| Grange Movement |
Article Index for Grange |
Website Links For National Grange |
Information AboutGrange Movement |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT THE NATIONAL GRANGE OF THE ORDER OF PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY | |
| agriculture organizations | |
| economic history of the united states | |
| fraternal and service organizations | |
| history of the united states 1865–1918 | |
|
The National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry, also simply styled '''the Grange,''' is a fraternal organization for American farmers that encouraged farm families to band together for their common economic and political good. Founded in 1867 after the Civil War , it is the oldest surviving agricultural organization in America, though now much diminished from the over one million members it had in its peak in the 1890s through the 1950s. In addition to serving as a center for many farming communities, the Grange was an effective Special Interest Group for farmers and their agendas, including fighting railroad monopolies and pushing for rural mail deliveries. Indeed, the word "grange" itself comes from a Latin word for grain, and is related to a "granary" or, more generically, a farm. In 2005, the Grange had a membership of 300,000 with organizations in 3,600 communities in 37 states. They occupy a building in downtown Washington, D.C. , an 11-story building they had built in 1960. Many small rural communities in the United States still have a "Grange Hall" standing on Main Street. HISTORY There were seven co-founders of the Grange: Oliver Hudson Kelley , William Saunders , Francis M. McDowell , John Trimble , Aaron B. Grosh , John R. Thompson , and William M. Ireland . In 1865 President Andrew Johnson sent Oliver Hudson Kelley to the South to collect agricultural data. As a Northerner, Kelley was greeted with suspicion. However, he was a Mason, an affiliation that overcame sectional differences. Kelley saw the need for an organization that would bring farmers together and advance their interests. After consultations with the other Founders, the Grange was born in 1867. The first Grange was Potomac Grange #1 in Washington, D.C. It was experimental, so Fredonia Grange #1 in New York is often recognized as the first "true" Grange, although both still exist. Membership in the Grange increased dramatically from 1873 (200,000) to 1875 (858,050) as many of the state and local granges adopted non-partisan political resolutions, especially regarding the regulation of railroad transportation costs. Rapid growth infused the national organization with money from dues, and many local granges established consumer Cooperatives , initially supplied by the wholesaler Aaron Montgomery Ward . Poor fiscal management, combined with organizational difficulties resulting from rapid growth, led to a massive decline in membership. By the turn of the century, the Grange rebounded and membership stabilized. In the middle of the 1870s, the Granger movement was successful in Regulating the railroads and grain warehouses. The birth of the Cooperative Extension Service , Rural Free Delivery , and the Farm Credit System were largely due to Grange lobbying. The peak of their political power was marked by their success in '' Munn V. Illinois '', which held that the grain warehouses were a "private utility in the Public Interest ," and therefore could be regulated by public law (see references below, "The Granger Movement"). Other significant Grange causes included Women's Suffrage , Temperance , and the direct election of Senators . During the Progressive Era , political parties took up Grange causes. Consequently, local Granges focused more on community service, although the State and National Granges are still a considerable political force. RITUALS AND CEREMONIES The Grange borrowed some of its rituals and symbols from Freemasonry, including secret meetings, oaths and special passwords. Small, ceremonial farm tools are often displayed at Grange meetings. Elected officers are in charge of opening and closing each meeting. There are seven degrees of Grange membership; the ceremony of each degree relates to various symbols and principles. , now a community center]] THE GRANGE TODAY Grange membership has declined considerably as the percentage of American farmers has fallen from a third of the population in the early 20th century to less than two percent today. In the last 15 years, the number of Grange members has dropped by 40%, according to the Seattle Times . Despite this drop in membership and national awareness, the Grange continues to press for the causes of farmers, including issues of free trade and farm policy. The Grange is nonpartisan, and only supports policies, never political parties or candidates. Although the Grange was originally founded to serve the interests of farmers, the shrinking farm population has forced the Grange to broaden its scope to include a wide variety of issues, and anyone is welcome to join the Grange. ORGANIZATION The basic unit is called a "Subordinate Grange." This is the community Grange. All members are affiliated with one subordinate. Several subordinates are grouped to form the "Pomona Grange." Typically, the Pomona is made up of all the subordinates in a county. At the state level, the Grange is especially active in the political process. The State Master (President) is responsible for supervising the administration of the subordinate and Pomona Granges. The National Grange's activities are similar to the state, but on a much larger scale. In addition, the National Grange oversees the Grange ritual. TRIVIA The monument to the founding of the Grange is the only private monument on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S Truman were Grange members, as was artist Norman Rockwell . Washington State has the largest membership, at approximately 40,000. Susan B. Anthony 's last public appearance was at the National Grange Convention in 1903. EXTERNAL LINKS
NOTES REFERENCES |
|
|