Oblong Friends Meeting House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Oblong Friends Meetinghouse
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Meeting House in March 2007
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| Location | Meetinghouse Rd. on Quaker Hill, Pawling, NY |
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| Nearest city | Danbury, CT |
| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1763 |
| MPS | Dutchess County Quaker Meeting Houses TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 73001182 |
| Added to NRHP | January 12, 1973 |
The Oblong Friends Meeting House is a very old and special building in Quaker Hill, Pawling, New York. It was built by a group called the Religious Society of Friends, also known as Quakers. This historic building has been recognized as important since 1973. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It's a place where people gathered for worship and important discussions for many years.
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A Special Place for Quakers
The Oblong Friends Meeting House has a long and interesting history. It shows how the Quaker community grew and changed over time.
Building a Community Home
Quakers first settled in Quaker Hill in the 1730s. They soon wanted a place to meet and worship. Their first meeting house was built in 1742. It was located across from where the current building stands. As more people joined the community, the first building became too small. So, in 1763, the Quakers decided to build a much larger meeting house. This new building was finished in 1764. It is the same building you can see today. Benjamin Sherman, a carpenter from Quaker Hill, helped build this important new home for the community.
Standing Up for What's Right
In 1767, an important question was asked at the meeting house. People wondered if it was right for a Christian to own slaves. After many years of talking and thinking, the Quakers made a big decision in 1776. They decided that their meetings would not accept money or help from members who owned slaves. This was a very strong statement for their time. It showed their belief in fairness and equality for everyone.
A Hospital During Wartime
The Oblong Friends Meeting House played a role during the American Revolutionary War. In 1778 and 1779, parts of the Continental Army camped in the nearby hills. General George Washington's officers took over the meeting house. They used it as a military hospital to care for injured soldiers. This shows how important the building was to the community, even during difficult times.
Changes Over Time
In 1828, the Society of Friends in New York split into two groups. These were the Orthodox and Hicksite Societies. The Hicksite group continued to use the Oblong Meeting House. The Orthodox Society, which had fewer members, built their own meeting house nearby in 1831. That building later became a private home.
Over the 1800s, fewer people in the area became Quakers. By 1885, the meetings at the Oblong Meeting House stopped. In 1936, the Historical Society of Quaker Hill and Pawling bought the property. They have worked hard to protect and preserve this historic building ever since.
What the Building Looks Like
The Oblong Friends Meeting House is a two-story building. It has five sections across the front and two sections deep. Inside, there are special sliding panels. These panels could divide the building into separate areas for men and women during meetings. Like many old meeting houses, it has two front doors. One door was traditionally used by men, and the other by women.
Where to Find It
The Meeting House is located on the north side of Meeting House Road. This is about 100 meters from where Meeting House Road branches off Quaker Hill Road. It is in the small community of Quaker Hill, in the town of Pawling, New York.
More to Explore
- List of Quaker meeting houses
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Dutchess County, New York
