Grange Hall. Through the website you can also sign up for our monthly electronic newsletter which goes to members plus those who support Grange by staying informed and helping out with activities as they can.
We just completed another successful spring clothing drive specifically for children of Charlotte Food Shelf families, and are preparing for the Memorial Day honoring of veterans with placing of flags on graves of those buried in Charlotte.
Our March on-line auction featuring Charlotte businesses and makers was not only fun but with more than 100 offerings from businesses and individuals and more than 150 winning bidders, we raised enough to meet our goal of covering operating expenses for the next two years!
Our Charlotte Walks program has returned with the warmer weather, with monthly outings to explore Charlotte’s accessible public trails and the opportunity to chat with other Charlotters along the way.
And thanks to the generosity of local sponsors, in June and July our popular Grange on the Green series of family-friendly free concerts will return to Town Green, featuring some of the many talented musicians in this area. Dates and performers are available on our event calendar.
Please join in any of our programs and events. And please consider joining our team by becoming a member so we can offer even more! That’s how we’ll continue to grow and contribute to the mutual support and resilience of our community.