Grange Halls During the Depression
AuSable Valley Grange, Keeseville, New York, Courtesy of Adirondack Architectural Heritage
We have been discussing Grange Hall history through the lens of food. The grange movement dates back to the mid nineteenth century when farmers organized to better prices for their crops and improve their purchases power for the basic necessities they needed for their families. During the Great Depression Grange Halls hosted dances. A New Hampshire New Deal Works Progress Administration (WPA) source in the Library of Congress archives describes oyster stew suppers and turkey suppers complete with all the ‘fixings, pies,’ cakes, cookies and coffee in abundance as popular menu items a grange dances.