Wayside Grange

History of the current Wayside Grange and Theatre

The North Dexter Grange was incorporated around 1916 into the National order of Patrons of Husbandry. Granges were originally founded as a cooperative agricultural organization which equally valued both men’s and women’s work as well as their vote. All grange hall buildings were designed to serve as a hub for local social and community activities. This includes a stage, large meeting hall space, a kitchen, and dining area.

Times change, though, as do businesses, occupations, and social needs and so the North Dexter Grange eventually folded, ownership was reverted to the Maine State Grange (MSG) and the building was abandoned.

In the late 1990s several Dexter residents rallied and tried to buy the building. Their hope was to revive it as a social community hub by creating a theatre. But the MSG didn’t want to lose a grange, so in 2002 a new grange (Wayside Grange #590) was created which would share space with the separately incorporated Wayside Theatre. Wayside Theatre is a 501c(3) non-profit and all Theatre members are also members of the Grange.