What is a grange, and why should you care about Birdsview Grange?

In 1867, the National Grange Association was formed to help bring farmers and communities together to share knowledge of crops and animals, and bolster economic success for their local farming community. In 1889, the Washington State Grange Association was formed, and many subsidiary granges started popping up around the state. Over the years, the focus of granges has been less about farming, and more about the enrichment of rural communities through social, economic, and educational opportunities.

In 1911, local community members tried to form the Birdsview Grange. After a few more failed attempts, Birdsview Grange #957 was formed in 1931 and gained the community support it needed to survive and thrive. Over the years, Birdsview Grange hosted many sports tournaments, ice cream socials, card parties, and dances, as it was the center of all social activity in Birdsview. It also provided hot lunches for school children and local families during the Depression era when many families could not afford to feed their families. The Grange held annual Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners for the community. The Grange organized fundraisers for the Red Cross, and various local families in need. The Grange brought the community together through multiple wars, and offered a place of respite for worried families and community members. Members of the Grange lobbied for road improvements and bringing telephone service to the upriver community. The Grange was also essential in the creation of the Birdsview Fire Department, as they lobbied for and help raise funds to build the Birdsview Fire Department in the 1950’s. If it were not for Birdsview Grange, the Birdsview Fire Department would not have been created, funded, and built at its present location. The Grange was the center of all community events in Birdsview, right up until 2006 when the membership and interest in the Grange had dwindled, and the Grange was disbanded.

The history of the Birdsview Grange, while very admirable, is not unique to Birdsview. Many other local granges can boast the same level of community involvement and the ability to get services to their small, rural communities.

In 2019, a group of community members got together and decided to reorganize Birdsview Grange #957. The goal was to acquire the building from the School District, and undertake the extensive renovations that are needed for a 120 year old building that was sitting vacant for 15 years. Once it is restored to it’s original glory, Birdsview Grange #957 will hold their monthly meetings in the space, host community fundraisers, along with offering classes that might be relevant and sought after in this rural community (think classes on gardening, canning, sewing, farming, seed exchanges, etc.). It will also be offered as an affordable rental venue for weddings, parties, proms, and more. The new members want to breathe life into this historic organization, and create an awareness of the value that local granges can have for a small, rural community. The possibilities are endless. We appreciate you taking the time to learn about our exciting journey!