Chico Grange Records
MSS.302
Finding aid prepared by Leilani Silver
California State University, Chico, Special Collections, Meriam Library
400 West First Street
Chico, CA, 95929-0295
(530) 898-6342
SpecialCollections@csuchico.edu
May 14, 2010
Title: Chico Grange Records
Identifier/Call Number: MSS.302
Contributing Institution:
California State University, Chico, Special Collections, Meriam Library
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
7.13 linear ft.
12 Boxes
Date (inclusive): 1932-1993
Abstract: The Chico Grange was established in 1932 to give support and create opportunities for the rural and agricultural communities
of Butte County. The collection consists of organizational records for Chico Grange 1932-1993, including minutes, reports,
membership, correspondence, financial, journals, handbooks and scrapbooks.
creator:
Chico Grange.
Arrangement
The Chico Grange records were previously stored in an old freezer, behind the stage, formerly the porch area of the Old Bidwell
Schoolhouse. Grange member Jon Luvaas performed the preliminary arrangement. The materials in each rough series were placed
in a box together. Many of the materials were already in folders and booklets, which were not re-foldered. Records that were
loose or kept in an envelope were re-foldered.
Arranged by Series:
Series 1: Organization, Boxes 1-5
Series 2: Membership/Financial, Boxes 6-7
Series 3: Activities, Boxes 8-10
Series 4: Scrapbooks, Boxes 11-12
Biographical/Historical note
The National Grange or the National Order of the Patrons of Husbandry, founded in 1866 by Oliver Hudson Kelly, has a rich
history in building opportunity and bringing equality for farm and rural communities. It grew out of agricultural discontent
in the Middle West that focused on efforts to battle railroads and grain elevators. Since its inception this fraternal society
has worked toward the educational, social, and economic betterment of agricultural people, as well as for the welfare of all.
The National Grange has had significant influence on local, state, and national legislature, which lead to the passing of
the Granger Laws, as well as the first state and national control of all public utilities. It is a family organization and
brings together men and women of all ages. It was the first American association of any kind to work for equality and justice
for women, and the first to admit women with full membership equal to that of a man. There are five levels of Granges: National,
State, Pomona, Subordinate, and Junior. They all follow the organization, rituals, and programs set forth by the National
Grange.
The Chico Grange, a subordinate of the National Grange, is known as a community service organization, with a mission to promote
healthy local agriculture, environmental stewardship, and a vibrant community. Chico Grange #486 is one of the Granges established
in Butte County. First known as the Shasta Union Grange #486, it was officially recognized on May 31, 1932. In 1937, a name
change was made to Chico Grange #486. The Shasta Union Schoolhouse was the first meeting place of the Grange. When they had
outgrown the schoolhouse, members bought the Sacramento Schoolhouse on Nord and Sacramento avenues in 1937. In 1954 the Chico
Grange bought its current home, the Bidwell Schoolhouse located at the cross roads of Nord and Rodeo Avenues. The Chico Grange
has provided the community with social, cultural and educational opportunities, as well as entertainment, emergency shelter,
and a meeting place. There are special programs for youth, young adults and women. They have been involved in political activism
and have successfully influenced both state and local policy. The Chico Grange has always been heavily involved in community
service. The Women’s Committee regularly raised money for charity organizations by having pie socials, quilt raffles, dinners,
and variety shows. Some of the charities include the Muscular Dystrophy Association, American Heart Association, American
Lung Association, American Cancer Society, and the March of Dimes. The Relief Committee raised money to help needy families
struggling from the depression. In the early 1930’s there was a great need for agricultural financial assistance, so Chico
Grange members helped to organize the formation of Butte County Federal Credit Union in 1935. In the 1950’s members could
purchase discounted items, such as gasoline, tires, machinery, spray materials, etc. from the Grange Business Organization.
Access Restrictions
Collection is open for research without restriction.
Usage Restrictions
No restrictions.
Acquisition
Gift of Chico Grange #486, 2010
Immediate Source of Acquisition note
Chico Grange member Jon Luvaas
Preferred Citation note
Chico Grange Records, MSS 302, Special Collections, Meriam Library, California State University, Chico.
Processing Information note
Processed by: Pamela Nett Kruger and Leilani Silver, May 2010
Related Archival Materials note
Northeastern California Historical Photograph Collection, Old Bidwell School, May 1953, call number sc21032, Special Collections,
Meriam Library, California State University, Chico.
California State Grange, 67th Annual Convention Bulletin 1939, Chico, California, call number S39 A2 1939 (N.E.Cal.), Special
Collections N.E. Cal, Meriam Library, California State University, Chico.
Scope and Contents note
The collection covers the period of time, between 1932 and 1993. The records in this collection were arranged in four series:
organization, membership/financial, activities, and scrapbooks. The organization records consist of National and California
State Grange master’s speech, programs, journals of proceedings, handbooks, and rosters. It includes lecturer’s bulletins,
resolutions, by-laws, constitution, and rituals. It also contains the Chico Grange meeting minutes, reports, correspondence
and local history. The membership and financial records consist of roll books, dues account books, and quarterly reports.
There are also membership applications and cancellations. Samples of loans and payments are also included. The activity records
contain skits, awards, community service programs, and song sheets. A majority of the activity records consist of the Committee
of Women’s Activities and the Women’s Home Economic Club. They include minutes, reports, programs, contests, and financial
records. The assortment of scrapbooks covers the history of the Chico Grange from 1932-1993, and includes information about
officers, members, committees, and important aspects of Grange life. There are also photographs, fair ribbons, and newspaper
clippings.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
California State Grange.
Chico Grange.
National Grange.
Shasta Union Grange.
Agriculture--California--Sacramento Valley
Chico (Calif.)--History.
Series 1: Organization
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
5.0 boxes
Box 1
Organization
Language of Material:
English
Folder 1: Lecturer's Bulletins,
1973-1976
Folder 2: Lecturer's Bulletins,
1963, 1964, 1970, 1977, and 1980
Folder 3: Bulletins and Other,
1971 and 1974
Folder 5: Resolutions,
1967 and 1971
Box 2
Organization
Language of Material:
English
Folder 1: Lecturer,
1965, 1967, and 1977
Folder 2: Grange Information and Rituals, Constitution and By-Laws
Folder 3: Model Grange By-Laws
Folder 4: California State Grange Leadership Guide,
1963
Folder 5: Officers 1955-1956, and Rosters, 1967, 1969, 1970, 1976, 1977, and 1980
Folder 6: Handbook and Roster,
1978
Folder 7: National Grange Programs,
1962, 1964-1965, and 1967-1973
Folder 8: Grange Leader's Handbook,
1973-1977
Folder 9: California State Convention Master's Speech and Program,
1965-1969, 1971, and 1973
Folder 10: The Grange: First Century of Service and Evolution,
1867-1967
Folder 11: Guide to Programs and Contests,
1978, and 1980-1982
Folder 12: 1972 Digest of the Patrons of Husbandry: Adopted and issued by The National Grange, and Blue Book
Folder 13: Journal of Proceedings, California State Grange,
1967, 1968, 1970, 1975, 1976, 1977, and 1978
Folder 14: Journal of Proceedings, National Grange,
1966, 1967, 1970, 1971, 1975, 1976, and 1977
Box 3
Minutes
Language of Material:
English
Item 1: Secretary Record, Minutes,
June 1932-November 1934
Item 2: Secretary Record, Minutes (Shasta Union Grange),
November 1934-December 1937
Item 3: Secretary Record, Minutes,
January 1938-October 1940
Item 4: Minutes,
January 1951-December 1952
Item 5: Minutes,
January 1953-November 1955
Folder 6: Minutes,
1956-1957
Folder 7: Minutes,
1957-1958
Box 4
Minutes
Language of Material:
English
Item 1: Subordinate Grange Record Book, Minutes,
December 1960-December 1961
Item 2: Minutes,
January 1962-December 1963
Folder 3: Minutes, includes California Grange News (commemorating 1894),
1969
Folder 5: Minutes,
January 1973-September 1973
Folder 6: Minutes,
October 1973-December 1975
Folder 7: Minutes,
1976-1978
Folder 8: Minutes,
January 1979-December 1983
Folder 12: Minutes,
January 1987-November 1989
Folder 13: Minutes,
1991-1992
Box 5
Correspondence
Language of Material:
English
Folder 1: Correspondence, includes various receipts
Folder 2: Correspondence, includes various receipts
Item 3: Correspondence and Local History
Series 2: Membership and Financial
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
2.0 boxes
Box 6
Membership and Financial
Language of Material:
English
Item 1: Roll Book,
1932-1944
Item 2: Roll Book,
1945-1953
Item 3: Roll Book,
1953-1971
Item 4: Dues Account Book, (Shasta Union Grange),
1932-1940
Item 5: Dues Account Book,
1946-1949
Folder 6: Quarterly Reports,
June 1944-December 1956
Folder 7: Quarterly Reports,
March 1956-December 1956
Folder 8: Quarterly Reports,
March 1957-December 1960
Item 9: Quarterly Reports,
March 1961-December 1962
Item 10: Quarterly Reports,
March 1963-December 1964
Item 11: Quarterly Reports,
March 1965-December 1965
Item 12: Quarterly Reports,
December 1973-December 1975
Item 13: Quarterly Reports,
March 1976-December 1978
Item 14: Quarterly Reports,
March 1979-June 1980
Envelope 15: Quarterly Reports,
1980-1984
Envelope 16: Quarterly Reports,
1985-1986
Envelope 17: Quarterly Reports,
1991-1993
Item 18: Membership Cards (record of dues paid)
Box 7
Membership and Financial
Language of Material:
English
Folder 1: Membership Committee Handbook and Membership Application Packets (Samples)
Folder 2: Member Information
Folder 3: Membership Applications and Cancellations,
1965-1966, and 1975-1979
Folder 4: Membership Applications and Cancellations,
1980-1984
Folder 5: Membership Applications and Cancellations,
1985-1987, and 1989-1992
Folder 6: Membership Correspondence, includes letter of cancellation
Folder 7: Loans, Membership, and Payments (Samples)
Series 3: Activities
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
3.0 boxes
Box 8
Activities
Language of Material:
English
Folder 1: Community Service
Folder 3: Youth Community Service
Folder 5: National Grange Song Sheets
Box 9
Committee of Women's Activities
Language of Material:
English
Folder 1: Committee of Women’s Activities, Minutes,
1968
Item 2: Committee of Women’s Activities, Financial Records,
1970-1979
Folder 3: Committee of Women’s Activities, Minutes,
1971
Folder 4: Committee of Women’s Activities, Minutes,
1972-1973
Folder 5: Committee of Women’s Activities, Minutes,
October 1973-September 1975
Folder 6: Committee of Women’s Activities, Reports,
1973-1974
Folder 7: Committee of Women’s Activities, Recognition Report,
1973-1974
Item 8: Committee of Women’s Activities, Minutes,
1974
Folder 9: Committee of Women’s Activities, Reports,
1973-1976
Folder 10: Committee of Women’s Activities, Minutes,
1975-1976
Folder 11: Committee of Women’s Activities, Programs, and Contests,
1975-1976
Folder 12: Committee of Women’s Activities, Minutes,
1976-1978
Item 13: Committee of Women’s Activities, Minutes,
1978-1980
Item 14: Committee of Women’s Activities, Minutes,
1979-1987
Folder 15: Committee of Women’s Activities, Minutes,
1981-1982
Folder 16: Committee of Women’s Activities, Minutes,
1982-1983
Folder 17: Committee of Women’s Activities, Minutes,
1986-1992
Folder 18: Committee of Women’s Activities, no date
Folder 19: Committee of Women’s Activities Awards
Item 20: Committee of Women’s Activities Guest Book
Box 10
Women's Home Economic Club
Language of Material:
English
Item 1: Women’s Home Economic Club, Minutes (Shasta Women’s Club),
1934-1939
Item 2: Women’s Home Economic Club Journal, Minutes,
1947-1949
Item 3: Women’s Home Economic Club, Financial Records,
1944-1958
Item 4: Women’s Home Economic Club Membership Information,
1951
Item 5: Women’s Home Economic Club, Minutes,
1952-1957
Item 6: Women’s Home Economic Club, Minutes,
1957-1958
Item 7: Women’s Home Economic Club, Financial Records,
1958-1970
Folder 8: Women’s Home Economic Club, Minutes,
1958-1961
Folder 9: Women’s Home Economic Club, Minutes,
1965-1967
Folder 10: Women’s Home Economic Club, Book of Dinners,
1962-1979
Series 4: Scrapbooks
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
2.0 boxes
Box 11
Scrapbooks
Language of Material:
English
Item 1: Chico Grange History Book, includes information about officers, members, and committees,
1932-1960
Item 2: Chico Grange History Scrapbook,
1960-1971
Box 12
Scrapbooks
Language of Material:
English
Item 1: Guest Book, with photos
Folder 2: Fair Ribbons, includes photograph of a table display,
1930’s and 1940
Folder 3: Publicity and Newspaper Clippings,
1968, 1972-1973, and 1976-1977
Item 5: 50th Anniversary Scrapbook,
1932-1982
