What follows is a list of books devoted to the Grange… Many are “out of print,” but where possible, we’ve listed potential sources. If you can add to this list, please let us know! Books are listed alphabetically by title followed by author’s name, date of publication, and publisher if known. If I have read or am familiar with the book, I offer a short description. Information is believed to be accurate–if you find otherwise, please also let us know.
When searching for books about Grange, those unfamiliar with the organization should be prepared to find several types of publications that may require explanation. These publications typically contain no or very limited information about specific Granges.
- Journal of Proceedings. These are best described as “reports” of what took place at State and National Conventions. These are available from The National Grange Supply Store.
- Subordinate Grange Manuals. In theory, these should not be available to the public–they are printed ritual instructions and are considered the property of the Grange.
- Pomona Grange Manuals. In theory, these should not be available to the public–they are printed ritual instructions for the Pomona Level (formerly defined by county) and the fifth degree. Like Subordinate Manuals, they are considered the property of the Grange.
- Digest or Digest of Laws is published annually by National Grange as Grange Law and Procedure changes following the National Convention in the fall. The current Digest is available from The National Grange Supply Store.
- Grange Cookbooks have long been a popular fundraising item at the national, state, and local levels. They are not included here simply because there have been so many over the years! Those interested should search eBay and used book dealers.
Books of General and Historic Interest
A Fair Field and No Favor by Stanley Russell Howe (1994, Maine State Grange) is out of print but copies can occasionally be found through eBay and used book dealers. Subtitled “A concise history of the Maine State Grange” the book traces Grange History in Maine through 1994. Fully illustrated a significant portion of the book is lists of items like Granges based on when they were chartered, the location of state conventions, state officers, etc. For anyone with questions relative to Granges in Maine or the Maine State Grange, it’s the place to start!
Exploring Traditions–Celebrating the Grange Way of Life by Walter Boomsma (2018, Abbot Village Press) in print and available from The National Grange Supply Store, Abbot Village Press, and Amazon.
First Century of Service and Evolution: The Grange, 1867-1967 by W.L. Robinson, the book looks at the first 100 years of the National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry. (1966, National Grange) Available from Amazon in Kindle format.
For the Common Good: Some Achievements of Subordinate Granges in the National Grange Community Service Contest by National Grange (2014, National Grange) is available from Amazon in Kindle format.
Legal and Economic Influence of the Grange 1867-1967 by authors John Miles Jr., Alfred Strand Jr., William Falck, and Robert Lingo, chronicles the impact of the Grange on social legislation through the organization’s first 100 years. (1967, National Grange) Available from Amazon in Kindle format.
Mentor in the Granges and Homes of Patrons of Husbandry by Rev. A. B. Grosh, First Chaplain of the National Grange (1876, Clark & Maynard, Publishers) available from Amazon on Kindle. Described as “Designed to explain the origin, aims, and government of the Order, answer objectors, advise candidates, teach the lessons of each degree, and duties of officers and members and thus aid Patrons to be better members of families, of the Order, and of Society.” While not always an easy read due to sometimes archaic style and lack of editing, I found this profoundly interesting especially in considering how much change there has been in practice without abandoning fundamentals. Also available from Google Books and the HathiTrust Digital Library
Notes and Quotes: On the Origin of the Ritual and Early Years of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry by C. Jerome Davis delves into the early history of the Grange as well as the meaning of many of the ritualistic aspects of the organization. (1974, National Grange). Available from Amazon.
People, Pride and Progress: 125 Years of the Grange in America by David H. Howard. (1992, National Grange). Available from Amazon.
Proud Heritage: A Composite History of the Early Years of the Order of the Patrons of Husbandry by C. Jerome Davis. (1987, National Grange) Available from Amazon.
Rich Harvest: A History of the Grange, 1867-1900 by D. Sven Nordin (1974, University Press of Mississippi) available from University Press of Mississippi as well as Barnes & Noble and Amazon
Spirit of the Grange by Ann Waters (2016, Fastpencil Publishing) available from Amazon and in The National Grange Supply Store.
The Grange, Friend of the Farmer by Charles M. Gardener (1949, originally published by the National Grange) available from Amazon as a Kindle Book. Print copies can often be found on eBay and through used book dealers. I would classify this as one of the classic Grange books–the emphasis is historical, but it includes a number of insights into the fraternal aspect of the Grange. The author was High Priest Meritus of the National Grange and held a number of different local, state, and national positions. Also available from the HathiTrust Digital Library
Books That Are State or Region Specific
The 150th Anniversary Booklet includes a list of all Granges that have existed in Maine up through 2024, where state conventions have been held and more. Available for viewing and downloading from the site!
The Granger Movement in New England 1872-1896: An Interpretation by L. Michael Hager (1960, reprinted by National Grange) is available from Amazon in Kindle format.
The Early Granges of New York State: The First 10 Years by William S. Benson, Jr. (1992, New York State Grange) available from Amazon in Kindle format.
Historic Lewiston: The Grange at Crowley’s Junction, by Douglas I. Hodgkin. This is a thorough 62-page case study of the history of Lewiston Grange No. 2. It is placed in the context of Maine trends. It includes several illustrations and documentation. Copies may be purchased at the Androscoggin Historical Society Book Store.
Books Containing or about Grange Music
Special thanks to Katherine Rhoda for her assistance with this section. Check out her website at https://katherinerhoda.com where you’ll find information about “heartfelt music fostering authentic human connection.”
- Scanned Documents is not exactly a book, but some scanned documents that include a number of “Grange Songs” — words written to be sung to familiar tunes.
- Songs for the Grange by Caroline Arabella Hall (1874), available for free download at Google Books and the HathiTrust Digital Library; pdf available from ForgottenBooks.com (incorrectly attributed to printer J. A. Wagenseller); reprints on Amazon
- The Trumpet of Reform: A Collection of Songs, Hymn, Chants and Set Pieces for the Grange, the Club, and all Industrial & Reform Organizations by George F. Root (1874), available for free download at the Internet Archive; pdf available from ForgottenBooks.com; reprint on Amazon.
- Glad Echoes from the Grange edited by James L. Orr (1881, Ohio State Grange), available for free download at the Internet Archive and the HathiTrust Digital Library; pdf available from ForgottenBooks.com; reprint on Amazon.
- New Glad Echoes from the Grange edited by James L. Orr (1881, Ohio State Grange), contains 44 more songs than Glad Echoes from the Grange; check used book dealers.
- Grange Melodies edited and compiled by James L. Orr (1891, National Grange), available for free download at the Internet Archive, Google Books, and the HathiTrust Digital Library; pdf available from ForgottenBooks.com; reprint on Amazon.
- Grange Songster by Albert P. Knapp, (1915, Charles J. Bainbridge), check used book dealers.
- New Grange Songster: A Collection of Grange Songs and Farm Ballads Set to Old Familiar Tunes by Albert P. Knapp, (no date, Charles J. Bainbridge), check used book dealers.
- The Patron: The Official Song-Book of the Grange (1925, 1933, 1955, 1964, 1978, National Grange), check used book dealers–most recent edition available at the National Grange Supply Store.
- Juvenile Grange Song Book, arranged and prepared by Susan W. Freestone (1935, National Grange), check used book dealers.
- The Grange Songbook: The Offical Songbook of the National Grange (1925, 1954, 1978, 1983, National Grange), spiral “pianist” version available from the National Grange Supply Store.
- The Junior Grange Songbook: The Official Songbook of the Junior Grange (1935, 1986, National Grange), available from the National Grange Supply Store.
- Conference Song Book (no date given, National Grange), available from the National Grange Supply Store.
- A Collection of Songs for Grange Occasions (1967, National Grange), available from the National Grange Supply Store.
- Lift Up Your Hands: Popular Songs in Sign Language (1976, National Grange), available from the National Grange Supply Store.