The longest running secular organization in town was established on December 30, 1885 when a group of 22 residents gathered to organize a local chapter of the National Grange. The result was what would forever be known as “Little River Grange #36”. The first meeting was held at the home of George Holt. The minutes registered the eight purposes for its conception, among them: “to create a genuine association of the people in the open country; to create a permanent and militant force among the farm people everywhere; and to demand for agriculture, its workers and its investments, a square deal and full equity under the law with the other occupations, interests, and investments.”
The members of the newly founded Grange were without a permanent meeting place until member William Burnham donated land in 1905 for a building. In the spring of 1906, Austin and Arthur Pearl started the process of constructing the Grange Hall. In September of that year, members voted to borrow $800 to finish it. The first recorded meeting at the Little River Grange was held on January 11, 1907, ending 22 years without a permanent location to hold the growing membership, expanding from the 12 original members to 60 at the turn of the century. In 1911, a mortgage burning ceremony was held.
Among its many missions, the Grange members advocated for legislation in Hartford for rural electrification, rural mail delivery, and paved roads “in order to transport the farm products faster to market”. The Grange also supported assistance for the Storrs Agricultural School, known to us now as UCONN. The Grange Hall was used for dances, theatrical performances, weekly whist parties, and graduation ceremonies. In 1935, Grange members celebrated the 50th anniversary of its existence with 160 members attending the organization’s half century celebration, and in 1937 the organization voted to incorporate itself.
What would a farm organization be without an agricultural fair? The Little River Grange’s was first held in September of 1902. Open to the public, exhibits noted were farm products, domestic articles, a pastry auction, and the display of farm show animals. Profits from the fair were placed in an account to finance the building fund. The fair continued as a community staple until the 1940’s. During these war years, the Grange exempted its active duty members, who numbered 31, from membership fees, and supported the war effort by buying war bonds, recycling materials, and providing Christmas boxes for service members.
At wars end, the Grange resumed its regular activities, sponsoring a scout troop, and raising money for the town’s first ambulance, among other local charities. With members able to register for the benefits of the Blue Cross Health Insurance programs of the time, membership increased and peaked in 1953 at 333 members. In September of 1973, the Little River Grange Fair was reinstituted with an incentive: the State legislature passed a bill exempting agricultural societies from paying property tax if certain requirements were met, among them awarding $300 in prizes at an agricultural fair. It would continue annually for the next 26 years, ending in 1999.
Starting in the 1970’s, membership faced a slow but steady decline. The 1980’s began with 179 members. That number was down to 124 by 1990. Though membership was dwindling, the organization continued to function as an active community unit. The 100th anniversary was celebrated by 206 people. The Annual Memorial Day Barbecue initiated in the 1970’s would continue until 2005. The organization’s academic scholarship established in the 1960’s to award a Hampton student accepted to post-secondary studies continued, along with the Birthday Calendar and the Holiday Bazaar, which was incorporated with the Ladies Aid Society.
In July 2002, the Executive Board, having problems filling positions, met to discuss closing the Grange. A motion was made granting the Executive Board the authority to dispose of all assets, including the Grange Hall. All contents of the building were donated or sold and all proceeds were deposited into the scholarship fund in memory of Helen Pearl, held in perpetuity by the regional school district. Its charter was turned in to the national organization. The Little River Grange #36 would cease to exist after all profits had been legally and properly disposed.
In the fall of 2002, discussions began between the Executive Board Chairman and the Town of Hampton for the possible sale of the property to the Town. There was one restriction – the future use of the Grange Hall must serve as a community or art center. They also requested that the “Little River Grange #36 “sign not be removed from the front of the building. At a Town Meeting on November 18, 2002, citizens voted to accept the purchase of the Grange Hall, dependent on a title search and a positive environmental review. The selling price to the Town was $1. The official signing of the deal was at Town Hall on February 25, 2003. Shortly afterwards, a committee of residents was appointed by First Selectman Margaret Haraghey to guide the renovations of the newly acquired building. Chairman Gay Wagner obtained a grant to fully fund the restoration. In 2008, the Hampton Community Center opened, and has served as a location for birthday parties, art shows, wedding celebrations, scout use, concerts, plays, and dances ever since.
From 1978 to 2002, the Little River Grange reminded us every month of their community and philanthropic activities. In 2003, Fred Pogmore published a series of articles on the history of the Little River Grange, and our April 2006 front page, “Growing up with the Grange”, recorded the memories of Walt Stone, Peggy Hoffman, Henry Moon, Pearl Scarpino, Minnie Halbach, Claire Winters, Peggy Fox, and Dale Demontigny. We’re honored to have preserved those histories in our newspaper. Little River Grange #36 must be remembered for its generosity, charity and volunteerism. “We take care of our own,” could have been their motto. That spirit is still in Hampton. We must never forget its past as we forge forward and keep polishing that diamond in our midst.
Juan Arriola