The Machias Valley Grange

In the late 1800’s, as an outgrowth of the “Populist movement,” the “Patrons of Husbandry” was formed. The farmers of this movement began organizing to keep agriculture local, work more cooperatively, and hold off the pressures of the corporate monopolies, known in those days as the “robber barons.” The Patrons, also referred to as the Grange, began as a movement to build cultural and organizing centers for farmers, and quickly spread throughout the country, with Maine as a stronghold. In its heyday in the early 1900’s, there were over 400 Grange Halls in Maine alone. Unlike the Society Halls built for the Masons or Oddfellows, a unique aspect of the Grange movement from it’s inception was its desire to involve women and youth in the organization’s decision making and ritual. The Granges were, and still are, a place for folks to come together in a non-religious setting to sing, dance, eat together and dedicate oneself to community service. The legacy of this energy is very much present in our building, and often gives us chills. This history, like much of the amazing labor movements of that time, have been ignored by the history books, and stolen from our collective consciousness

So, the Machias Valley Grange was built in 1904, and was in consistent use by the local Grangers until about ten years ago, They had been forced by economic circumstances to instead meet in the next town over, and eventually made the decision to sell the building and use the funds to build something better suited for the needs of their smaller, and aging, group. Over the years, many of the offers to buy the building came from a trucking company that wished to rip it down and put in a road… but because of a clause in Grange policy that stipulates that the money must go to a trust fund at the State Grange (unless the local Grangers wish to rebuild). a situation was created where there was no incentive to sell the building to developers. When the Grangers were approached by the bees, and we shared with them our desire to open the space back up to the community, and coordinate a huge mural project about the history of agriculture… there was a exciting realization that we were the people they were holding out for! Some amazing synchronicity… that we still get all tingly about, as do the elder Grangers that are thrilled to see our dedication to reviving the traditions of this special place. So at this point we’re almost done paying off our mortgage on the building through the State Grange, mostly from donations for our posters (ain't that sumthin'!?)

Two years ago we had a big reunion, with the Grangers having their first meeting in the building in ten years. After a potluck in the dining hall with over 80 people of all different ages… folks with wheelchairs and canes were helped upstairs to the ballroom, where all the original tables, chairs, flags, props and piano were arranged for an open to the public Grange ritual and meeting. We had dug up some old Grange songbooks to find the songs that would mesh our politics and theirs, and we spent that very emotional night all singing together… Grangers from all around the area and about twenty of us bees. Ahhh, sigh….

It is amazing the beautiful condition that the Machias Grange is in considering it’s vacancy for many years. The building is two tall stories, with most of it’s original wooden chairs, benches and tables. Downstairs is a large, postless room that functions as a dining hall, with a piano, and is home to our “Friday Night Coffeehouse” events. There is a well equipped kitchen, with both wood and gas stoves. Upstairs, there is a dancehall/ballroom space with a high pressed tin ceiling, balcony, stage, movie screen, another piano, and lots of natural light. This is where we have our collective working areas set up. Our workspace at the Grange does not offer individual studio spaces, rather one large open room where many tables and desks offer space for both individual and collective projects. The layout of common space in the Grange is one of the major differences of our collective, in that our priorities encourage giving space for collaborative projects, rather than to individual artist-closets. The waterfalls. ocean bay, and park directly across the street function as our space to play or work outside.

All of the funds needed for restoration of this building come from individuals, as most foundations will not fund infrastructure, such as a purchase or repairs to a permanent space. We rely on private donations, entirely volunteer labor, and sales of our posters and mosaics to support these essential parts of our endeavor. Please consider donating honey to allow this project to realize its exciting potential, or commission a mosaic to support our ambitious volunteer bees in revitalizing this important historical hub of activity…