1772 Grant Recipient: Antrim Grange No. 98

The Antrim Grange No. 98 is one of sixteen grantees in 2023 for funds through The 1772 Foundation

This beloved community gathering space has been closed for several years because of structural concerns. The building is the second floor of a previous one and it was constructed without adequate sills or foundation. A 2021 N.H. Preservation Alliance building assessment prioritized the failed sills and needed foundation repairs as immediate concerns. This $10,000 grant will complete the Grange’s fundraising for this first-phase project and allow the much-needed work to be completed this summer. Other work scheduled this summer includes roof replacement supported by a matching grant from the N.H. Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP). Granges, a symbol of progressive rural principles and vibrant civic life, are an endangered property type in New Hampshire and were named to the Alliance’s Seven to Save list in 2013.

“The Antrim Grange Hall is an example of the evolution from early settlement construction to modern day rehabilitation. The efforts of our members to preserve this historic meeting space serve as an important example to the community and Granges everywhere that with responsible stewardship, bold action, and idealistic visioning we can make a lasting contribution to society,”noted Beth Merrill, Committee Chair, Antrim Grange Rehabilitation Project.