The National Grange was founded as a family Agricultural Organization in which women were given a full vote years before Federal acceptance of Woman’s Suffrage. The organization was dedicated to making the life of farmers and rural people better.
The West Springfield Grange No. 147 was founded in 1888 and built this hall, at 93 Garden Street in 1915; just 11 years after the Southworth family subdivided their farmland into houselots. The West Springfield Grange has been serving the community with programs fostering family welfare, community services, and strong social ties for 115 years. Members were interested in saving the environment decades before that movement became fashionable in the United States. In 1962 the local Grange succeeded in convincing the Selectmen to establish a Conservation Commission in town.
Before the dikes were built along the banks of the Connecticut River, life was not always easy for the residents of Garden Street. Spring floods were a serious problem. During the famous March 1936 flood the Connecticut River rose to the point where the water level was two feet above the porch floor or five feet above where you are standing. During the four years it took to repair the damage, meetings were held at the community YMCA located on Westfield Street.
Membership in the organization reached its peak in the early 1950’s. Since then the steady loss of farmland in the community has resulted in a decline in membership.
In addition to providing farming information, the Grange has served as a meeting place for church groups, 4H and other youth organizations and activities such as square dancing. They still contribute to the community in many ways including the presentation of an annual Community Citizen of the Year Award.