On Christmas Eve Carpenters' Hall was broken into and a fire was started in the basement. The fire came at the end of a once-in-a-generation preservation project, and after eight months of closure, the Hall was set to reopen in February.
While the fire was thankfully contained in the basement, the basement and its contents suffered extensive damage in the flames. As we navigate the damage and explore a new path to reopening, we are asking the public to support us in our efforts. While insurance will cover much of the destruction, Carpenters' Hall will need to commit to new improvements to prevent another tragedy from occurring again in the future. Public donations will help to fund an improved security system, including new security cameras, fire protection systems, fireproof archival storage, and environmental protections for our collections.
As we look towards the 250th anniversary of the First Continental Congress in just over a year, it is more vital than ever that we reopen the Hall as it was intended: as a meeting place for the community, a civic forum, and a building for the people.
About Carpenters' Hall: A National Historic Landmark, Carpenters' Hall was built in the early 1770s and hosted the First Continental Congress in 1774, one of the most significant events in the founding of our nation. We are located in Independence National Historical Park, but the building is privately owned and maintained by the nonprofit Carpenters' Company, which was founded in 1724 and is the nation's oldest continuously operating trade guild. Carpenters' Hall receives around 120,000 visitors annually, and donations enable us to maintain the site and provide free admission.
If you prefer to donate by check (payable to The Carpenters' Company), you can mail contributions to: Carpenters' Hall Recovery Fund, 320 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19106. Thank You!
