By Lisa Byers
First District principal Delta Zahniser is hoping the renascence of a 1,500-pound brass bell that once hung in the bell tower of the old First District Elementary School will help those students answer that question.
“We’re really hoping it can be used as a learning tool,” Zahniser said. “Just saying something is 140 years old doesn’t tell the whole story. But seeing it gives a whole new understanding.”
The bell once stood atop First District Elementary, but was eventually removed and placed in a storage shed located behind the school in an effort to better utilize space, Zahniser has been told. She said the bell remained in the shed for between six and seven years until a maintenance worker told her about it.
A self-described history buff, Zahniser made it her mission to see that the bell was erected inside the school once again. And in August, during major construction work at the school, that dream came true when the bell was hoisted into its position in the second-story library.
“What a historical treasure it is,” said Zahniser, who worked with contractors during the recent renovation of First District to ensure there would be a place for the bell. “My goal was to get the bell back in the school. And, thanks to a lot of work by a lot of people, it happened.”
A box of history
It wasn’t until last month, however, that the bell display received its finishing touches. Zahniser invited the second-graders at First District to help her make that finishing touch by placing items inside a box holding the bell, thus making a time capsule. Some of the items the students chose to put in the time capsule included the 2008-09 yearbook, composite picture of last year’s students and faculty, a telephone book, an edition of The Meadville Tribune and another, very old, phone book.
Once the children put all the items inside the box, maintenance crews closed the lid and bolted the bell in place on top of it. Then it was time for the bell to tell the second grade students a story — a story of the 140-year history of First District Elementary, with the help of local historian Sandy Porter. He has made it his mission to track down and document every church and school bell in Crawford County for an upcoming book, and he has uncovered many interesting stories along the way.
He brought with him pictures of the various stages of the school, including a photograph of the Meadville arsenal built in 1817 on the same site at the corner of Randolph and North Main streets that was deeded over to the city and used as a school until 1869 when North Ward Public School was erected.
And that year — 1869 — is inscribed on the bell.
The school was also known as Dick School, beside Reynolds Manual Arts School, according to Porter’s studies, and in 1938 became First District School.
Porter brought along pictures that showed students arriving to school by horse and buggy and by trolley. He also told the students how years ago students walked home for lunch and waited for the bell to toll, indicating their return to school.
Porter told the students the bell could be heard as far away as Saegertown, to which the second-graders gasped, Zahniser said. “Their mouths dropped. They couldn’t believe it.”
Porter then gave every student the opportunity to ring the bell.
“That was the highlight of their day,” Zahniser said. “They were so excited.”
“The bell really helps tell the story of their school and the town,” she continued. “It shows the changing of needs.”
Zahniser said she believes the students now have a better understanding of just that. The only question she still has is why her school was fortunate enough to still have their bell and why it is it was so well-preserved.
One of the best
“What they have there is the Cadillac of bells,” Porter said. “They have the best bell money could buy. Most bells I’ve found are bronze (not brass, like theirs). And, this is a Meneely bell, which is a premier bell foundry. When they bought this bell, they spared no expense. That’s what makes it so unusual. It really is a treasure.”
And thanks to Zahniser, it’s now on display for all to see.
“It’s in the library, our biggest space,” she said. “That’s kind of our community center. When we have PTO meetings, parent meetings, we’ll get the opportunity to share this with the community. It’s a great thing. We’re so excited.”
Zahniser isn’t necessarily finished, though.
Around the bell is a vast area she hopes to one day cover with photographs and literature detailing the history of the school. Porter has supplied her with some photographs, but she is hoping the community may be able to help provide additional information.
“The bell sets the stage,” she said. “If we could get some pictures to help show even more, that would be great.”
Lisa Byers can be reached at 724-6370 or by e-mail at lbyers@meadvilletribune.com.
