Bethlehem Grange No. 137
Why it's listed
Bethlehem Grange No. 137 is a two-story clapboard hall on Bridge Street in Becker's Corners, Albany County. Its western two bays date to 1921, when the building replaced an earlier grange hall destroyed by fire on New Year's Day 1920. In 1936 two more bays were added under a single hipped roof. The first floor holds a farm store, kitchen and dining area, while the second floor has a meeting hall with a stage and proscenium arch, along with an anteroom. This arrangement is known as the grange hall plan, also used by Masonic lodges. The local grange was organized in 1874 and acquired the present site in 1880. It is described as one of the early granges in New York and one of only two surviving grange halls in Albany County. The hall retains a high degree of integrity apart from kitchen alterations, and it is still used by an active grange.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the hall is an intact example of the traditional grange hall plan, with community space on the first floor and a meeting and ceremonial hall above. It is also noted as one of the early granges established in New York and one of only two surviving grange halls in Albany County. It reflects the area's agricultural and social history.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 01001443, listed January 11, 2002. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 24 Bridge St., Selkirk |
|---|---|
| County | Albany County |
| Listed | January 11, 2002 |
| Reference number | 01001443 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1921-1936 |
| Architectural style | No Style |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The building remains in use by an active Grange with a membership of nearly 100; only the kitchen has been altered. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.54840, -73.81012 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 01001443.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4898045
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.