The Rockingham Meeting House Preservation Project
Rockingham Awarded Save America’s Treasures Grant for Meeting House
The Town of Rockingham has been awarded a $360,000 Save America’s Treasures grant from the National Historic Preservation Fund, administered by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior. Together with a matching sum from the town, the grant will partly fund Phase I of the Rockingham Meeting House Preservation Project.
The purpose of the project is to make sure the meeting house stands proudly for future generations. Built in 1787 and declared a National Historic Landmark in 2000, it is recognized as the largest intact 18th public building remaining in Vermont still in its original material form and in active use. The last major preservation of the building was done in 1906 and 1907.
The project has been divided into three phases. The first focuses on drainage, stabilizing the foundation, window restoration, and roof repair. Current estimated cost of this stage is $980,000. In addition to the SAT grant and town match, Phase I construction is made possible with funding from the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation and a generous donation from BF Trades.
Building condition assessment and pre-construction planning has been underway since 2022. Preliminary construction work is slated to begin in late summer and fall 2024 and continue through 2025. Click here to view current engineering drawings.
Phase II will focus on plaster and exterior woodwork conservation. Phase III will focus on restoration of the box pews, a fundamental defining characteristic of an 18th century meeting house, as well as life safety and ADA compliance. Current estimates for this work is $1.1m, yet to be raised.
Questions and comments about the Save America’s Treasures grant, the preservation project, and continued fundraising may be directed to the Rockingham Historic Preservation Commission by email clg@rockbf.org . This page will be updated from time to time.
The beneficiaries of this project include the residents of Rockingham Town and the State of Vermont, and visitors from around the world to witness in pure form an outward expression of the Puritan New England Mind.
The Meeting House along with its graveyard, hearse house, town tomb, and fence was declared a National Historic Landmark in 2000, click here to view nomination for details. It is one of only two Type II New England Meeting Houses still standing without major alterations. It is still in use for public and private gatherings.
Save America’s Treasures Award - Public Notice
Brattleboro Reformer
Claremont Eagle Times
Vermont Journal/The Shopper
The Commons
Westminster Gazette
Rockingham Meeting House Historic Structure Report
Existing Conditions Reports (2022 - 2023)
The Picket Fence at the Rockingham Meeting House, January 28, 2023
Paint and Finishes Analysis (2021)
Paint Analysis, Old Rockingham Meeting House - Executive Summary
Optical Microscopy Paint Analysis Old Rockingham Meeting House Rockingham, Vermont Roof Shingles
Original Interior Window Paint Color for Meeting House
Just for Fun
Rockingham Meeting House Immersive Tour
Eloise & Co.: Bottle this Stuff at the Rockingham Meetinghouse
This project is made possible with funding from the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation, the Preservation Trust of Vermont, the National Park Service Save America’s Treasures, the Town of Rockingham, and by private donation.
Click here to visit the Rockingham Historic Preservation Commission
The content and opinions on this page do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Department of the Interior, nor does the mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation by the Department of the Interior.
Regulations of the U.S. Department of the Interior strictly prohibit unlawful discrimination in federally assisted programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, age or handicap. Any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility operated by a recipient of federal assistance should write to: Director, Office of Equal Opportunity, National Park Service, 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, DC 20240.