Projects
Cemetery Restoration Day
In the center of the field across from the Meeting House, is an historic cemetery where many local legends are laid to rest. These souls were an integral part of the SEMH, "owned" the pews and shaped the very fabric of the community. As new owners of the land on which the cemetery eloquently sits, the SEMH members are honored to care for this treasure, including, removing hazardous vegetation & trees, re-installing fallen stones in their bases, righting fallen stones, protecting broken stones from further deterioration, cleaning stones and generally caring for this sacred space. Our first workshop with Jess Davis was on June 1, 2024. Jess has a wealth of cemetery information and has a broad cemetery restoration skill set; thank you Jess Davis and volunteers! Click the link above to view Jess Davis' website.
The "Carriage Shed"
For many years, it was a dream to build a shed for the South Eaton Meeting House. That vision became reality when Scott Campbell of Maine Mountain Post & Beam generously gifted us a shed frame. Scott worked with our shed committee to design a structure that best fit our needs.
The frame went up in late fall 2019, the roof was finished just in time for winter, the siding installed spring 2020 and then we, at last, moved in! Beautiful on-site storage is such an opportunity for the meeting house.
It is with gratitude that we recognize the generosity, skill and kindness of Scott Campbell, owner of Maine Mountain Post & Beam, for designing, building and donating the shed frame. It truly took a village, but a special thanks also goes to our "project manager" Dave Lovequist, his "right hand man" Don Field and our many "couldn't have done it without you" volunteers.
Foundation Project
FOUNDATION PROJECT
The Meeting House has a new foundation! The land around and under the meeting house held moisture and in an effort to solve the issue once and for all – the building was raised, a foundation poured, rotten wood replaced, perimeter drains installed and the land graded to promote a dry spot for the building. The historic nature of the meeting house was first and foremost in mind during this preservation project.
SPECIAL THANKS TO:
Fox & Sons – building moving
Guerney Land Care & Excavation – drip edge, loam & seeding
Hill Excavation – site work
Hoyt Construction – foundation
Frog Rock Woodwork – wood replacement
Conway Electric – electric
Jay Hounsell – mason
Thomas Costello – interior plaster repair
Outhouse Move & Restoration
After renting porta-poties for years, a neighbor reminded us about a beautiful abandoned outhouse behind Camp Waukeela. We approached the camp director, asked Jeff Blake if he would be coming through Eaton with an empty boom truck... and the rest is history! Dave Lovequist was instrumental in replacing sills, roof and getting the outhouse structually sound, while we all did our part to make this fun project a success.
Land Acquisition
In 2020 we had the chance of many lifetimes, to purchase the 16 acre field across Burnham Road from the meeting house. Neighbors and lifelong supporters of the SEMH, Barry & Marilyn Verney, made this possible and we are forever grateful for their visionary legacy. The Board researched, the members voted, funds were procured and the land was purchased with a conservation easement under stewardship of the EVPS.
In the center of this historic field sits the very cemetery where founding memebers of the meeting house now lay to rest. Amen.
A New Roof
In 2022/2023, staining was discoveded in our newly plastered ceiling, repaired after the building move. The roof was leaking, sheathing boards rotten, and the decision was made to buy our beloved meeting hose a new hat. Once the roof was stripped, it was apparent that the shething boards needed replacing so, as most projects go, it was a bit more than we expected - but the brand new roof looks and works perfectly!
