Empire Grange 100th Year Jubilee

The Grange movement, or The Order of The Patrons of Husbandry, started after the Civil War to promote the economic and political interests of farmers. By the early twentieth century, it focused on providing educational, economic, and social benefits to its members, an emphasis that continues today. Grangers borrowed many elements from other fraternal organizations such as the Masons, including membership rituals and a hierarchical organizational structure. And secret handshakes. Notably, the Grangers welcomed women into their ranks as equal, voting members, early in the organization’s history.

Empire Grange was organized in 1902 and received its charter in March, 1904. It was the seventh grange formed in Larimer County, which had thirteen granges by the 1940s. Empire Grange is now the longest-enduring grange in Larimer County, and one of more than 50 granges still active in the state of Colorado. The Empire Grange Hall was first planned in 1910, when the Maxwells donated land from their dairy farm on West Mulberry St. for the hall. The building was completed in 1912. Today, the grange hall provides meeting and performance space for a variety of organizations, in addition to its continuing role as the home base for the Empire Grange.

To celebrate this historic event High Plans Arts and Mulberry Community gardens is throwing a birthday party, May 12, 2012 from 12:30 - 7:30. come on out and enjoy performance from the users of the grange and take a tour of the garden. We will have food, beverages, games, a vegetable plant sale. Bring the kids to meet our goats and the visiting sheep.

For more information or to volunteer contact Lorraine Dunn at Lorraine@MulberryCommunityGardens.org or call 970-493-1009

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Public Facebook event www.facebook.com/events/232569656844127