|
involvement, and has been a high profile organization within the town of Norfolk since the 1860’s when it was chartered. Meeting in the Norfolk Town Hall for several years after they were first formed, their membership grew to the point that they needed a larger space to meet. The Norfolk Grange purchased the Second Baptist Church building (built in 1863) on Rockwood Road from the Massachusetts Baptist Association in 1921, and the building was renamed the Norfolk Grange.
Shortly after their acquisition of the hall, the Norfolk Town Hall was razed by fire in 1922. The Grange then opened its doors to the town, allowing them to set up their offices in the Grange Hall on a temporary basis, along with the town library in the Grange Hall annex. Rent free, the town continued to avail themselves of the Grange’s hospitality until 1947, when they moved to a new town hall. The library remained in the Grange annex until 1956 when it was moved to a new town library building.
Although there are other 18th and 19th century buildings in the town, the Norfolk Grange is one of the oldest buildings in the center of town. It has stood as a monument to the cooperative spirit of the town residents for 143 years, and has served a very public function from 1922-1956. During the 27 years that it served as the town hall and library, it also hosted school graduations, town dances, political functions and served as the town meeting site.
Allowing their hall to be utilized by a variety of other organizations, the Norfolk Grange of today has long served as a central meeting place for residents. Although the members kept up on the routine maintenance of the hall, the repairs and upgrades required for this building to be brought up to code were staggering. Functions and hall rentals were the backbone of the revenues used to maintain the hall, but as the building deteriorated, this source of income became less and less.
Two years ago, Norfolk Grange formed a Hall Committee that was directed to determine the condition of the hall, investigate town permitting, evaluate the insurance plan, and work the rental details for the building. Under the direction of the Norfolk Grange Master, Ms. Georgia Jones, and the co-chairs of the Hall Committee, Suzanne Green and Marie Simpson and the Grange insurance consultant (and new member) Susan Bruno, the team began to evaluate the current use of the building.
Working with the town building inspector and fire chief, the Grange obtained the permits required to host public functions. A careful evaluation of the hall with contractors revealed the extent of the work that needed to be done. A historical preservationist was hired to assist the Grange in selecting projects to include in the proposal that maintained the historical integrity of the building. A visit was coordinated to see Julie Manley at Dartmouth Grange for her valuable insight and advice on their extensive and highly successful restoration project. The Massachusetts State Grange Executive Committee was contacted for their input and approval of the process. After 1 ˝ years, the plan was ready to be put into proposal form, and presented to the town.
Norfolk, like many other towns in Massachusetts, voted several years ago to create a Community Preservation Fund, designed to preserve historical structures, open space and create affordable housing within the community. Earmarked for town use, these funds are available to any public entity, organization or private citizen within the town. The key role that the Norfolk Grange played in town history made the Grangers feel that the building qualified for public historical restoration funds under the Community Preservation Act. A strategic plan was put in place to create a proposal, present it to the town Community Preservation Committee (CPC), and hope that the grant would go forward based on its own merits. After seven presentations to at least four different town boards and a public hearing, the Norfolk Grange was ready for a town vote.
Last minute conference calls to the Norfolk Grange’s attorney and a conference call to the Secretary of State’s office kept committee member Marie Simpson busy all afternoon on May 10. Suzanne Green polished off the final touches on a PowerPoint presentation about the project to be presented at town meeting, and ran through several “dry-runs” with trusted colleagues for feedback and input. Master Georgia Jones frantically made last minute calls and answered emails about the project, while Norfolk Grangers from all over town called their friends and neighbors to come out to support the Grange.
Members from Norfolk Grange #135 waited nervously as the town meeting hall began to fill on Wednesday, May 10. As members, friends and supporters of the Grange mingled with dissenters of the project, the auditorium was filled with an air of anticipation. With presentations made by the Norfolk Community Preservation Committee, and endorsements from the town Advisory Board, Historical Commission and Board of Selectmen, the stage was set. After a 20 minute presentation with photos describing the scope and sequence of the proposed Grange Hall project made by Suzanne Green, the floor was opened to a lengthy and animated discussion. In the end, the Norfolk Grange members and supporters couldn’t suppress their cries of delight as the Town Moderator, Frank Gross, announced that the article had passed. The Norfolk Grange Hall would be restored to its former glory.
As Norfolk Grange embarks on this exciting new chapter in the history of their hall and subordinate Grange, they would like to emphasize the key factors that contributed to this successful project. The teamwork with which the members of the Grange worked was excellent, and communication was constant. Working with town officials, instead of in isolation, was another factor that enhanced the positive outcome. The research that was conducted through the collaboration of Grangers and non-member volunteers was extensive. It was truly a project that was born of the Grange, but embraced by the community.
Lastly, having faith, hope and perseverance doesn’t hurt either…….Where have we heard that before?
Anyone interested in learning about how your Grange can embark on such a project is welcome to call or email to gain more details. Contact Suzanne Green (Hall Committee Co-Chair) at (508) 668-0268 Ext. 31 OR email: sgreen@norfolkaggie.org (email title: Norfolk Grange).
|
