A Light Preserved: Deerfield’s Gasolier

A Light Preserved: The Story of Deerfield’s Gasolier

Written by: Lucinda Borrone, Curator & President of The Deerfield Historical Society

In 2024, the Deerfield Bible Church began a much-needed mold remediation and restoration project—an effort to care for not just the physical health of its congregation, but the structural heart of a place that has served the community for generations.

As walls came down and items were cleared out, Pastor Jonathan Black made a phone call that would help preserve a precious part of Deerfield’s past. He reached out to the Deerfield Historical Society and simply said, “There are some things here I think you should see.”

Among the items slated for removal were pieces that carried the weight of history: a beautiful Empire game table, an altar table, wide king’s boards, and old wooden shutters. These pieces, once woven into the everyday life of the church, were headed for an uncertain fate. But Pastor Black’s eye for their value—both spiritual and historical—ensured they would not be lost.

And then came the words: “I have something in the shed.”

Inside, sitting quietly in the shadows, were six kerosene lanterns—still containing traces of fuel—and something more magnificent still: a six-armed Gasolier, circa 1870–1880.

This grand kerosene chandelier tells a story of craftsmanship and innovation from another time. It features six large brass center-draft oil lamps mounted on a spoked frame, each retaining its original crystal chimney. These chimneys, acid-marked Granite Glass “Lead Flint Trademark”, can be traced to the New England Glass Works. The lamps themselves were made by Edward Miller & Co., a respected name in American lighting known for the Juno center-draft design—celebrated for its stable flame and efficient burn.

Originally gilded in gold using an electroplating process popular in the second half of the 19th century, much of the exterior finish has worn away with time. But inside, the warm shimmer of the original gilt still remains, a reminder of the beauty this fixture once radiated when it hung above church gatherings, illuminating sacred moments.

It is incredibly rare to find a piece like this in such complete condition. And now, thanks to that phone call and the commitment of the Deerfield Historical Society, the Gasolier is set to shine once again.

It will be fully restored by Acu-Bright Inc. of Exeter, NH, a nationally respected firm that has restored lighting fixtures for none other than the White House and the Smithsonian Institution. When expert restorer and owner, Keith heard about the project, he was thrilled—sharing in our excitement for bringing new life to this irreplaceable piece of Deerfield’s history.

The Gasolier will be sensitively electrified for safety and longevity, while honoring the look and spirit of its original form. Once restored, it will hang proudly in the Upstairs Gallery of the Historical Society Museum alongside another community treasure, Mr. Bill O’Neal’s Grandfather Clock.

It is a fitting home for such a fixture: a space that celebrates light, time, and the enduring beauty of the past.

We are deeply grateful to Pastor Jonathan Black and the Deerfield Bible Church for recognizing the importance of preservation and for their generous spirit. Their willingness to share these pieces ensures that future generations will not only see the past—but feel it, illuminated by the same light that once lit Deerfield over 150 years ago.