Weybridge Town Hall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Wesleyan Methodist Church
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 Location in Vermont
Location in the United States
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| Location | Quaker Village Rd., near Jct. with Baker Ct., Weybridge, Vermont |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1847 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 96000387 |
| Added to NRHP | April 12, 1996 |
The Weybridge Town Hall is an important building in Weybridge, Vermont. It stands on Quaker Village Road in the northern part of town. This building was first built in 1847.
It started as the Wesleyan Methodist Church. Later, in 1893, it became the town's first and only town hall. It is a great example of Greek Revival architecture, a popular style from the 1800s. Because of its history and style, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1996.
What Does Weybridge Town Hall Look Like?
Weybridge Town Hall is on the west side of Quaker Village Road. It is in a spread-out village area near Otter Creek. The building is a single-story structure made of wood.
It has a pointed roof and its outside walls are covered with overlapping wooden boards called clapboards. On top of the roof, there is a tall tower. This tower has a square base and a six-sided section with openings for sound, called a belfry. The very top of the tower has a curved, dome-like shape.
The front of the building has decorative flat columns called pilasters. These support a horizontal band called an entablature. Above this is a triangular section, known as a pediment, with a sunburst design. Inside, you can still see much of the original Greek Revival style woodwork. It also has its first wooden pews and light fixtures from the early 1900s.
A Building with a Rich History
This building was constructed in 1847. It was built after a disagreement within the local Methodist church group. Some members wanted to end slavery, which was a big issue at the time.
These members, who were against slavery, left the original church. They then built this new church for their services. The people who designed this church were inspired by the famous architect Asher Benjamin. Many of the building's details come from his design books.
After the American Civil War, the two Methodist church groups came back together. However, their numbers became smaller over time. So, in 1893, they rented the building to the town. It became the town's first official town hall.
The building still serves as the town hall today. It is also used for many community events. For a while, the town's library was in the basement of this building. That was until 1911, when the Cotton Free Library was built next door. The Weybridge Town Hall was carefully repaired and updated in the 1990s.
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