Gift for the Grangers

The Grange was a trade and social association of farmers whose cohesion was modeled on the fraternity of Masonry, as indicated by this symbol-rich promotional poster. Its genesis came in the immediate aftermath of the Civil War, when Secretary of Agriculture Oliver Kelly was touring devastated farms of the Confederate South. He envisioned it helping to heal sectional wounds, transmit agricultural knowledge, and represent farmers at a time when industrial interests like railroads and brokers were diverting much of their profits. The first Grange Hall was formed in Fredonia, NY in 1868 and by 1878 the organization had more than 850,000 members.

Here we see a stern-faced yeoman farmer, whose motto "I Pay for All" suggest the depth of outrage at agriculture's lack of representation in the national economy. Surrounding the central image are a number of vignettes that are distinguished for their focus upon building social cohesion; this item includes cropped portions showing "Farmer's Fireside" and "Harvest Dance" to illustrate that innovation. There are also many symbolic features showing the influence of Masonry: the mythical figures of Flora (flowers), Ceres (grain), and Pomona (fruit) above the farmer; a Grange meeting shown at upper right; and matched columns at bottom whose letters stand for Patrons of Husbandry. The grange movement diminished in size and influence along with the number of farmers, but there remain an estimated 150,000 members at 1,500 chapters nationwide.

J. Hale Powers & Co.

Chromolithograph