Henderson’s historic bell set to receive much-needed repairs

The historic bell was carefully removed from its perch and prepared for transport on July 17.

Henderson State University's historic bell will soon receive some much-needed repairs. The cast iron bell, which has been a fixture on the university's South Lawn for many years, was carefully removed July 17.

Current hardware will be disassembled, cleaned, and blasted to remove accumulated dirt and debris. The bell's surface will be thoroughly cleaned, and any imperfections will be carefully smoothed out.

The bell, including its yoke and frame, will be primed and painted to protect and restore its original appearance. The stand and existing plaque will also be refurbished.

The fully-restored bell is expected to be reinstalled on the South Lawn in time for Henderson's homecoming in October.

Placed at the entrance of Henderson's original main building in 1890, the bell rang for class periods, meals, and other occasions. It also rang the night of the fire that destroyed the building in 1914.

The bell was salvaged and later erected at its current site on the South Lawn, surrounded by holly trees planted as a memorial to five students and a teacher who lost their lives in World War I.

The project is funded through the William Harold Sturgis Trust and Henderson Foundation.