Ferrisburgh Grange Hall (1868 / 1949 - 2004) – post arson
Route 7, Ferrisburgh, Vermont USA • The Third Life begins for this historic structure. It was destroyed February 15, 2005, during a string of three tragic & unnecessary arson fires. This series of photos was taken in March, 2005.
It's first life began in 1868 as Ferrisburgh’s first Congregational Church in the Italianate style fashionable in that era, the wood-frame
building features pilasters and corner quoins, large, hooded windows
and front entryway, and the double bracketed cornices typical of this
style. Its high-rising walls and imposing proportions give it,
nevertheless, a somewhat austere, New England look. Originally the
tower was topped with a slender spire appropriate to its
Congregational beginnings. This was destroyed by a lightning strike in
the 1890s and replaced with the present [a] cupola. …
The Congregational Society hired Erastus Daniels of Bristol as their builder. In 1866, Vergennes was booming, and “Boss” Daniels was the area’s most prodigious and influential builder. He built factories, upgraded hotels, and constructed some of those magnificent Main Street houses in Vergennes. The church’s frame was raised on April 1 and on a Saturday morning in early June “the citizens of Ferrisburgh Center, about 200 in number, assembled ... to witness the elevation to its place of the spire of the new Congregational Church”. Mr. Alanson Edgarton of Charlotte, who had been hired to build the 123 foot steeple, supervised the proceedings. The paper reports, “Although weighing some six tons the immense body was safely landed on its destined foundation without the slight- est accident.” On this, as on other occasions, refreshments were served in the vestry by the ladies – the proceeds going toward the furnishing of the church. …
It's second life: On April 9, 1949, the former church was conveyed to the Grange Hall of Ferrisburgh Grange No. 539's ownership, with a clause in the deed stating the Congregational Society’s intention that the Grange “shall keep and use the said lands and premises as a community center ... for the benefit of the community of Ferrisburgh at large.” …
The third life actually began before the fire: In March 2004, following months of research, planning, organizing and fund raising, the citizens of Ferrisburgh voted to accept ownership of the Grange Hall and convert it into the new Town offices and Community Center. After 70 years as a Congregational Church, and 60 years as a Grange Hall, this historic landmark is poised to become again a vibrant center of community life. It seems appropriate and in keeping with our New England tradition of thrift that this building, originally constructed for the Ferrisburgh Congregational Church and later adopted by the Grange, should continue to serve the people of Ferrisburgh. – From a History of the Ferrisburgh Grange Hall, researched and written principally by Silas Towler of the Ferrisburgh Historical Society (prior to the arson).
• In 2009, The Preservation Trust of Vermont made two awards for this project: To Silas Towler and the Ferrisburgh Grange Community Center: In 2003
when Ferrisburgh began searching for a larger town office complex,
Silas Towler with several other residents banded together to promote
the slowly deteriorating and underutilized Grange Building. In 2004
when citizens voted to renovate the newly acquired Hall, Silas stepped
forward to assist and again banded together with community members to
form a "Friends of the Ferrisburgh Grange" organization.
However days before construction was scheduled to begin, on the night
of February 15, 2005, an arsonist set fire to the historic Grange
building. The following morning, only a shell remained. Silas
assumed chairmanship of the building committee and urged the
Selectboard to stay the course. Noting his talents, Silas was
designated to head a salvage effort to measure, salvage, and store
architectural features for restoration and replication.
For the next 2 years, in his unpaid capacity with the Town, Silas
reviewed all insurance documents and created counter offers. Once
settled, Silas became the town's primary liaison, meeting with
contractor representatives on a weekly basis and conducting bi-weekly
meetings of the citizen building and fundraising committees.
Finally on June 21, 2008, the building was completed and dedicated. Without Silas Towler and his perseverance to see the Grange Hall
re-built to exact specifications, the town of Ferrisburgh would not
have this landmark.
You probably won't be surprised to learn that there was a second
nomination from Ferrisburgh. This one was from Silas Towler crediting
countless groups that participated in the Grange Community Center's
re-construction...from the UVM volunteers who helped with the salvage
to each State Department that provided a permit. Silas credits all of
them.
• More info: Here's a brief YouTube Video of the actual fire.
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