Monticello Grange No. 338 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Monticello Grange #338
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | Main St., 0.7 mi. S of jct. with Muckatee Rd., Monticello, Maine |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1922 |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian |
| NRHP reference No. | 00000760 |
| Added to NRHP | July 05, 2000 |
The Monticello Grange No. 338 is a special old building in Monticello, Maine. It's located right on United States Route 1. This historic building was built in 1922 by a group called the Grange. For many years, it was the only place in town where people could gather for big events. It hosted fun social gatherings, important town meetings, and even school graduations! Today, the Grange hall is still used for some of these activities. Because of its importance, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.
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What is the Monticello Grange?
The Monticello Grange No. 338 is a building that belongs to a local chapter of the Patrons of Husbandry. This group is often just called "the Grange." The Grange is a community organization that helps farmers and promotes rural life. They often have halls like this one where members can meet and hold events.
A Look at the Building
The Grange hall is a two-and-a-half-story building made of wood. It has a roof that slopes down on two sides, creating a triangle shape at the front. The outside of the building is covered with its original tin siding.
The front of the building faces west, towards US Route 1. It has a main entrance in the middle. On either side of the entrance, there are windows, but they are not placed exactly the same way. On the second floor, there is one window above the entrance and another above the window on the left side. There's also a single window higher up, in the triangular part of the roof.
Inside the Grange Hall
When you go inside, you first enter a small entryway. To your left, there's a place to hang coats. To your right, there are stairs leading up. A door from the entryway opens into a large dining room. At the back of the dining room, you'll find bathrooms. Behind the coat room, there's a kitchen.
The second floor is where the main meeting hall for the Grange is located. This large room is where the Grange members hold their meetings. At one end of the hall, there is a stage. This stage was used for performances, speeches, and other events.
A Look Back: History of the Grange
The Monticello chapter of the Grange started in 1899. They built their first meeting hall that same year. Sadly, that building was destroyed by a fire in 1921. The current building, which you can see today, was built to replace it the very next year, in 1922.
For many years, this hall was a very busy place. It was used for all sorts of things. Besides Grange meetings, it also housed the town offices for a while. Important town meetings were held here too. The hall was also the center for many social events, bringing the community together.
School Events and Graduations
Until 1974, the local school in Monticello did not have a large space for big gatherings. Because of this, school graduations and other school events were held at the Grange hall. Imagine celebrating your graduation in this historic building! In 1980, the town offices moved to a building next door. Even after that, the Grange hall continued to be an important part of Monticello life.
See also
