Within 300 feet of the corner of Main and Whitman Street, a short distance from the Norway Museum and Historical Society, is the Norway Grange Hall. This stately building dates from 1909 but was not the original home of the fraternal order.

The organizational meeting took place at the school house at the foot of Norway Lake. The date was October 24, 1874. Elected to lead the Grange, with the title of Master, was C. W. Ryerson. All other officer positions were filled and the Grange met weekly during the establishment period.

As membership grew a larger facility was needed and Freeman Hall, on the Crockett Ridge Road and the property of member R. S. Freeman, became the next venue. Membership continued to grow and, when in 1876 there were more than 200 patrons (members), the decision was made to buy a lot and construct a building. The property was at the corner of Main and Bridge Streets. Already on the lot was a commercial building which would continue to be rented. The new hall was a three-story building which, until recently, has been the home of the Advertiser-Democrat.

In 1904 a fund was started to purchase the lot where the hall stands today. Money was raised through dances and other public events to pay for the property ($550). Further financing was arranged and the current building was completed in time for the first meeting in December 1909. The builder was Russell Bros. of Norway; plumbing was installed by L. M. Longley; and, the electric lighting was contracted with the Norway & Paris Street Railway, the local electricity provider. The building has three stories, a basement, and a piazza (the best word of all for a porch). A horse stable was added behind the building in 1922.

This hall saw its share of public suppers, dances, and local talent shows. One famous performer at the dances was Norway’s own fiddler, Mellie Dunham. Mellie was a snowshoe maker by trade and a musician by avocation. His notoriety was furthered when he was “discovered” by auto giant Henry Ford who promoted nation-wide tours for Mellie.

During the Flu Pandemic of 1917-18 the Grange Hall was used as an infirmary because, at that time, there was no hospital in town.

A number of community organizations currently use the hall for public activities and fund raisers. Regular Grange meetings are held in the hall during which business is conducted and programs, both informative and entertaining, are presented to the membership. Norway Grange supports efforts that benefit the local community. These services include community meals, clothing, non-profits, scholarships, House in the Woods (combat veterans’ retreat), live theater, dances, etc.

Okay, what is the Grange and what does it do? An often-asked question. The Grange continues as a fraternal organization with men and women participating and holding office. The National Grange website tells us that the Grange is “a family and community organization with its roots in agriculture.”

The history of the Grange goes back to the years following the Civil War. Huge numbers of people were migrating westward. Large corporations – railroads, telegraph, oil and steel -were pretty much free to operate any way they chose to benefit themselves. The Grange provided a means of nonpartisan legislative advocacy at the state and national levels in support of the settlers. Over the years the Grange has supported rural mail delivery, expansion of electricity, consistency of railroad rates and social reform such as voting rights for women as well as other major issues.

The Grange organization continues to use its legislative influence to protect the livelihood of farmers and ranchers, to expand broadband access in rural areas, health care accessibility, and quality of rural schools to list a few of its concerns.

The next time you drive down Whitman Street take a look at the big white and green building with the sign that says Norway Grange No. 45, it’s part of our history.

The Norway Museum and Historical Society is now open to the public on Tuesday from 1 – 4 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Feel free to come in and tour the exhibits or conduct research of a local nature.

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