Hearse House History
In the early to mid 1800s towns often took responsibility for owning and storing a hearse for use by the residents on the occasion of death.
On March 4, 1805, the District of Berlin voted to grant $100 towards providing a hearse and a hearse house for the community. The committee of Levi Merriam, Solomon Howe and Henry Powers were to procure said hearse and build a house to keep it in. The oldest remaining municipal building in Berlin predating the Powder House.
Owning the Hearse House
In 1973 the Society purchased the Hearse House from the Gill Family at 24 Woodward Avenue. The building had been used as a residential garage since 1926.
Moving the Hearse House
The Society (and friends) moved the Hearse House back to the Old Burying Ground in Berlin's town center.
Professional Restoration
A hurricane in 2012 severely damaged the building and the Society hired preservation carpenter, Tim Wohlhueter of Squaw Hollow Restoration.
Hearse House Building Committee
Established in December 2022 to focus solely on the restoration and re-erection of the Hearse House in Berlin's town center. Committee members: Bob Blair, Mary Redington, and Rebecca von Geldern.
Test Fitting the Frame
Last fall restoration carpenter Tim Wohlhueter and BAHS volunteers test fitted the scribe building's frame. The Select Board has agreed to take ownership of the building once re-erected. While the Society has agreed to maintain the building for at least 20 years. For more information go to our blog.
.jpg/:/rs=w:370,cg:true,m)
.jpg/:/rs=w:370,cg:true,m)
.jpg/:/rs=w:370,cg:true,m)