[Paul Revere bell]

Item

Title: [Paul Revere bell]
Description: Postcard shows the large "Paul Revere bell", formerly on display at the Lucius Beebe Memorial Library. The bell is famous in town because it was made by the firm of Paul Revere. The work was probably done by his son, Joseph, but the bell is considered an original Revere bell because it was cast during his lifetime. The bell, weighing "about eight hundred and fifty weight", was purchased in 1815 by the town of South Reading for the parish for $350. The bell was hung in steeple of the First Parish Congregational Meeting House. In 1859 it was moved to the cupola of the Town's meeting hall on Church Street. The town hall was moved in 1871 to the corner of Main and Salem Streets and the bell moved with it. In 1888 is was moved to the new High School, what is now the William Lee Memorial Town Hall (Lafayette Building). In 1930 the bell was relocated to the lower lobby of Beebe Library, and in 1973 was brought up to the main floor lobby in the historic part of the building. The bell was transferred to the Wakefield Savings Bank during the Library's renovation and reconstruction in 1997. Later, it was moved to the lobby of the Galvin Middle School, where it remains today.; "On display in the Lucius Beebe Memorial Library, Wakefield, Mass., is this Paul Revere bell. Cast in 1815, during the patriot's lifetime, the bell has since occupied many prominent positions in Wakefield and was used as part of a 'fire alarm telegraph' in the late 19th century." -- Text from back of postcard.
Contributor: Institution: Lucius Beebe Memorial Library
Coverage: Massachusetts--Middlesex (county)--Wakefield; 525 Main Street (Wakefield, Mass.)
Date: [1970-1979?]
Format: image/jpeg
Publisher: Boston, Mass. : Colourpicture
Subject: Revere, Paul, 1735-1818; Bells
Type: still image; Cards
Original Format: 1 postcard : color
Extent: 9 x 14 cm.

Item sets: Wakefield Postcards

Media: postcard50.jpg