By Terri Fassio, Co-Director, Public Relations Committee

Granges can greatly benefit from safeguarding their historical photos and documents. These records offer insights into their mission/vision, community impact, and historical evolution, serving as powerful tools for fundraising, storytelling, and

future engagement.

Types of Historical Materials:

• Photographs: Past events, members, meetings, community support
• Documents: Meeting minutes, reports, newsletters, legal papers
• Audio/Visuals: Videos, film,
• audio recordings
• Artifacts and memorabilia: Objects related to the Grange’s history
• Importance of Your History:
• Your Grange’s history can:
• Inspire new fundraising ideas
• Prevent repeated mistakes
• Provide compelling stories for online content, thus attracting visitors and supporters who may become members or donors
• The Unique Value of Digital Archives:
• Many Granges, some 140+ years old, hold their histories in boxes, display cases, or in the memories of long-time members. Digitizing these materials preserves stories that might otherwise be lost due to disasters or the passing of members. A digital archive broadens understanding of the Grange’s impact, both within the community and beyond.
• What to Save:
• Start with routine records like meeting minutes, financial statements, and lists of officers.
• Consider also documenting:
• Fundraising efforts and
• outcomes
• Community service projects
• Member histories and
• recordings of their memories
• The founding story and Grange
• milestones over the years
• Building the Archive:
• It can be a year-long project of the membership, or the task of just a few volunteers, but creating a digital archive is a gradual process that involves inventorying, cataloging, and digitizing materials. Once collected, share these stories via website, social media, print, and physical displays. For example, identify  unknown  individuals in photos and ask followers for help.  This  engagement  deepens community ties and may even uncover new Grange connections.
• Leveraging Your Archive:
• A well-maintained digital archive can offer Grange outreach opportunities. Highlight stories that helped members as well as helping the Grange as a whole — stories that resonate and can perhaps inspire donations. Ultimately, preserving history not only honors the past but also secures a thriving future for your Grange.