People’s Hall, 1940s
tonya thames taylor, third from left, is shown meeting at the People's Hall, with fellow trustees Robert Frye (left); James Petro III (second from left); James Petro Jr. (fourth from right); Brenda Millard (third from right); Chairman of the East Fallowfield Historic Commission, Joe McCormick (second from right); and East Fallowfield Township Supervisor John Nielson (right). The board of managers and trustees are working to raise funds for repairs on the historic structure in East Fallowfield, Pa. Photo Credit: Bradley C Bower
Did you see our story in the June 22, 2023 edition of the Philadelphia Inquirer? Click here for story.
About People’s Hall
In the 19th Century a liberal faction within the Quakers began to take a more active role in the Abolitionist Movement. Ercildoun's proximity to the Mason-Dixon line made this small village an important crossroads of the Underground Railroad. In 1835, the East Fallowfield Anti-Slavery Society was formed and met at the Friends Meeting House. Following a Pro-Slavery attacks on local Meeting Houses, in 1845 the citizens pooled their resources and constructed the People's Hall to give the Abolitionists a place to meet undisturbed. Ercildoun was home to many Conductors on the Underground Railroad, and the People's Hall served them as a meeting place.
Since it's historical beginnings, the People's Hall continued to serve the community that founded it over 175 years ago. The People's Hall has been a meeting hall for the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, the Grange and the East Fallowfield Historical Society. It has served Ercildoun as a church, polling place, museum and the ceremony location for the Ercildoun Academy.
Reads: “ JAMES FULTON JR (1813-1850) A LEADER IN THIS COMMUNITY WHO FEARLESSLY DEVOTED HIS LIFE TO ADVOCATING WITH TONGUE AND PEN THE ABOLITION OF SLAVERY.” A co-founder of People’s Hall, James Fulton Jr (1813-1850) was instrumental and influential in the East Fallowfield Anti-Slavery society. He died before slavery was abolished. His wife, Mary, resumed his work. She had to be a force. Look at how she lost her husband and son just a year apart. This grave rests near People’s Hall. (Photo credit: tonya thames taylor, People’s Hall Trustee; June 2023)
Who We Are
Thank you for your ongoing support for this LIBERTY stop on the Underground Railroad.
Ercildoun and People’s Hall have stories to share. For example, coming through Ercildoun on the way further north, 33 freedom seekers “armed with pistols, axes, knives corn cutters…” were determined to be free. The conductor remembered “the women being as desperate as the men.” (Frances Cloud Taylor, Trackless Trail, 1976, page 28). Through various initiatives and informative programs, the Trustees of the People’s Hall have been working for over 10 years to raise awareness, funds and support for the renovation and restoration of the Hall. After all the dedication and selfless giving of our Trustees, Volunteers, Donors and Vendors, the People’s Hall is scheduled to open to the public September 20, 2025.
But there is still so much to! Please consider a gift or volunteering today.
“One old building still stands
As a tribute to voices now stilled
It stands as a monument to old ‘Friends’
Who dared to do right”
— Isabella Stokes, daughter of former enslaved Samuel Ruth, founder of the Church of Christ in Ercuildoun
If you would like to see a short video of the June 23rd event created by a trustee, please click here for a few highlights of the evening. Also, during that time, we shared an oral interview of Charles "Charlie" Brosius. The Brosius Family of Chester County were legendary in their Underground Railroad Conductor activities. In this video, Charlie Brosius recalls the legacy of Underground Railroad in Ercildoun. He shares how he and a Black descendant were told “the bill has been paid.” The families— the Ruths and Brosiuses— still reside in Chester County. Members of the Ruth family, who now has a Wm. Chester Ruth Foundation, were present at the June 23rd event. People’s Hall is managed by a board of Trustees.
In 2015, People's Hall was declared "At Risk" by Preservation PA and is listed among Pennsylvania's most endangered historic resources. Now, thanks to the dedicated energy of its Trustees, People’s Hall is up and functional.