Duanesburg in Schenectady County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Friends Meeting House
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, December 1, 2007
1. Friends Meeting House
Meeting House
Erected 1807 Near Site
Of Original Log Structure
1st Preacher—Ezekiel Tripp
Society Organized About 1790
Erected 1932 by New York State Education Department.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. In addition, it is included in the Quakerism series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1807.
Location. 42° 44.08′ N, 74° 11.195′ W. Marker is in Duanesburg, New York, in Schenectady County. Marker is on New York State Route 7, on the right when traveling west. This marker is located in the hamlet of Quaker Street, in the Schenectady County Town of Duanesburg. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10226, Quaker Street NY 12141, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Duanesburg Reformed Presbyterian Church (approx. 2.8 miles away); Christ Episcopal Church (approx. 2.8 miles away); William North (approx. 2.8 miles away); James Duane (approx. 2.8 miles away); a different marker also named Christ Episcopal Church
this page online
More about this marker. This historic marker is seen above back in place at the edge of Route 7 and in front of the meeting house, after receivng a fresh coat of paint. It had been down for some time after being knocked over by a snow plow last winter.
Regarding Friends Meeting House. The little village of Quaker Street, in the Schenectady County town of Duanesburg, is in one of the oldest settlements in this part of New York State. Two hundred years ago, in 1807, The Religious Society of Friends, whose members are commonly known as Quakers, built the current frame building to replace the previous building, a log structure.
The Quakers, after buying the land from the family of James Duane, began building the meeting house in 1807, probably began using it in
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, December 8, 2007
2. The Quaker Meeting House and Historic Marker
This well-preserved two story building has an attic and slate roof, rests on a field stone foundation with no cellar. It was originally built with no porch and had a dividing- folding partition, through the center of the building, which was raised and lowered by means of pulleys and ropes, because the men and women usually entered and sat on opposite sides of the room. The partitions were removed in 1885. An adjoining carriage shed and burial ground are still on the property.
“The architecture tells you everything you need to know about the Quakers... It’s white and gray, very simple and plain, with no embellishment or accoutrements, and that speaks volumes about the Quaker faith. They believe in complete directness, honesty, plainness, with no guile or personality. You’re not supposed to draw attention to yourself.” —Art Willis, Quaker and Duanesburg Town Historian
Also see . . . Quaker Street Historic District
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, December 1, 2007
3. Friends Meeting House
Additional keywords. Quaker Street Friends Meeting House Duane Duanesburg
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, March 29, 2008
4. Interior of the Friends Meeting House
On Saturday March 29, 2008 the Duanesburg Central School District along with the Duanesburg Historical Society, the New York Folklore Society and the Duanesburg Area Community Center (DACC) sponsored the fifth annual "Duanesburg Days", a community celebration to recognize the local heritage and culture of Duanesburg's past. One of the activities of the day was a bus tour of Quaker Street featuring a visit to the Friends Meeting house. Our Tour Guide was Mr. Art Willis, Duanesburg Town Historian and a member of the Quaker Church, seen standing here answering questions about the Meeting House after delivering a brief lecture.
5. Drawing of Friends Meeting House
This building is in the Library of Congress
Historic American Building Survey.
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, February 21, 2009
6. Friends Meeting House Cemetery
There is a cemetery on the grounds of the meeting house directly behind the meeting house building and the carriage shed.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 9, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 8, 2007, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. This page has been viewed 2,155 times since then and 104 times this year. Last updated on March 8, 2008, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 8, 2007, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. 4. submitted on April 5, 2008, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. 5. submitted on December 8, 2007, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. 6. submitted on August 7, 2009, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.
