Oaklawn Grange celebrates 100 years

Meri R. Kennedy
Posted 12/11/14

On Dec. 6, approximately 50 members and friends celebrated the 100th year of the Oaklawn Grange’s home in Cranston and a surprise 100th birthday party for Helen M. Rathbun. Rathbun and her family …

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Oaklawn Grange celebrates 100 years

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On Dec. 6, approximately 50 members and friends celebrated the 100th year of the Oaklawn Grange’s home in Cranston and a surprise 100th birthday party for Helen M. Rathbun. Rathbun and her family have been an integral part of the Oaklawn Grange throughout its history.

During the event, Grange member and House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello presented special citations to Rathbun and the Grange. Carlos Lopez, Mayor Allan Fung’s chief of staff, provided the city’s greetings and a pair of citations.

The Oaklawn Grange was organized in 1909 by 38 people who met at the Old Meeting House, at the location of what is now the Oaklawn Baptist Church. At that time, Oaklawn was a farming community, and the church donated the meeting house as a place of fellowship.

In 1910, the church was renovated and electrical lights were installed, with the Grange donating $75 toward the cause. In 1911, the Grange grew to 80 members and made its influence felt in the community. At this time, a fund was started for the purpose of building a new hall.

In 1912, the membership reached 115, and a parcel of land – the present location of the Grange – was purchased for $100. The next year, construction started, and on May 26, 1914, the first meeting was held in the new hall.

Money was raised through suppers, fairs, dances and other means. Membership continued to grow, and the hall was finally completed in 1920. In 1941, the mortgage on the new facility was burned.

Along with celebrating the 100th anniversary, members of the Oaklawn Grange also celebrated the 100th birthday of Rathbun, who was born May 9, 1914 in Cranston and is a direct descent of Roger Williams.

She resided her with her parents growing up on Oaklawn Avenue in Meschanticut. Her grandparents also lived in Meschanticut and had joined both the Providence Grange and the Cranston Grange after it was organized. Her aunt, Mary Rathbun Hobday, joined the Cranston Grange and served as its secretary in 1917.

“My family had been very active in the Grange and has enjoyed community service,” Rathbun said.

Now, at the age of 100, she is still a member of the Oaklawn Grange and serves as its piano player. During the evening festivities, Rathbun was surprised that the Grange piano had been refinished and furnished with a plaque in her honor.

Rathbun graduated from Meschanticut School and Cranston High School, and went on to graduate in secretarial studies from what was then Bryant College. After graduating, she immediately went to work for the Cranston School Department as a school secretary. She retired as an administrative secretary in the district’s main office in 1981.

Rathbun joined the Oaklawn Grange in 1933 and would often accompany her grandmother to meetings. In 1934, she was elected lecturer, and the Grange celebrated its 25th anniversary that year with 12 of the original members receiving 25-year pins.

“I enjoy the social atmosphere the Grange has always offered,” Rathbun said. “What began for recreation and community service has grown into a family.”

It was at a square dance at the Grange where she met and married Edward Rathbun. After marrying Helen, Edward transferred to the Oaklawn Grange and was elected master in 1952 and 1953. Helen succeeded him as master in 1953 and served through 1955.

From the early 1950s until Edward’s death in 1975, the Oaklawn Grange flourished under their direction. Rathbun, throughout her tenure with the Grange, served numerous terms as master, lecturer and chairman of the Women’s Activities Committee, raising thousands of dollars for the Grange treasury through public and private suppers.

“I enjoyed the role of lecturer the most,” she said. “As lecturer I was able to set up programs and events for the Grange.”

Under Rathbun’s guidance, many improvements were made to the building and its grounds, including the Oaklawn Grange Park at the entrance to the village, which was formally dedicated in July 1965.

“I am lucky to be still active with the Grange,” Rathbun said, “yet I wish the younger generation would become involved. That would secure its future as a community and civic minded organization.”

Rathbun still attends meetings at the Grange.

She has three daughters – Ella May Lamoureux, Mary Champlin and Dorothy Hutchins, all of whom were on hand for the party – as well as 10 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. Now at the age of 100 years, Rathbun still maintains her own home, taking care of her house and property with the help of her daughters.

On Dec.11, members of the Oaklawn Grange will hold their annual Christmas Tree Lighting at 6 p.m. at the Gazebo in Oaklawn, with horse-drawn carriage rides and a visit from Santa Claus. As always, the community is welcome to attend.

Information on joining the Oaklawn Grange will also be available that evening.

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