Russellville Grange holds ‘Rummage Sale’

This Grange is alive and well – check out the event they held to welcome the community inside …

Shoppers browse through the many tables of items at the Russellville Grange Hall sale.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Many folks going to and from Parkrose High School may have driven right past the Russellville Grange Hall, located at 12100 NE Prescott Street, and never given the building a second look.

But, that all changed on May 11, when this Grange opened its doors and held a rummage sale, open to the community.

The Grange, Elaine Bossert told East Portland News, is officially referred to as “The National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry”. “It’s a fraternal organization that encourages families to band together, to promote the economic and political well-being of the community and agriculture.”

Sale co-chairs Betty Walker and Elaine Bossert stand by, ready to help shoppers, and tell them more about their organization.

The Russellville Grange #307 was started in outer East Portland back when the greater Parkrose area was simply farm country, Bossert said. “I think ours was organized in 1906. My mother was a charter member of this Grange; she joined when she was 15 years old.”

Nationally, she said, the Grange was responsible for starting “Rural Free Delivery” (RFD) of mail. “We’re still active, but now as an ‘urban Grange’.”

Both its members – and people new to the Russellville Grange Hall – come to shop at the sale.

The members came up with their big all-day sale as a way to introduce people to the Grange, and to raise money for its operation, Bossert said.

Want to learn more? They meet the second Saturday of the month for a potluck at noon, followed by a meeting at 1:00 p.m. The hall is available for rent, too: Contact Dominic at (503) 252-6044. And, to view their Facebook page: CLICK HERE.

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