By Beth David, Editor
Who knew the Fairhaven Bell Committee would have so much to do? Less than a year after a successful and major operation to remove the Paul-Revere-made bell from the cupola of the Oxford School on Main Street, the committee has found a new project: Removing the bell from the Rogers School.
The Rogers bell is not as storied as the Oxford Bell, which was made by Paul Revere’s company in 1795, but its removal is probably more important. The Rogers bell is about to fall out of its cradle.
The Rogers bell was cast by William Black & Co., formerly Henry N Hooper & Co. of Boston in 1885 and weighs 890 pounds according to an old newspaper article, undated, but probably from the Fairhaven Star in July, 1885. Both those names are on the bell. The article announces the opening of the school to students.
“To its musical sound our children respond morning and afternoon of each school day, and content should all we parents be that, in the goodness of one heart, do our little ones get so much of that, which aids them toward true manhood and womanhood, that otherwise could not possess.”
The bell marked the beginning and end of school, and alerted residents to fires.
On Saturday, 7/30, at 10 a.m., the bell will be removed from a rusting and collapsed cradle. The public is encouraged to attend and take pictures with the bell after it is removed. The committee has enlisted the help of volunteers, including A#1 Crane Service, whose owner Patrick Carr, donated the services free of charge. Keith Silvia will build a crate for the bell to be transported safely.
The committee hopes to have the bell returned to the school at some point after rebuilding the cradle.
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