As
the oldest framed Quaker meetinghouse in the U.S., this historical
building suffered from age, neglect, and haphazard alterations.
The building was slowly collapsing in on itself so steel columns
were carefully lowered into the exterior walls and a balcony
was built to permanently stabilize the structure. Taking great
care to preserve many of the original elements, the wrap-around-exterior
porch was completely restored and a new standing seam tin
roof was built by hand. During the construction, a secret
room was discovered that once served as a haven for fugitive
slaves.
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