175-year old building gets extreme repair plans

Friends of the Montague Grange pull together to raise funds to repair the building for the next 100 years.

In 1936 the Montague Grange purchased the hall at 36 Main Street from the Unitarian Church. This hall, built in 1835, has undergone many upgrades and roof replacements in that time. However, time is beginning to tell on the foundation and in the walls. Major repairs and upgrades are needed if this building is going to see its 200th birthday, in 2035.  Help us make that happen.

How You Can Help

There are many ways you can help the Friends raise the funds to do all the necessary repairs to make the hall the cozy, comfy place it could be for all our community and social events.

• Join the Friends of the Montague Grange. It's only $25 a year -- about $2 a month!
   
• Participate in an event. We have many events planned throughout the year, and we welcome your participation. Coordinating events, gathering talent, baking goods to sell at events, designing and printing posters, making lawn signs... so many ways to help and join in the growing community of people joining to help save and restore this historic building.
   
• Donate your skills. We have many cleanup and construction projects that could benefit from your skills. Carpenters, painters, interior designers, etc. Let us know how you can help.
   
• Donate money. We need to raise over $100,000 over the next few years. Becoming a member of the Friends is great, but larger donations would help us gain serious ground towards our goal. Call us to discuss a large donation, or simply send a check to FMG, 181 Meadow Road, Montague, MA 01351.
   
• Set up a matching-funds grant. If you are a bank or other institution who can set up a matching-funds grant, we want to hear from you. Please call Mik at 413-320-5336 or Conor at 413-367-0152.

Events planned for 2010

The Friends of the Montague Grange are always thinking of good fundraising events to hold that are fun for the public and good for the hall. To the right you can sample a list of upcoming events. Please make an effort to come on out and participate. The hall is there for you!

Skills Sharing Workshop Series

In partnership with the Transition Montague leadership, the Montague Grange is planning a twice-monthly skills-sharing workshop in all aspects of self-reliancy, including farming and food storing / canning, hunting and meat preparation, basic carpentry and electrical, and many other things.

If you have a skill that you would like to share, or would like to take any or all of the classes, please fill out the contact form and we'll put you on the list for workshop notification. Most workshops will be a low-fee entry ($5 or something) but some may cost more.