2020 Annual Report

We had ambitious plans for 2020 – and the year turned out to be much different than anyone expected at its outset! Though the world health crisis found many museums across New York State entirely closed down, we were able to pivot and present at least a portion of our intended programs during an important year in history and continue our work of preserving and restoring the Meetinghouse.

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When we talk to local community members about the Meetinghouse, many are unaware of the starring role this humble building played in the national debates that swept 19th century America. Those who gathered there more than a hundred years ago helped secure land rights for Native Americans, equal rights for women, and freedom from enslavement for African-Americans. This Annual Report highlights some of the many ways we are continuing that legacy of advocacy for equal rights and social justice.

 

Program Review

We salvaged three of our planned series of pro- grams on “Struggle for Women’s Suffrage: Politics and Race.” In cooperation with co-sponsors, the Granger Homestead and Sonnenberg Gardens, we presented three programs, one live and socially distanced, and two virtual. Laura Free, of Hobart & William Smith Colleges, spoke on “Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Racism within the Suffrage Movement,” Lillian Williams of the University of Buffalo, spoke on “Mary B. Talbert” an African American suffra- gist and early 20th Century reformer, and histo- rian Judy Wellman talked on “Suffrage, Race, and Quakers: Principles vs. Pragmatism.” Videographer Demian Spindler recorded all three events, which were live-streamed, and available for streaming until the end of the year. Judy Wellman’s talk is still available on our YouTube channel, check our website farmingtonmeetinghouse.org. We hope to present the remaining programs in the series later this year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our 2021 Board of Trustees & Leadership

Delayed due to the impact of the COVID pandemic, our annual meeting, held at year’s end, brought new vigor and vitality to the board of trustees with our welcoming of five new members. In addition to Mary-Kay Bel- ant, David Bruinix, Joan Bryant, Florence Cardella, and Matthew Cooley. Carol-Elaine Deys, founding board member, rejoined after a brief hiatus. An advantage of now meeting via Zoom technology is that board member- ship need not be restricted by proximity to Farmington. Our Executive Committee con- sists of the officers — Judy Wellman, presi- dent, Stacey VanDenburgh, vice president, Ann Morton, treasurer, Kathleen Hendrix and Diane Robinson, co-secretaries — as well as Lyle Jenks, immediate past president, and Reg Neale, member-at-large.

 

Social Media

With new board members bringing unique skill sets, we have given renewed attention to our outreach efforts. Our website is now expanded to include more of the history to which those who gathered in Farmington contributed in earlier eras. The Historic Structure Report, our blueprint for next steps in restoration of the building, is also now posted on our website. Also, this year we hope to be more active on Facebook.

Story of a Bench: Quakers, Causes and Connections

Before the Civil War, Quakers Isaac and Amy Post lived on Sophia Street (now Plymouth Ave.) in Rochester and at one point hid 15 fugitives from slavery overnight at their house, a station on the Underground Railroad. The Posts attended the 1816 Meetinghouse until 1845. Eventually their house was torn down and the Central Presbyterian Church rose in its place, this beautiful bench a part of it. Both Frederick Douglass’ and Susan B. Anthony’s funerals were held there. In 1978, the building became the Hochstein School’s Performance Hall. Our colleague, friend, and supporter Barbara Blaisdell, scholar and reenactor of Susan B. Anthony, bought the bench, stored it for years and eventually donated it to the 1816 Meetinghouse. At that point our longtime supporters and volunteers Jill McLellan and John Tornow picked up the bench in Rochester, took it to their home in Seneca Castle, had it refinished and brought it to us in Farmington, where it is temporarily housed in Farmington Friends Meeting, waiting to take up permanent residence across the road at the 1816 Meetinghouse.

 

 

Restoration

As we seek major funding for next stages re- storing the historic 1816 building, in efforts to be responsible stewards, in December we installed temporary exterior cladding to protect some of the original clapboard siding on the exposed south and east sides of the building. Guided by incoming President Judith Wellman, we applied for a grant through the National Park Service, which would fund complete restoration of the exterior of the building as well as some interior features. We are hopeful, and regardless of the outcome of this request, we are determined to complete restoration and hope you will support this effort. Our plans for the exterior go beyond the building and the grant application. Several board members and volunteers are planning a “Walk of Freedom,” a wildflower walk, with places to sit and reflect, a garden, visual representation of our history and mission, and perhaps even accessible videos.

2020 Operating Budget Summary

Revenue – $23,184

Corporations: $4,000

Private Donors: $18,684

Foundations: $500

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Expenses – $15,677

Administration (printing, postage, publicity): $2,628

Building Maintenance/ Title Search: $3,200

Insurance & Taxes: $4,395

Professional Dev./ Conferences: $655

Programs: $3,924
Website: $875

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Unrestricted contributions not used for Operating Expenses are reserved for Building Restoration. Have you considered including 1816 in your estate planning?

 

Thank You to Our 2020 Donors

 

Organizational Grants
Canandaigua National Bank
Farmington Friends Meeting
Lyons National Bank
Thomas F. Judson Family Foundation

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Individual Contributions $1000 and Up

Tom & Sue Forsyth
George & Mary Hamlin IV
Kenn & Lu Harper
Kathleen Hendrix
Steven Jarose & Marvin Ritzenthaler
Coline Jenkins & Family
Preston Pierce
Joel & Jaylene Steele

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$250-$999

Anonymous
Kathryn P. Bacon
Nancy Hewitt
Peter Ingalsbe
Lyle Jenks
Wayne Jenks
Reg & Mary Neale
Cherry Rahn & Steve Lee
Meg & Glenn Reed
Richard & Susan Regen
Judy Wellman

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$100-$249

Geoffrey & Janice Astles
Paul & Maggie Bringewatt
Carol Crossed
Jody G. Davis
Christopher & Laura Densmore
Richard & Carol-Elaine Deys
Linda Doyen
Dante Fuligni
Susan L. Howard
Gary A. Hughes
Mary M. Huth
Adrienne Kantz
Helen Kirker
Elaine Learnard
Stephen Lewandowski
Sally S. Mueller
James R. Perkins
Barbara Popenhusen
Kathleen Rayburn
Diane Robinson
Jean Schafer
Madeline Schmitt
Ann Schaumer
Milton C. Sernett
Donald Simkin
Marlene Sutliff
Marilyn Tedeschi
Ann K. U. Tussing
Constance A. Valk
Stacia & David Yaniglos

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Up to $100

Fergus Bordewich
Constance B. Blood
Gladys E. Cooper
Ezekiel Densmore
Alice McCormick Ennis
Andrea Faulkner
Sarah Fitts-Romig
Barbara Gibbs
Virginia Goyer
Thomas F. Hamm & Mary Louise Reynolds
Perry & Dorothy Howland
Karl J. & Anne Kriz
Dennis Lambert
Charles G. Lenhart
Dolores Winona Nelson
Carolyn Odell
Richard & Susan Onze
Jean A. Parker
Ellen Polimeni
Margo & Vaughan Pratt
Eloise Prostka
Jean Schafer
Caroline C. Shipley
Grant P. Thompson
Richard W. Tuttle
Diana van der Velden
Marile Waterstratt

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In Kind Contributions

David Bruinix
Fran Caraccilo
Richard & Carol-Elaine Deys
Elizabeth Gilmore
Donna Hill-Herendeen
Wayne Jenks
Helen H. Kirker
Jill McClellan & John Tornow
Mary Neale
Judy Wellman

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2020 Board Members

Willie Bontrager
Peter Evans
Doug Fisher
Kenn Harper
Kathleen Hendrix
Lyle Jenks
Charles Lenhart
Ann Morton
Reginald Neale
Barbara Popenhusen
Diane Robinson
Sue Stehling
Stacey VanDenburgh

Judith Wellman