Third Haven Friends Meeting Trustees
2020 Annual Report
Adrienne Rudge, President, Trustees of Third Haven Monthly Meeting
Seventy-three years ago, the members of our meeting took the bold step of incorporating the Trustees of Third Haven Monthly Meeting. That decision has been paying dividends, literally and figuratively, ever since. One factor that influenced their decision was the possibility that Third Haven might have to be "laid down," in which case our historic Meeting House and graveyard would revert to Philadelphia Yearly Meeting. By establishing a separate financial entity, the members thoughtfully provided for the future of Third Haven Friends Meeting in ways that even they may never have imagined.
Funding for the Trustee accounts has come from donations, legacy gifts and from the growth of investments. Traditionally the Trustees support capital projects, large and small. In the 1980's, the construction of the Common Room was partially financed by the Trustees, and in the 1990's a major restoration of the Old Meeting House was supported by nearly $450,000 of Trustee funds. Working closely with the Property and Grounds Committee, the Trustees annually pay for such efforts as major tree trimming and any work other than routine maintenance of the buildings.
Seven members of THFM serve as Trustees. When there is a vacancy, the Nominating Committee proposes three members of the meeting from which the Trustees choose one. Current Trustees are Larny Claggett, Marsie Hawkinson, Bill Lane, Allan Mielke, Diana Rein, Adrienne Rudge and Priscilla Bond Sener.
Sumner Parker resigned last summer after many years of service to Third Haven as a member of the Trustees. His guidance on investing Trustee funds and on the establishment of the Scholarship Committee were key to many decisions during his tenure. Additionally, we mourn the recent death of long-time Trustee Ken Carroll. His leadership over several decades was essential to the growth and development of both our Meeting and the Trustees.
In 2021, the Trustees are excited to be embarking on a major restoration project in the Old Meeting House. Thanks to Bill Lane, we have found exceptionally well-qualified artisans to do extensive repair work on each of the 14 windows, to stabilize the plaster in the attic, and to repair and paint the siding. Willie Graham, an architectural historian who spent most of his career at Colonial Williamsburg, is providing oversight and will produce a report that includes a longrange maintenance plan. As part of the project, a laser scan of the OMH was performed in April. Regular updates on the restoration will be available to the membership.
I urge all members and attenders to support the preservation work of the Trustees of Third Haven Monthly Meeting by making an outright gift or by designating a legacy gift in their estate plans.