State Grange's 150th Anniversary Coming Up!
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The Grange story began in Pennsylvania with the organization of Eagle Grange #1 near Williamsport on March 4, 1871.   More than two years later, the State Grange was officially organized in Reading, PA on September 18, 1873, after 25 local Granges scattered throughout the state had formed.   The celebration of the 150th anniversary of Grange in the Keystone State began in 2021 with a kick-off event and continues throughout 2022 and 2023.   The special observance will culminate with the annual State Session in Morgantown (Berks County) during October 2023.​​

Click here to access a directory of contact information for the members of the State Grange History/150th Anniversary Committee and the 150th anniversary regional coordinators. 

Upcoming Anniversary Events

Don't miss a moment of this important occasion!  This is YOUR State Grange Anniversary; we hope you will join us in celebrating!

Opportunities for Participation in 150th Anniversary 
​ Click on links below for complete details

                                   
  • ​Acts of Service - brief descriptions of many new, unique service projects to benefit the community shared on the State Grange Facebook page and website
  • “Light the Cake” – financial contributions in amounts from $1-$150 continue to finance the celebration; contributors will be listed in the historical program booklet
  • Sponsorships – larger contributions in six categories ranging from $250-$5,000;   all sponsorship levels include a complimentary ad in the historical program booklet
  • Historical Booklet Ads – be part of the published history of the State Grange by purchasing an ad block in one-eighth, quarter, half, three-quarter and full page sizes; due 6/30/2022
  • Candle Lighting Ceremonies – 12 brief monthly prepared ceremonies with a reading and votive lighting for use at local Grange meetings, each about a different aspect of the organization
  • Recognition of 50 year+ Sixth Degree members – help us identify and contact persons who received the Sixth Degree in 1973 or earlier
  • Tabletop Displays – set up a 4’ table display at the 2023 session about your Grange to either share its history or tell the story of current activities
  • Pennants – every Grange (Subordinate, Pomona and Junior) is encouraged to make a pennant to be part of the hotel decorations
  • Door Prizes – every Grange is asked to donate a door prize of an approximate $25 value – gift baskets, gift cards, handcrafted items, etc.
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150 Years...150 Acts of Service

Celebrating with Acts of Service

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This special feature of the State Grange’s 150th anniversary was introduced in the last issue of the Pennsylvania Grange News and several acts of service by our local Granges have been reported.

Every community Grange is challenged to sponsor at least one new service project between now and October 2023 and to use this opportunity to tell others about the Grange story of serving rural Pennsylvania for the past 150 years.  Our theme for this initiative is “PA State Grange 150 Years – 150 Acts of Service”.  All completed projects are documented in a spreadsheet and the dial measures our progress toward reaching the goal of 150 new service projects.  Please do your part to move the dial to 150 completed projects and beyond!  Reports of your Grange’s act(s) of service may be reported at any time to Doug Bonsall (douglas.b@verizon.net) or Jenn Nauss (jnauss89@gmail.com) or by completing this form so they may be added to the list; please follow the format of the first several projects already recorded, being as brief yet descriptive as possible.  Click on the dial to see more details about the completed Acts of Service. 
​​Highlights from the 150th Anniversary Kick-Off - September 18th, 2021

Photo Collages

Click on each image to view the full-sized collage.

Video Highlights


National Grange Hall of Fame Recognition

The Pennsylvania State Grange honored inductees, Leonard Rhone, John W. Scott, and J. Luther Snyder.  For more information about the National Grange Hall of Fame, click here.

Watch the recognition below:


Keynote Address by Dr. MeeCee Baker

Dr. Baker, former legislative director of the Pennsylvania State Grange, delivered a keynote address that challenged Grange members to pivot.  She emphasized the need to make some much needed changes to membership and policy so that the Grange will survive for another 150 years. 

Watch Dr. Baker's address below:


Candle Lighting Ceremony

A candle lighting ceremony was held to signify the spreading of the "Grange light" from the National Grange to Eagle Grange #1.  From Eagle Grange #1, the light continued to spread across the state.  By 2023 when the State Grange was organized, 25 local Granges had been organized.

Watch the candle lighting ceremony below:


Anniversary Song

The anniversary song was unveiled at the kick-off.  The song will be sung at anniversary events during the next two years. 

Do you know State Grange will celebrate a real big date?
Looking at our great long history,
We must hurry now to plan before it is too late
One hundred fifty in twenty-three.
         One hundred fifty in twenty-three,
         One hundred fifty in twenty-three,
This is something special you will surely want to see,
One hundred fifty in twenty-three.

We will host the meet in Reading as you have been told,
This is where the State Grange came to be
All it takes is Pennsylvania Grangers, young and old.
One hundred fifty in twenty-three.
One hundred fifty in twenty-three,
         One hundred fifty in twenty-three,
This is something special you will surely want to see,
One hundred fifty in twenty-three.