Friends of the Union Meeting Hall

The Friends of the Union Meeting Hall (FUMH) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the rehabilitation and preservation of the historic Union Meeting Hall in Ferrisburgh, Vermont. 
Established in December 2019, the group's primary mission is to raise funds to restore the building so it can serve as a vibrant center for community programming, events, and a catalyst for the revitalization of the Ferrisburgh Town Center. 

Key Details & Mission

  • Purpose: To protect the historic legacy of the Union Meeting Hall and ensure its structural integrity for future generations.
  • Governance: It is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
  • Activities: The organization hosts community enrichment programs, such as art classes, potluck suppers, and educational events, while managing ongoing restoration projects.
  • Support: Their work is supported by private donations and grants, including a significant $100,000 Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization grant from the Preservation Trust of Vermont.

The Building

The Union Meeting Hall is a unique Gothic-style brick building with multi-paned windows, listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1978. It has been a community gathering place since 1840 and is notably the site where abolitionist Frederick Douglass delivered a speech on freedom and equality in July 1843. Recent restoration efforts have included steeple repairs and the addition of a new ADA-compliant entrance to improve accessibility.
Please visit their website and look for Front Porch Forum posts about upcoming events at the hall or how to get involved in the restoration project.

Click here for the Friends of the Union Meeting Hall website.