The Lunenburg Academy is a National Historic Site. Photo: Government of Canada.
The Lunenburg Academy Foundation (LAF) is looking to bring the Academy’s old school bell back to campus.
When the Lunenburg Academy was in operation as a school its bell played an important role, letting students and the community know when classes were about to begin and when they were ending.
“The bell got us to school on time,” said Jane Ritcey. “I walked to school from Blockhouse Hill Road, and I could hear the bell clearly across town.”
Sydney Knickle, who rang the bell from high above in the tower, could see the kids approaching Gallows Hill. It was known he would sometimes extend the ring time for the stragglers so they could reach the grounds before the Academy doors shut. Punctuality was crucial, and when the bell stopped, school started.”
The restoration of the bell will serve as the LAF’s latest fundraiser initiative. As they work to restore the bell they will be receiving donations to fund their Next Century Capital Campaign.
Tom Hayes who Chairs the Next Century Capital Campaign said, “It will help to push the campaign forward, ensuring the continued care and restoration of this iconic example of our national heritage.”
The Lunenburg Academy no longer operates as a school but it is still very important to the town both historically and as a tourist attraction. The building is still in use and is home to things like the Lunenburg Academy of Music Performance as well it has also been used by the provincial government as a pilot site for pre-primary education.
Hayes says the bell will soon be sent to its original creators at the Lunenburg Foundry (now known as LIFE). They first made the 650-pound iron bell in 1895 to coincide with the Academy’s opening.
Hayes says the specifics about where and how the bell will be displayed are still being worked out but they plan to display it in a prominent location on the campus.
While the plan is for the bell to remain on display for most of the time Hayes says they are hopeful following the restoration they will be able to actually use and ring the bell on special occasions.
If you want to support or find out more about the project you can visit the LAF website.
