Historic Preservation

The Bayside Grange # 500 is proud to be on the California State Register of Historic Buildings, thanks to the professional services of Historians Susie Van Kirk and Suzanne Guerra.The money and labor for the construction of most Granges has come primarily from the membership. Modeled after other fraternal halls, Granges follow a standard design that includes an anteroom and large meeting hall with fixed chairs around the perimeter. We endeavor to be sensitive to the historic character of our building when considering any repairs. For example, we use the general principle of replacing "like with like" - using the same types of materials when ever possible as when it was originally constructed. Upgrades for health and safety, efficiency or change in use are discussed using criteria that would not draw significant attention to the change as to detract from the historical character.This last year we completed another long restoration project in conjunction with College of the Redwoods. A class developed and taught by Instructor Bill Hole "Field Techniques for Historic Preservation" spent over six weeks and 50 hours in preservation projects at this 75 yr. old historic building. This class was an example of project-based learning that takes place through the College's Construction Technology's HPRT program. They take teaching to the jobsite and in turn give back to the community. Sustainability and recycling valuable historic resources is a primary responsibility of all of us, and at CR they strive to teach students by example.