Westfield Grange Records (Winnebago County)

Collection

Identifier: RHC-RC-088

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

These records document the establishment, development, and eventual demise of Westfield Grange No. 1764, Winnebago County, Illinois. Included are a complete set of due account/roll books, and a partial, informative set of minute books, treasurer’s ledgers, and subordinate quarterly reports which document the Grange’s business and economic functions for its entire history (1911-1972). Complementary information about the various social and business concerns is included in the committee lists, fund-raising plans, and the guest book. The membership applications, deficient in number and years covered (1911-1927, 1955-1968), provide supplementary data on the members listed in the dues account/roll books. In addition to the historical information available for the subordinate Grange, a small portion of the records document the history of the Westfield Juvenile Grange No. 79 (1958-1969). These records detail the concerns and social activities planned by the membership. Another minor series of the collection includes items from the Illinois State Grange and the National Grange, but these records do not document the history of the two organizations.

Dates

created: 1911-1972
Other: Date acquired: 03/05/1980

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions on access to the collection.

Conditions Governing Use

Property rights in the collection are held by the Regional History Center; literary rights are dedicated to the public.

Biographical or Historical Information

The Westfield Grange No. 1764, Winnebago County, Illinois, was organized with 62 charter members on March 8, 1911. The first officers of the new subordinate Grange were J.E. Wright (Master), R.C. Chambers (Secretary), and Frank Hill (Treasurer). Bi-monthly meetings originally were held in various member’s homes until 1919 when a Grange Hall in Winnebago was dedicated and put into use. The Grange supported various entertainment programs and lectures discussing agricultural advances or subjects which influenced rural like in some capacity. Nevertheless, an eventual decline in interest and membership forced the Westfield Grange to disband in 1972. A similar organization, the Westfield Juvenile Grange No. 79, was formed in 1958 for the youth of the farm community. Primarily designed as a social club, the Juvenile Grange planned events such as dances, roller skating parties, and ice cream socials. These activities continued to occur until lack of membership finally caused the Juvenile Grange to disband in 1969.

Note written by

Extent

1.00 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Source of Acquisition

Mrs. Charles (Ruth) Temple

Method of Acquisition

Mrs. Charles (Ruth) Temple, Winnebago, donated the Westfield Grange No. 1764 Collection to the Regional History Center on March 5, 1980.

Related Materials

Researchers should note a number of other collections held by the Regional History Center which relate in whole or in part to the Grange organization. In particular, the South Grove Grange (RC 61), the Etna Grange (RC 63), the Hanover Scenic Grange (RC 64), the Round Grove Grange (RC 68), the Willowdale Grange (RC 80) and the Laura Cooper Collection (RC 44).