About Us
Built in 1866, The East Fairfield Union Meeting House has been the architectural, social and spiritual anchor of our rural community for 150 years. Folks were married here, baptized their babies here, and attended candlelit Christmas Eve services here. For generations, the weather, milk prices, and road conditions were seriously discussed within these four walls.
Ten years ago, an enthusiastic group of local residents acquired the building. We firmly believe that one way to preserve the character and integrity of a community is through the preservation of its old buildings. Further, we're convinced that music has the power to bind us all together, especially during difficult times. Thus, we find ourselves with The Meeting House on the Green, and the exciting challenge of preserving it for future generations, as well as re-purposing it with what is considered by many to be one of Vermont's premier music venues.
To learn more about the history of East Fairfield and to follow the progress of our project, CLICK HERE.
Organ Update!
Something wonderful has been going on at the Meeting House this winter, quietly - behind the scenes...
Our rare, antique tracker organ is undergoing a restoration and soon it will be back to its original condition. Stephan Conrady of Alburg, VT is the expert, and he's been working steadily since October to bring this lovely instrument back to life! As far as we can tell, it hasn't been played since sometime in the 1920s (we found pieces of it wrapped in a newspaper from that time), and so we are particularly excited to announce that soon our organ will be functioning, and also that Stephan - who is an organist and a composer - will be performing on Sunday, August 20th at 3 p.m. This concert will be FREE and open to the public. We're sure there are many folks who will be interested in hearing the organ which must have been so much a part of Sunday services in the early 20th century.
We'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who donated to the organ restoration campaign. You 'll be honored at the recital and we're very grateful. (FYI: There's still time to mail in a contribution if you've been thinking about it, but haven't done it yet! Just mail a check to Meeting House Organ, Box 16, East Fairfield, VT 05448, or donatie on the button below.)
Click on the link below for the whole organ story.
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(We promise not to overdo it!)
2023 Summer Music Series
Line-up Announced!
The 2023 Summer Concerts on the Green kick off with the now-a-tradition, effusive, high-powered bluegrass band, BEG, STEAL or BORROW on May 27, so mark your calendars!
This year's shows are scheduled for Saturdays at 5 p.m. (except for the August 9th show which is on a Wednesday at 6 p.m., and the Sunday, August 20th organ recital, at 3 in the afternoon), and will be outside unless it's raining or too windy, in which case we'll move indoors.
Chef-prepared, delicious food including outrageously delectable desserts will be for sale, or you can BYO and picnic on the green. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket. Admission is still only $10 per person. Kids under 12 Free.
The Bands
Click on the links below for lots more information!
June 10 - Ben Patton/Tim McKenzie
Aug. 9 - Kat Wright & Brett Hughes
Aug. 20 - Sunday, 3 pm. FREE ORGAN RECITAL w/ Stephan Conrady on our newly restored 165-year old pipe organ!
Sept. 9 - Colin McCaffrey & Patti Casey
See you on the Green!
OUR COMMUNITY
Fairfield Community Center -The Fairfield Community Center Association, located in E. Fairfield, VT, has been meeting the changing needs of Franklin county and beyond since 1992, with a the Fairfield Food Shelf, Tuesday Take-out Lunches and numerous kids' programs throughout the year.
Bent Northrop Memorial Library - In addition to great books, the library offers WiFi, on-line databases, word processing, magazine subscriptions (both in print and electronically), and downloadable audio books and ebooks.
Town of Fairfield - The Town of Fairfield is located in Northwestern Vermont, in Franklin County. Fairfield is a beautiful rural New England town with rolling hills, family farms, and the essence of small town life. Browse our web site for more information about the Town of Fairfield.
The Fairfield Historical Society - Preserving history and sharing stories as a community.
The MEETING HOUSE
ON THE GREEN ~ E. Fairfield, Vermont
Strengthening community through historic preservation & the arts.
