The building known locally as the Grange hall, stands on Route 302 at the Rotary. The Pleasant River Grange, Patrons of Husbandry number 35 was organized in 1874 at the Pleasant River House, a hotel once situated at the corner now known as the Rotary. Meetings were first held at the Kennard School, a small brick building o Route 202, then in the Masonic Hall at Windham Hill, and in the home of D. F. Moody at the Hill. Membership continued to grow, and in 1885, the structure shown here was built. Membership in the Grange provided social benefits and assistance to its members through the purchase of large quantities of food staples which were sold at wholesale prices. Meetings were still being held twice monthly in 1976 when the membership had dwindled to 80. The Grange was once one of the most important civic organizations in Windham, but due to declining membership, was disbanded in 1994. The assets were divided between the historical society and the high school alumni association. The Grange hall looks much the same as it always did and was recently purchased by a local couple who intend to operate a business there.


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