Events of 2006

In February 2006, the east wall blew off the meetinghouse. Approximately eighty percent of the original fabric remained, including much of the plastered interior, octagonal columns, and most of the frame, but it was entirely exposed to the weather, creating an emergency situation.

Working with nationally known architect John G. Waite, people in Farmington and across the nation raised $26,000 from both private and public sources. They transferred the building to the Elizabeth Cady Stanton Foundation. And they began emergency stabilization and initial documentation. Supporters included:
•National Trust for Historic Preservation

•Heritage New York’s Women’s History Trail

•New York State Council on the Arts

•Chace Fund of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting)

•many private donors.

Save America’s Treasures declared this building an official project. The National Park Service’s Network to Freedom project listed it as an important Underground Railroad site. The State Historic Preservation Office declared the meetinghouse eligible for the National Register of Historic Places as part of a local historic district, to include the 1876 Quaker Meetinghouse and Quaker cemetery across the road. People of Farmington are working to donate 3.5 acres of land within this historic district as a permanent location for the building. The total cost of this project, based on initial projections, will be upwards of $1,000,000.

Fund-raising

• National Trust for Historic Preservation provided funds for emergency stabilization.

• Heritage New York's Women's History Trail provided $5000 for initial stabilization.

• New York State Council on the Arts Technical Assistance program provided a technical assistance grant.

• Chace Fund of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting provided funds to help document the building with photographs and HABS- quality drawings.
  

• many private donors have contributed funds.

• many volunteers have been extraordinarily generous volunteer with their time, money, and resources, including

• architectural services, web design, historical research, fund-raising, and land for a permanent site for the meetinghouse.

• Eric Moon has created a CD called "Christmas in the Finger Lakes," which will be sold through branches of the Canandaigua National Bank, with half the proceeds to be given to the 1816 Farmington Meetinghouse project. The CD is available at the following branches: Bloomfield, Canandaigua Main St., Canandaigua Lakeshore Dr., Farmington, Honeoye, Shortsville-Manchester and Victor.
  

Stabilization and Restoration

• Stabilization and Restoration nationally-recognized architect John G. Waite, John G. Waite Associates, has begun documentation and has provided a plan for stabilization and initial restoration.

• the damaged southeast corner of the building has been stabilized, with assistance from engineer and contractor, with cables and supports.

• a six-foot fence has been erected around the meetinghouse the Farmington Town Board and Code Enforcement officers have helped us with issues relating to public safety.

• a local insurance agency provided insurance for the building.