In 1816, a rural Quaker community built a simple meetinghouse in western New York - and from that vantage point they welcomed, witnessed, and often lead, the great reform movements of the 19th century, expanding democracy in America. This Meetinghouse represents the confluence of movements for equal rights and social justice for all people, including African Americans, Native Americans, and women.

 

In 1927 the Meetinghouse had been sold and was being used as a barn. From then, it suffered years of neglect and disrepair, and when a windstorm blew off a wall in February 2006, demolition was next. That catastrophe galvanized a  small group of local supporters to preserve and restore this nationally significant building - a simple structure with an extraordinary legacy. The Meetinghouse was moved to a permanent location at the southeast corner of Country Road 8 and Sheldon Road, in the Farmington Quaker Crossroads Historic District, in November 2011. The Meetinghouse will be accurately restored to its prime as a center for human rights activism and is currently in its second of five phases of restoration.

 

Equal rights for all, which is its heritage, will continue to be the theme of the restored building. The struggle for equal rights is not over. Educational activities and exhibits of local, regional, national, and international importance will illuminate the current and future struggles for human rights.

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Supporters of the museum include New York State's Environmental Protection Fund, the National Park Service's Network to Freedom, the Preservation League of New York State, Rochester Area Community Foundation, Canandaigua National Bank, Church Women United, Lyons National Bank, Chace Fund of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of Friends, Heritage New York Women's History Trail, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Town of Farmington, Farmington- Scipio Regional Meeting of Friends, Farmington Friends Meeting, and many, many individuals.  

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Today, the site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the National Park Service's Underground Railroad Network to Freedom, and the National Collaborative of Women's History Sites.