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Early civil rights leaders' meeting place being restored

The old meeting house is being restored after being converted into a barn, moved, and damaged by a wind storm.
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The old meeting house is being restored after being converted into a barn, moved, and damaged by a wind storm.

The 1816 Farmington Quaker Meeting House played a significant role in the civil rights movements of the mid-nineteenth century.

Bill Brandow is an historical preservation architect with John G. Waits. He says the spot played a pivotal role in abolition and women’s suffrage.

"All of the lead proponents of those two movements at one point or other spoke at or visited Farmington Quaker Meeting House."

The meeting house is still standing, although it’s gone through several transitions.

"When it was the meeting house it was one way. When it was a barn it was moved."

Restoration of the buildings beams began this week.
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Restoration of the buildings beams began this week.

The building was also damaged by a bad windstorm in 2006. But now, the meeting house is being restored to its former glory with the help of Brandow’s architecture firm.

Last week crews arrived to restore the beams of the historic building. Those on the project say they have a long way to go, but they’re excited to begin this phase of the restoration.

Veronica Volk is a senior editor and producer for WXXI News.