RICHMOND — Members of the Richmond Enterprise Grange hope to breathe new life the historic grange hall.

Standing in the way is a laundry list of repairs for the building, and a shortage of funds to complete them. Arnold Stinson, a grange member, has roof repair listed at No. 1, circled in red marker. The grange will be able to fix that in the coming months, but there are a number of other items. The grange needs to replace an aging heating system, 19 windows, and would like to remove a chimney to create more space and improve access to the second floor.

The costs of the roof will be covered through fundraising and the sale of Bowdoinham’s Merrymeeting Grange Hall for $50,000. Members of that Merrymeeting had already merged with Enterprise. Next is windows, to find the right size for the aging building estimates are around $250 each.

“Doing bake sales doesn’t buy windows,” said Stinson. “Some of this we as members can do, but at the same time, sometimes it’s hard enough getting together to host a supper let alone finding the time to work.”

The Grange is a nonprofit organization that has its roots in agriculture, but in more recent decades its purpose has stretched into community advocacy and service.

Members have discussed seeking donations for windows, and allowing either a former member or resident to be memorialized. The group did host a community art show close the gap for roof funding.

“If someone would like to write a big check, they can write it off,” Stinson said with a laugh. “We’d be happy to name a room after them or some windows.”

The hall’s needs were discussed at the town’s Board of Selectmen meeting Monday. Town Manager Adam Garland explained to the board any kind of grant or Tax Increment Financing would need matching funds from the organization. Fundraising efforts will likely still be needed.

History and family

Richmond’s Grange dates back to 1935, but Stinson said the hall itself dates to early 1900s. The recent challenges they’ve taken on are in part due to a lower membership.

“Twenty years ago a meeting would be at least 30 people,” said Stinson. “Now we’re lucky to have 10.”

Stinson is a former master at the Enterprise Grange, while his mother Marilyn Stinson is the community service coordinator.  Marilyn Stinson fights back tears when she talks about the help they’ve received from Friends of Grange, local volunteers who aren’t full members. The Stinsons want their network to continue to benefit the community, but it comes with challenges.

“Whether it be this organization or a lot of volunteer organizations throughout the country, the spirit of volunteering or joining outside groups has gone away,” said Stinson.

The National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry was initially started after the civil war as a Christian-based advocacy group for agriculture. It was a place to meet for farmers to meet while battling railroad monopolies diminishing the value of their product. Today, while still rooted in agriculture, it’s more community oriented around service.

Marilyn Stinson joined the Grange in 1983. She has seen generations of community members enjoy the hall. Her own wedding reception was held here at Enterprise.

The hall has held dances for the high school, and local music groups have performed on it’s second floor stage.

The Stinsons would like to see the hall brought back to life to bring more of those events back. Hosting dinners and receptions on the first floor will help, and Alfred said a recent change in Grange policy allowing renters to bring alcohol could change the landscape for hosting events.

“It’s available to any community member that wants to use it,” said Alfred Stinson. “Now that we’re allowed alcohol in the building that changes things for us if we can pretty it up and make it look like a place people will want to come.”

chris@timesrecord.com