Northern Westchester

The Bedford Historical Society got a good look under Historical Hall this month after workers pulled out warping floorboards as part of a long-awaited renovation of the 19th century building.

Under the first floor, the society said they uncovered a series of stones that they believe were part of the foundation of an even older building — the town’s original meeting house that was built in the 1680s.

Historical Hall, a former Methodist Church built in 1806, was moved to the present site on the Bedford Village Green in 1837, according to the historical society.

Workers have also found some artifacts during the project, including a clear half-pint bottle believed to once hold liquor as well as old glass shards.

The society has been inviting visitors to stop by to check out the old building, which will be open on Saturday and Sunday, July 24-25. The building will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day.

Historical Hall needs some serious work. The ends of some of the old floor timbers have rotted away. The wooden layer between the Historical Hall foundation and the rest of the building has also deteriorated in some places, said Evelyne Ryan, the society’s executive director.

The society, which rents out the hall for parties and other events, is raising money to help fix up the building.

To donate or to see photos of the renovation, go to the historical society’s website — www.bedfordhistoricalsociety.org.

PHOTOS: Workers began a renovation of Historical Hall this month. Estelle Chojnicki, pictured in the bottom photo, stands next to a bucket of soil she removed from under Historical Hall on July 22. Chojnicki is the Bedford Historical Society’s building superintendent.

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