Bridgewater Grange Members Step Up to Save Historic Grange Hall

BRIDGEWATER, CT, November 24, 2020 – When the Town took a step toward demolition of the Bridgewater Grange Hall by condemning the building in 2017, it was saved by a grass roots effort that is now culminating in the formation of the Bridgewater Grange Preservation Association, a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to the restoration and preservation of the building for community use.

Anyone who has driven into Bridgewater, CT through the intersection of Main Street and Hat Shop Hill Road can appreciate why this big white clapboard building was singled out for recognition. The structure evokes the authentic utilitarian aesthetics of the mid-19th century farming community who built it.

Built in 1854 as a meeting house before the incorporation of the town, the building is located on the Green between Main and Center Streets, in the heart of Bridgewater. Over time, in keeping with the New England way, the building was re-purposed as a meeting place, town hall, school and grange hall.

In 1901 the local Grange organization purchased the building, and it became the home of Bridgewater Grange #153. In 1999, Bridgewater Grange Hall was sold to the town for $1 with the understanding that the town would maintain the building and the Grange organization would always be able to call it home. This did happen – for a while. The town performed some maintenance on the building initially but since, has allowed it to fall into such disrepair that the building is condemned and the town is now proposing demolition.

Since having to vacate the building in 2017 after the structure was condemned, the Grange organization has had to rent space next door at St. Mark’s Church for meetings and to hold events. The Grange hosts many events throughout the year for the Town including Roast Beef Dinners, the annual Citizen of the Year Award, the Scholarship Award, the Easter Egg Hunt for children, the popular Chili Cook-off, Cocoa with Santa during the Christmas tree lighting, and a reading of “The Night Before Christmas” at the library. The Grange also delivers holiday baskets to homebound residents in Bridgewater and New Milford.

Several members of the Bridgewater Grange have been working steadily to create a 501(c)3 organization, called The Bridgewater Grange Preservation Association, that will spearhead the efforts to renovate the building and maintain it, going forward, as a community center and home for the Grange. Together with grants, local fund drives, and events, the Grange has expressed optimism they can bring this beautiful, historic building back to life in the heart of town.

“Saving the Bridgewater Grange Hall is important because it is a reminder that we are still an agrarian community and that status is important to the community today just as it was when this building was built, 166 years ago” said Neil Olshansky, spokesman for the Bridgewater Grange Preservation Association. Bridgewater features numerous agricultural and livestock farms.

The Connecticut State Historic Preservation Office and Preservation Connecticut, another non-profit, are supporting Bridgewater’s efforts to save the Grange Hall. With a team of historic architects, engineers, and construction experts providing structural analysis, design input and pricing, they have created a 3-phase plan for a complete restoration.

Peggy Zottola, Master of the Bridgewater Grange stated “The project cost presented by the Town was far out of range for what the building requires and this has led people in the community to think it is unreachable. It is not. If we work together, we can make it happen. Yes, there is a lot of work to be done but we are willing to put the time in to save this building and, more importantly, save the ambiance of Bridgewater as a small, New England town”.

For information on how you can support the efforts to save the historic Bridgewater Grange Hall, please contact Peggy Zottola at (914) 772-5280, or email pegzo@aol.com.

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The Bridgewater Grange Preservation Association is a 501(c)3 in formation, a non-profit organized to rehabilitate and operate the historic Bridgewater Grange Hall as a community center. For information on how you can support the efforts to save the historic Bridgewater Grange Hall, please contact Peggy Zottola at (914) 772-5280, or email pegzo@aol.com.

The Bridgewater Grange #153 is observing its 120-year anniversary of service to the Bridgewater community this year. For information on The Bridgewater Grange #153, please visit www.bridgewatergrange.org or contact Peggy Zottola at (914) 772-5280, or email pegzo@aol.com.