Smithfield Presbyterian Church
About this property
The National Abolition Hall of Fame and Museum is a museum located in Peterboro, New York, that honors American abolitionists by showcasing their work to end slavery, and the legacy of their struggle: the drive to end racism. The museum is located at 5255 Pleasant Valley Road, between Elizabeth and Park Streets, in the hamlet of Peterboro, New York. Specifically, the museum can be found on the second floor of a historic Presbyterian church. The church, which was built in 1820, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994. Although it has not been used as a church since 1870, it has housed the Evans Academy, the Peterboro Union School, and the Peterboro Elementary School since then. The Town Hall of the Town of Smithfield can now be found in the first floor, with the town clerk's office (note the small sign at right of building). Most notably, the museum is located in the same building in which the inaugural meeting of the New York State Anti-Slavery Society was held in 1835. The original meeting, which was located in Utica, was aborted by pro-slavery protestors, including the New York Senator, and the following year New York Attorney General, Samuel Beardsley. Gerrit Smith, a leading American social reformer, suggested Peterboro, New York as an alternate location. The meeting was deemed "the largest convention ever assembled in that State for any purpose whatever", with 1,000 people in attendance. George Gavin Ritchie (see Colgate Maroon-News#History) Sernett, Milton C. (2022). "Come to Peterboro!" Commemorating the 175th Anniversary of the Founding of the New York State Anti-Slavery Society October 21–22, 1835. Peterboro, New York: National Abolition Hall of Fame and Museum.
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Categories
Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).
Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Everything a full report reveals about Smithfield Presbyterian Church
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Questions about this property
When was Smithfield Presbyterian Church listed on the National Register?
Smithfield Presbyterian Church was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 12, 1994.
What type of historic resource is Smithfield Presbyterian Church?
Smithfield Presbyterian Church is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.
What is the period of significance for Smithfield Presbyterian Church?
The period of significance for Smithfield Presbyterian Church is recorded as the industrial era.
Can I research the history near Smithfield Presbyterian Church?
Yes. Aubrey Research reports search National Register listings, battlefield records, land patents, and other primary historical sources within any radius of a US address. A report for an address near Smithfield Presbyterian Church will include this listing and all other historical records in the area.
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