Third Haven Friends Meeting Trustees
2021 Annual Report
Adrienne Rudge, President, Trustees of Third Haven Monthly Meeting
Seventy-four years ago, the members of our meeting took the bold step of incorporating the Trustees of Third Haven Monthly Meeting. 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. The Trustees became owners of the buildings and grounds and began to grow what one could call an endowment for THFM.
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.
Nearly two years ago, under the leadership of Bill Lane, the Trustees embarked on another restoration project of the Old Meeting House. Since then, a laser scan of the meetinghouse has been completed and dendrochronology confirmed lumber and doors dating from 1680 and 1709. In addition, the plaster was stabilized by Christopher Mills Plaster Conservation Services. Consideration is being given to ways of promoting passive ventilation in the building.
James Mosner has begun the work of restoring the 14 windows in the meetinghouse but a shipment of glass from Germany has been held up, prolonging that process. Other work to be done includes siding repair and painting. Willie Graham, an architectural historian, is providing oversight and will produce a report that includes a long-range maintenance plan.
Current Trustees are Larny Claggett, Marsie Hawkinson, Bill Lane, Allan Mielke, Diana Rein, Adrienne Rudge and Priscilla Bond Sener.
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.