Bell-Raising Community Event

Tuesday, November 28, 2023

About 10:00 am (Weather Permitting)

When the Great Stone Dwelling was built in 1837 a large bell was put in the belfry to call the Shakers to meals and other community wide activities. The first bell cracked and was replaced in 1848 by the bell that lives in the belfry today.

The belfry and the bell it housed were an audible and visible presence for miles around for the next 175 years, but it’s exposed position and the New Hampshire weather took its toll.  In the spring of 2023 it was determined that the posts supporting the roof of the belfry had deteriorated to the point that replacement was the only alternative. Following several months of preparation, July 17 the day we had all been waiting for – crane day arrived.  Working from a 125 foot man lift, the belfry was rigged for a 140 foot crane to lift it straight off the building.  It was placed on scaffolding on the ground, the bell lifted off and stored away for the summer.

On Tuesday, November, 28th (weather permitting) the crane will be back at Enfield Shaker Museum to raise the bell and belfry to the rooftop.

In the spirit of barn raisings (the visually exciting highlight of barn building), you are invited to attend a Bell-Raising Community Event. Historically, the expectation arose that the community would create a festive family atmosphere around the laborious activity a barn raising required. Today with the help of cranes and modern hydraulic equipment the laborious part is significantly reduced but the potential for a festive community event still exists!

The crane will arrive about 8:30 am. At about 10:00 am the bell will be raised to the deck of the bell tower, followed by the belfry itself.

There is plenty of free parking (behind the Great Stone Dwelling) and we will have some chairs set-up in the side yard should you want to sit.  Should the weather not cooperate we will post changes in the schedule on Facebook and in this listing on the website.

Come and bring your camera (phone) for some great photo opportunities.