About the Twisp Valley Grange
The Twisp Valley Grange fosters a healthy community by sharing fellowship and providing a welcoming Grange Hall for gatherings, hosting family-friendly activities, and sponsoring educational events.
OFFICERS
Dwight Filer, President
Terry Dixon, Vice President
Val Hecker, Treasurer
Mary Jane Perry, Secretary
BOARD MEMBERS
Kim Claussen
Susan Finn
George Schoenfeld
Mark Tesch
Web Manager & Special Projects Director
Mary Jane Perry
The Grange was founded in 1867 to help farmers and to give them a unified political voice. It was the first organization in the U.S. that allowed women in leadership positions and allowed people of color to become members. Grange halls were THE center of social activity in rural America.
The Grange’s political accomplishments include regulating prices railroads could charge for shipping farm products to market, establishment of Rural Free Delivery by the Post Office, passage of the Rural Electrification R Act of 1936. There are strong ties between the Grange and the Chautauqua movement; these events often occurred in Grange halls. The Future Farmers of America had its beginnings in the Grange.
The Washington State Grange was founded in 1889, several months before Washington became a state. In 1911 the Twisp Valley Grange was established, and at one time was one of 13 Granges in the Methow Valley. The Twisp Valley Grange originally met in the "Opera House" located near where the feed store stands now.
The present hall construction was begun in 1948 but was not completely finished until 1965. While laying the block walls, a windstorm blew over the west wall and destroyed the floor and joist work. The Grangers met in the basement for a decade. They would bring hatchets and clean the mortar off the blocks before resetting them. They raised funds selling hamburgers at the rodeo grounds on the bench above the present hall.
In 2007 the roof was replaced, the rafters extended and the ceiling insulated. In 2023 two heat pumps and air cleaning systems will be installed and the emergency backstairs will be replaced.
Code of Conduct for Twisp Valley Grange Hall Patrons
Policy:
Our policy is to welcome every member of the community to use and enjoy the Grange Hall. Patrons may or will be asked to leave if they engage in disruptive or disrespectful behavior on Grange property.
Purpose:
The purpose of this policy is to establish a Code of Conduct for patrons and to give examples of prohibited behaviors that could interfere with the safe, secure, pleasant and respectful use of Grange property. All patrons are expected to follow the Code of Conduct set forth in this policy. Each patron using Grange property is responsible for their behavior and the behavior of children in their care.
Statement of Policy:
1. Patrons are prohibited from engaging in disruptive behavior on Grange property – including the building and land. Disruptive behavior includes any behavior that may unreasonably interfere with any Grange activities or facilities, or the comfort or safety of volunteer staff and other patrons. Whether conduct is deemed unreasonable will be determined at the sole discretion of volunteer staff.
2. Patrons are required to comply with all current public health mandates, laws, or regulations issued by federal, state, or local authorities.
The following are examples of conduct not allowed on Twisp Valley Grange premises, including land and building:
o Behaving in a way that is unsafe, disruptive, or prohibited by law.
o Behaving in a way that is likely to cause personal injury to oneself or others.
o Using hostile, aggressive, lewd or vulgar language or gestures, threatening or harassing behavior, including sexual harassment.
o Physically or verbally assaulting staff or patrons.
o Interfering with staff or patrons access to or exit from the property.
o Soliciting (e.g. sales, canvassing, or activities of a political or religious nature), including distributing or posting notices that are not authorized by the Grange.
o Bringing firearms or weapons of any kind onto the property.
o Consuming or selling alcohol on the premises, unless the necessary Washington State Liquor license and Grange-required insurance policy have been acquired for an event.
o Using or selling marijuana or a controlled substance or being visibly intoxicated or impaired due to alcohol, marijuana, or other controlled substance.
o Using tobacco products or electronic cigarettes in the building or on the premises.
o Bringing animals other than service animals into the hall.
Failure to comply with the Code of Conduct may result in removal from the premises, including the building and land.