Norfolk Grange Hall facts for kids
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Norfolk Grange Hall
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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Norfolk Grange Hall
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | 28 Rockwood Rd., Norfolk, Massachusetts |
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| Area | 0.5 acres (0.20 ha) |
| Built | 1863 |
| Architectural style | Italianate, Georgian |
| Part of | Rockwood Road Historic District (ID100000850) |
| NRHP reference No. | 89000438 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | May 25, 1989 |
| Designated CP | April 10, 2017 |
The Norfolk Grange Hall is a special old building in Norfolk, Massachusetts. It used to be called the First Baptist Church. Built way back in 1863, it's one of the oldest public buildings still standing in town! Since 1921, it has been owned by the Norfolk Grange # 135, a community group. They use it as their meeting place. This building is so important that it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.
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About the Norfolk Grange Hall
The Norfolk Grange Hall is located on Rockwood Road in Norfolk. It is a single-story building made of wood. It has a pointed roof at the front and a strong stone base. The middle part of the front sticks out a little. On top of this part is a two-level tower with a unique flared roof. The building's corners have decorative blocks. The front roof has a triangle shape with fancy trim. There are entrances on both sides of the middle section. Each entrance has a half-round window above it.
A Church Becomes a Community Hub
The building was first built in 1863 for the Baptists of Norfolk. This was before Norfolk was even called Norfolk! The Baptists had been meeting since about 1800. They first met in nearby towns. Later, they used an old church building. In 1861, their old building needed many repairs. So, they decided to build this new church. It served as their church until 1921. At that time, fewer people were attending.
The Grange Takes Over
In 1921, the local Grange chapter bought the building. The Grange is a community group that started in 1886. It was very important for farmers and the community back then. The Grange updated the building. They added electricity and plumbing. Over the years, the building has been used for many community events.
From 1922 to 1949, the town even held its official meetings here. This happened after the town hall burned down. The public library was also in the back of the building from 1922 to 1956. The Norfolk Grange Hall is one of the oldest public buildings in town. Only the Federated Church, built in 1832, is older.
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