The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1903-09-10
THE GR ANGE
Z, -. -, -.
Conducted by J. W. DhRROW,
Press Correspondent Ntw York state
GRANGE
AN IDEAL GRANGE HALL.
Its size. General Plan and Equip
mcrt Described.

Especial Correspondence
Since years of experience have de-
veloped the real home work Of the
grange the up TO date grange hall must
conform to the demands OF such prog.
ress. For years 1t has been conceded
to be of benefit IF the subordinate
grange had In its own name and con-
troll place called "home" Because
of the grange combining its membership
to those chiefly interested in agricul
tural pursuits this home naturally To-
Gates itself out in the country. That
Ii may represent the grange TO the
passerby the surrounding grounds
should be ample for sheds for horses
with good variety Of trees and
lawn to accommodate gatherings of
people as occasion may require. The
entire outside premises should be kept
In an inviting condition.
AS to the grange hall itself, the out
side design should be in harmony with
the uses for which II IL built, and this
suggests n harmonlzing of both church
and schoolhouse architecture TO meet
all requirements the building should be
u ltdNl ~ ". W. lfti VII Allt Eluuilils
with eighteen foot posts on the sides.
This will permit the lower part of the
building to be eight feet from floor to
ceiling and leave nine foot sides for
the upper room, which, with an arched
ceiling from q system of collar joists,
will give n good effect. The lower part
Of the hall should be divided to accom-
modate hallway. entrance, kitchen,
stairway and large assembly room,
which is also suitable for banquet
hall. and, inasmuch ms children under
fourteen years Of age must now be pro-
vidod for this room becomes u very
proper place Tor them. ana during the
lecturers hour they can sit with their
parents I'm the grange. This large room
below, being warm and light, Is very
convenient for all members in which
to hang their wraps on hook rails
around the outer walls Still further,
this large lower room can be used for
: all common entertainments. and espe-
cially is 1t suitable for this when il has
a platform OF stage mt one end. with
suitable scenery.
The upper story OF the building
should be divided into stair landing,
anteroom, property closet, a nursery
md the grange hall proper. While the
lower rooms should have naked floors,
the stairway and all floors above
should be carpeted and the grange hall
should have finished and decorated
walls and be as well furnished as the
sitting room Of well to do farmers
home. AnneXes for libraries and court
scenes should also be provided Such
q grange building will cost about $1,000
to $1,000
A grange contemplating the building
OF a hall or home of this kind can start
with the following subscription list:
'We, the undersigned members of
grange, agree to give the
amounts of hand labor, team labor,
material and MONEY set opposite our
respective names for the purpose of
building u grange hall at such place
and time and in accordance with such
plans as the grange may specify"
Such a subscription will give a start
which, in the hands of u good building
committee, can be made to go long
way toward securing the desired OBJ
5ect. 1t is generally necessary to lend
few hundred dollars to finish and,
furnish, all of which can be paid Off
with suppers and entertainments Of
various kinds.
1t will be noted that in planning the
rooms the children and babes are pro-
yided for. This Is to encourage the
mothers to go to the grange The
children, woven into the lecturers hour
programme, make the ideal entertain
ment Where the children are thus
well cared for the parents will become
interested. GEORGE b. HORTON.