HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning 2020+Grange+Insert+for+newsletter (1) - 3 Great Pond - Miscellaneous - 3 GREAT POND ROAD 11/10/2020
Founded in 1886 when North Andover was still a farming community, the North Andover Order of the Patrons of
Husbandry No. 128 (AKA “the Grange”) was a vibrant flourishing organization. In 1911 they built their own
assembly hall with two large open meeting rooms at 3 Great Pond Road in the Old Center. The Grange prospered
for the next fifty years hosting lectures, committee meetings, and parties for both its members and anyone will to
pay the modest rental fee. Record books show significant rental income from individuals and organizations.
After World War II, North Andover evolved from a rural community with many farms to a residential community.
Western Electric was built in 1953 providing employment for over ten thousand people. Farms were transformed
into housing developments. Membership declined. In 1984 the North Andover Chapter #128 voted to disband.
The chapter approached the North Andover Historical Society about buying the building. The society said yes
because they wanted to preserve this symbol of our town’s long farming heritage. The society expected that the
income from rentals would continue to be sufficient to properly maintain the building. This proved to not be the
case, most likely because there is very little parking on the property or nearby. As the society explored rental
prospects, it became clear that the original use as an
assembly hall was no longer financially viable. The
building will need to adapt to a new use, which will
most likely be multifamily residential. As the society
believes that being a residential landlord is not in its
core mission, the building with some restrictions will
be sold to a new owner.
Happily, the iconic exterior will remain in the Old
Center to remind the passerby of the stories of the
Barkers, the Farnums and all the North Andover
farm families who once lived here. As part of its
Farm Legacy project, the society is writing a booklet about the North Andover chapter 128 of the Grange, which
has a targeted publication date of January 2021.