DARTMOUTH— The Sippican Pomona Grange celebrated its 100th anniversary on Saturday, April 1 by sharing the history of each of the associated granges including Dartmouth.

The Sippican Pomona Grange #31 is a regional grange consisting of granges in Dartmouth, Acushnet, East Freetown, Rochester, South Middleboro and Westport. 

According to state grange president Glenn Gibson, although the granges primarily focused on agriculture community work, members of the Sippican Pomona Grange have contributed to a number of community needs including support for veterans, affiliation with local Boy Scout troops, agricultural fairs and more.

The Dartmouth Grange was established in 1888 by N.B Douglas. The first grange was located at Potters Hall on the South West corner of Horseneck Road and Russells Mills Road, wrote Dartmouth Grange President Sam Manley in a prepared statement. 

The current hall, located on 1133 Fisher Road was purchased by the Dartmouth Grange in  1889.

According to Manley’s statement, The grange received “overwhelming support” to rebuild the kitchen which was destroyed in a fire in 2001. The kitchen is now a shared-use commercial space that is used by food entrepreneurs and startup businesses.

“Dartmouth Grange continues to provide opportunities for its members and friends to socialize and build a stronger sense of community,” wrote Manley.

Sippican Pomona Grange was first established in 1923 by Reid Dana Macafee of the Marion Grange according to Sippican Pomona Grange president Sue LaFleur. 

Gibson said that  the Sippican Pomona Grange is known for its “impressive fifth degree.” The fifth degree is a ceremony performed by grange members to begin or “open” a meeting. 

“Reaching our 100th anniversary in 2023 is an accomplishment and a source of great pride for the members of Sippican,” Gibson said. “Their commitment to the organization and their donation of time and resources to prepare and share information and their sponsored programs have benefited the community.”

Although Gibson said that since the pandemic membership has dropped across Sippican Pomona granges, he is hopeful for the grange's future. 

“We will persevere,” said Gibson.