Old Round Church, Federal architecture meetinghouse in Richmond, Vermont, US
The Old Round Church is a building with sixteen exterior sides and a single central steeple located in Richmond, Vermont. The two-story structure uses hidden wooden posts to create a circular interior space despite its multi-sided exterior form.
Construction began in 1812 to serve five separate Protestant congregations sharing a single worship space. This arrangement was unusual for the time, as different religious groups typically maintained separate buildings.
The Richmond Historical Society maintains this National Historic Landmark, which remains a testament to early American religious cooperation and architectural innovation.
The building opens seasonally from June through October and welcomes visitors for free tours of its interior. Plan your visit for the warmer months when the building is staffed and accessible to the public.
The most striking feature is the contrast between its angular exterior and circular interior created through clever wooden frame construction. The hidden corner posts make the sixteen-sided polygon feel round inside, creating a unique visual experience that builders rarely attempted.
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