History

The Melodeon Factory on the East Poultney Green is one of the oldest buildings in Poultney and is one of the only remaining buildings representative of Poultney’s early industrial era. Built in 1810 as a blacksmith shop, the second floor was added in 1852 to create the Melodeon Factory, which flourished during the middle of the 19th century as the largest manufacturer of melodeons outside Boston or New York (See Melodeon Making in East Poultney, Vermont). Since 1954, it has served as a museum for the Poultney Historical Society to display and interpret artifacts.

The Challenge

Recently the south wall suffered a catastrophic collapse, threatening the entire building. Engineer Mark Atwood of Ground-Up Engineering, Architect Tom Keefe of Keefe & Wesner and Dan Querrey of Querrey Industrial responded to the call to assess the situation, shore up the building and develop a plan.

The Project

The work has proceeded, following the plan. The entire second floor was raised on steel beams. The first-floor brick walls were removed, saving as many bricks as possible. With excavation, drainage has been improved and a below-frost foundation poured. The brick walls are being re-laid on a stone base and windows repaired and restored. When all is ready, the second floor will be lowered back to rest on the new brick walls.

Melodeon Factory Progress

These photos show the recent progress in the Melodeon Factory restoration. Click on each photo to see an enlarged image and a description.

Financial Resources

To accomplish the work The Poultney Historical Society has sought financial support from local, state and federal sources, both public and private. In addition to generous gifts from individual Society members and supporters, local and national, the project has been supported by an anonymous national foundation and a $30,000 grant from the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board. Poultney voters approved a $10,000 budget item for the project at the last town meeting.

The Present and Future: You Can Help

Work is proceeding. We anticipate that the project will be completed by July 31. We expect to have a grand re-opening of the Melodeon Factory Museum on East Poultney Day, August 9, 2008. In the meantime, as with many construction projects, anticipated costs exceed original estimates. Fund-raising efforts continue. Contributions to the Melodeon Factory Project, which are fully tax deductible, may be made to the Poultney Historical Society, PO Box 605, East Poultney, Vermont 05741.