History of New Market Grange No 362
1920-2010
The New Market Grange was originally organized as New Market Grange No. 40 on February 20, 1874 by J.N. The thought of a Grange in New Market lay dormant until January 13th, 1920 when State Organizer J.T. Anthony reorganized the Grange as New Market Grange No. 362. There were 37 charter members, and all regular meetings were held in the New Market Od
d Fellows Home. The first major activity was the construction of a hall. On land that was donated by Grace Episcopal Church, the Grange set out to do just that. Charter member Frank Maynard, who was manager for Detrick Farms, was able to acquire standing timber from Mr. Detrick that was used for the lumber to build the hall. Members cut the timber, hauled it to the saw mill and then to the building site. The first Grange hall was patterned after the Catholic Hall in Libertytown. Many members donated time and their efforts in the construction of the first New Market Grange hall. The cost to the members to build the hall was $4,000. After four years the hall was finally completed and ready to become one of the main “hot spots” in New Market. State Master B. John Black preformed the dedication ceremony in 1924. After the dedication ceremony Grange members got to work raising the funds to pay off the mortgage. $8 was charged to schools and churches for use of the hall, $5 rent per week was charged to movie representatives for showing movies to the public, the Grange members bought binder twine in bulk to sell to members at a reduced rate, and much more. In 1926 $450 was paid on the hall; and in 1927 the Board of Trustees recommended that $100 be paid on the hall quarterly. In 1930, it was decided to have a food booth at the Great Frederick Fair. Since that time the New Market Grange has operated a food booth and participated in the Frederick County Pomona Grange exhibit during the fair. In 1931 the Treasurer reported that all Grange funds were tied up in the Central Trust Company Closure. With the closure of the Central Trust Company in October 1934 the trustees were directed to place a $500 mortgage on the hall with the Domestic Building Association. In 1939 Mt. Pleasant Grange surrendered their charter and asked permission to join New Market Grange. At last in 1940 the New Market Grange celebrated their 20th Anniversary with a covered dish supper, the program included installation of officers and remarks by State Master Brooks and Pomona Master Edward F. Holter. In 1941 a mortgage burning ceremony was held boasting the accomplishments of the members, State Master Roy Brooks was the speaker and a covered dish supper marked the occasion. The New Market Grange since its humble beginnings has been a great supporter of the community. During World War II the Grange Hall was used as a first aid station, and was set up as a place for blood donations. A resolution was passed supporting the construction of a Vocational Agricultural shop at Frederick High School, and in 1949 the Grange recommended that the Board of Education teach driver training in all schools. In the 50’s Walter Burall donated one acre of land on Route 75, just 2 miles north of New Market, to the Grange for the purpose of planting trees as a memorial to those who served in World War II. Over the next few years the Grange Hall was used by the Board of Education as an extra classroom until a new addition was built to the New Market Elementary School. Something else happened in the 50’s that set the New Market Grange on a new venture. They purchased a 3 ½ lot for a new hall. On April 12, 1961, the Grange voted to sell the old hall and build a new one. After much consideration, the hall was sold in July 1963 for the sum of $7,000 with a one year option. Final settlement was made in June 1964. In the late summer ground was broken on the lot for the construction of the new hall. Mr. Charles Taylor, a local building contractor, was hired to supervise the construction with a lot of the work done by the Grange members. The cost of the new hall was $22,139.74; $10,500 was borrowed to pay for it. The first meeting in the new Grange Hall was held on April 14, 1965. The hall was dedicated on October 10, 1965, with State Master Lionel Burgess Acting as the Dedication Officer and the Worthy National Master Herschel Newsom presenting the address. The mortgage on the new hall was paid off in 1972, marked by a mortgage burning ceremony. The New Market Grange along with Linganore Grange joined forces with the Linganore High School FFA Chapter and FFA Alumni to start a Community Show. The community show to this day is still in full swing, with the Granges still serving supper for the event. In the fall of 1982 main floor bathrooms were added to the hall at a cost of $12,000. In May of 1983, in an effort to have a new Post Office located in the Town limits the Grange submitted a bid to have the building located on land adjacent to the Grange Hall. In the spring of 1988, a handicapped ramp was added to the entrance of the hall, and new shrubbery and trees replaced the old. The 80’s were marked by a commitment to help meet community needs with an average of $1,800 in contributions annually. Through the 1990’s until present time Betty Thompson, Scott Burall, and Richard Stonebraker chaired community service programs that won first place in the State Grange Community Involvement Program. Efforts to increase membership in the late 90’s and to date have resulted in welcoming 67 new members while losing 41, giving us a gain of 26 members. The main floor of the hall is rented out more than 100 times a year yielding a net annual income of about $10,000. Our annual budget provides for about $10,000 to support community activities and about $19,000 for the maintenance of the hall for community use. Dictionaries are given to all third grade students in the four local elementary schools and college scholarships of $500 to $1,000 are given to student members annually. We work closely with our local high school FFA members and encourage them to become members of the Grange. Former Linganore FFA President and former Maryland State FFA Vice President Richard Stonebraker served as New Market, Frederick County Pomona, and Maryland State Grange Youth Director, becoming the youngest State Youth Director at the age of 16 and the youngest individual to hold a state office in Maryland at the age of 18. From 2010 until present time, the New Market Grange has been hard at work updating the Grange Hall and its grounds. The parking lot was repaved in fall 2014, new flower beds were created and filled with new plants in spring 2015. Inside the hall painting has taken place, floors refinished, and new curtains purchased to replace the old. New Market Grange as you can tell has had many accomplishments and accolades in its 90 year history. The fact is that the Grange would not have been what it was, is and will be with out its members. New Market Has been fortunate to have members active on every level and in any way possible. We look back to celebrate our past tonight, and as we leave this celebration let us look forward to the years and accomplishments to come!
