Union Meeting Hall
Union Meeting Hall
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History of the Union Meeting Hall

1837

The Union Society was formed on January 30th, 1837. The Society's purpose was to build a Meeting House to serve as a church for five different denominations, including the Methodists, Congregationalists, Spiritualists, and Baptists.  The church was completed in 1840.

    Completed Projects

    ADA Accessible Second Exit

    Construction began in October of 2023 to add a permanent ADA compliant second exit/entrance on the north side of the building with an earthen ramp. Although the Town had installed a temporary ADA ramp, entry through the historic front doors was challenging as they were not wide enough for a wheelchair, which limited our ability to provide inclusive community programming. The addition of the new second entrance/exit allowed the capacity of the building to increase while also enabling the FUMH to host larger events to serve even more members of the community. In addition to private philanthropic support, this project is supported in part by the Vermont Arts Council and the State of Vermont, the Walter Cerf Community Fund of the Vermont Community Foundation and the Hoehl Family Foudation. The project was completed in April 2023. 

    2021 Steeple Repairs

    Steeple Removal

    On August 6th, 2021 the steeple of the Union Meeting Hall was removed for repairs. The steeple, rebuilt after being struck by lightning and damaged by fire in 1976, was in need of repairs to replace progressive rot. 

    Steeple Replacement

    On September 25th, 2021 the steeple of the Union Meeting Hall was put back on top of the building just in time for Ferrisburgh Day, with festivities set to begin the following morning.  

    Current Ongoing Projects

    Restoration of the Historic Windows

    All of the 181-year-old windows at the Union Meeting Hall have been removed and are currently being restored offsite.  In addition, any rot on the exterior trim will be replaced and painted and any damaged interior window stops will be repaired. This project was supported in part by the MK Taylor Foundation, The Millstone Foundation and private philanthropic support. This rehabilitation of the windows is slated to be finished by spring 2024.

    Important Structural Projects

    In the spring of 2024, the repair of the broken and rotted roof trusses will begin so that the building is once again structurally sound, and the supporting towers (pictured right) can be removed. Broken slate roof tiles will be replaced, the historic chimneys will be repointed, and a new metal snow belt will be installed. In addition, the sloping floors will be leveled, the steeple piers will be properly reinforced, and rotted exterior trim will be replaced and painted. These projects are supported in part by the National Park Service with funding obtained by Senator Leahy as one of his Congressionally Directed Spending requests in the fiscal year 2022 Omnibus Appropriations bill, the Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grants Program from the Historic Preservation Fund administered by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior in partnership with the Preservation Trust of Vermont and private philanthropic funding.  Work is slated to be completed by summer 2024. 

    Oral History of the Union Meeting Hall

    History Talks with Silas Towler

    Silas Towler, President of the Ferrisburgh Historical Society, discusses the rich history of the Union Meeting Hall. His research of historical archives highlighted all the different types of events that took place at the property through the years. This presentation was given in the Union Meeting Hall in the summer of 2019.  

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