Skamokawa Spotlight: The once and future Grange

The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw the rise of a new social organization across the United States. The National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry, or National Grange, was founded in 1867 to promote progress and cooperation in sectors vital to rural communities. Most prominent among these campaigns were advancements in agriculture, although the Grange also lobbied for other causes. Among these was free national mail delivery to rural areas.

Though the National Grange has remained a living organization, a decline in Grange membership has accompanied the decline of American farming. Since its early years, the National Grange maintained financial security by way of dues paid by members. Each of the 36 states with Grange halls had an official State Grange which received funding from community, or Subordinate Granges.The State Grange, in turn, funded the National Grange based in Washington, DC. When a Subordinate Grange could no longer pay its dues, the State Grange turned the building over to the private market. Many Grange halls across the country fell into disrepair, or changed hands in this manner. In Wahkiakum County, two examples included the Granges of Puget Island and the Elochoman Valley.

About nine years ago, Skamokawa Grange #425 was rescued from the brink of closure. Following a lapse in membership, a new board of Grange officers assembled to revitalize the building as a community space. Today, many Wahkiakum County residents know the Skamokawa Grange as a venue for public and private events, including community breakfasts, birthday parties, music concerts, and rummage sales. Nevertheless, the future of the Grange still rests on the efforts of members and volunteers, and much work is needed to maintain the integrity of the building itself.

In a recent monthly meeting of the Skamokawa Grange board, ongoing restoration was central to the discussion. The board's outlook was one of optimism, as much progress has been made on this front already. As recently as September 2025, a goal to insulate the Grange attic was accomplished. The hall was built in 1948 with no insulation. By installing insulation, the attic's R-value, or thermal resistance per unit area, was upgraded from R-0 to R-49. This meant that far less heat could now escape through the roof, reducing energy bills and improving the comfort of attendants. Funding for the insulation was made possible by another recent improvement. In 2022, two electric heat pumps were installed, replacing an oil furnace that formerly supplied all heat to the building. This conversion to electric heat made the Grange eligible for an insulation rebate program. The Wahkiakum Public Utilities District (PUD) funded $7,220 of the cost needed to insulate the attic, with the remaining $5,684 being paid for by the Grange treasury.

Future measures to restore and improve the Skamokawa Grange have been identified by Project Manager Kimberley Howell. Howell submitted a plan to the Washington State Grange identifying a Phase 1 of building restoration. This first phase was estimated to cost $45,000. Of this, $35,000 was used for the abatement of the hall's asbestos siding, and $10,000 for wrapping the building after asbestos removal. Howell chose strategic timing in submitting this plan. Small projects - those costing less than $50,000 - have a better chance of approval in Washington State's two-year budget. As 2025 marks the end of the state's current two-year budget, Phase 2 of the restoration plan may be submitted in early 2026.

This second phase of restoring the Skamokawa Grange could address some of the building's most critical disrepairs. The Grange has weathered literal storms; floods in 1996 and 2006 washed away soil beneath the west annex of the building. This moved the foundation of the annex seven inches below level at its farthest end. The flooding also resulted in widespread dry rot. Given the extensive nature of the damage, Grange officers are laying plans to utilize the Grange's own treasury to help cover the cost of repairs.

As a small organization relying on a small treasury, financial support is crucial to all of the planned improvements to the Skamokawa Grange. The Grange keeps member dues at a minimum of $50 per person per year, which means that 100 percent of dues go to the Washington State Grange to maintain eligibility. Therefore, the Grange Treasury is maintained through other means: rentals for events, fundraisers, individual donations, and rummage sales, the last of which occur on a basis of product inventory. To help raise funds for the restoration effort, Project Manager Howell and Skamokawa Grange Treasurer Becky Ledtke recently launched a GoFundMe page. The page may be found by accessing the Skamokawa Grange #425 Facebook page, or by visiting gofundme.com and searching 'Skamokawa Grange.' Those interested in helping the Grange may also consider donating items for rummage sales, volunteering time at Grange events, renting the space for a personal event, or enrolling as Grange members. An individual does not have to reside in Skamokawa to enroll as a Grange member. For questions regarding membership, rentals and volunteering, contact Becky Ledtke at 360-560-0371 or by emailing beckyhsjewelry@yahoo.com.