Union Meeting Hall
Union Meeting Hall
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HISTORY

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.

    UMH HISTORY AND RESTORATION VIDEO

    This narrated video featrues information about the history of the Union Meeting Hall as well information about past, present and future restoration projects. 

    COMPLETED PROJECTS

    STRUCTURAL REPAIRS

    In the spring of 2024 vital strucutral work began to repair compromised roof trusses in order to enusre a structurally sound  building. In additon, broken slate roof tiles were replaced, the historic chimneys were repointed, a new metal snow belt was installed, the sloping floors were leveled, the steeple piers were properly reinforced, and rotted exterior trim was replaced and painted. Work was completed in early 2025. 


    These projects were 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, The Millstone Foundation and private philanthropic funding.

    ADA ACCESIBLE 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. 

    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.  The project was funded by the Town of Ferrisburgh. 

    CURRENT ON-GOING PROJECTS

    WINDOW RESTORATION

    All of the windows in the Union Meeting Hall have temporarily been removed and are currently being restored.  In addition, any rot on the exterior trim will be replaced and painted and any damaged interior window stops will be repaired or replaced. This project was supported in part by the MK Taylor Foundation, The Millstone Foundation and private philanthropic support. The rehabilitation of the windows is slated to be finished by late summer 2025.

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