WILLIAMSBURG – Once very close to being sold last summer, the iconic Grange building which stands between the Williamsburg General Store and the Williamsburg Historical Society, is no longer for sale, thanks to enthusiastic new Grange members and the support of the local community.
“It is very exciting,” longtime Grange member Candace Smith said, noting that the organization had been predominantly composed of seniors before the addition of the new members. That had limited the amount of volunteer work that could be done to maintain the building.
With the building in need of repair and few hands to do the work or raise money for the renovations, the Grange was looking to sell it to a community group, organization or cooperative that it hoped would continue to serve the needs of the town.
“Last summer, the word on the street was that the Grange was up for sale. So a lot of concerned citizens got together with members of the Grange and decided the best way to save the building was to join the Grange,” said Tom Adams, director and owner of Reelife Documentary Productions, at 29 South St.
According to Smith, the Grange acquired 16 new members who have become active on several committees for fundraising, programs, building use and maintenance.
“So, we are not selling. We will be refurbishing the building and renting it out as much as possible,” Smith said.
The Grange building will be available for weddings, birthdays, dance and theater groups, and the organization will continue to host agricultural events and workshops.
Adams said that the revitalization of interest in the Grange is satisfying and will hopefully be a boon to the community.
“We are the new generation coming in that is interested in the same ideas and values of the original Grange,” Adams said.
Grange halls traditionally served as both a meeting place and a social hub of the community.
Formed in 1867, the Grange was designed to benefit farming families through advocating for a variety of rural and agricultural issues.
Along with supporting agricultural endeavors, the Williamsburg Grange has also made donations to schools, food banks, and holiday funds, and has worked with the local Councils on Aging, the Red Cross Bloodmobile and farmers markets.
Smith said that one of the better fundraising efforts has been the Williamsburg Grange Winter Music Café series, which she estimates made roughly $1,500 from four concerts this winter.
Adams, who coordinates the music café, said that it “has been very successful in bringing people out to listen to music, to visit with each other, and help raise the funds for the renovation of the building.”
This Friday will be the last concert in the series and will feature The Rambling Kind, a high-energy bluegrass and country music band.
“They are a great band with beautiful harmonies and fiddle tunes that make for a foot stompin’ good time,” Adams said.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with an open mic from 7 to 8 p.m. The concert begins at 8 p.m. There is a $7 suggested donation at the door. This event is made possible in part by Florence Bank.
Adams said that there is a possibility that there may be concerts at the Grange in the spring as well.
Adams is also the coordinator of a separate annual eight-week long musical event called the Angel Park Summer Music Series which begins in July.
For more information on the Grange and it’s activities call Candace Smith at 268-3157 or visit its Facebook page facebook.com/williamsburg.grange.
Fran Ryan can be reached at Fryan.gazette@gmail.com.