Minute Books, 1936-1958

These records document the establishment and history of the Milledgeville Grange No. 1883, Carroll County, Illinois from its origin in 1936 through 1976. A complete set of minute books comprise the major series of the collection and contain information on meeting activities dealing with various farming problems and their solutions. Dues and grange expenses for hall rental, social functions, and supplies are detailed in the treasurer’s account books (1936-1972). Committee lists, community service reports, a guest book and two scrapbooks illustrate the heavy community involvement of Milledgeville Grange in sponsoring dances, rotary dinners, picnics, and charities. The grange movement provided farmers with a means of gathering to discuss mutual agricultural problems and to alleviate the loneliness of the farming life. Persons interested in the grange movement will find valuable information about the structure and function of these groups in the Milledgeville Grange Collection. Researchers should note that several Grange Histories are contained in Box 1, Folder 1.