The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Take a tour of Bevin Bells
EAST HAMPTON — The Chatham Historical Society is hosting a walking tour of the Bevin Bells factory in East Hampton on Sunday at 1 p.m. Walkers will learn the history of the company tour the factory, and learn how the bells are made. They will also visit the original factory site that was destroyed by fire in 2012. The walk is sponsored East Hampton Parks and Recreation Dept.
During the early 1800s, Abner and William Bevin became indentured servants to William Barton, the first bell maker in what became the modern town of East Hampton. After finishing out their obligations to Barton, the two brothers set up small foundries in their backyards and began casting bells. They decided to go into business together in 1832. With the addition of brothers Chauncey and Philo, the Bevin Brothers Manufacturing Company truly became a family business. The company thrived well into the 1900s by producing a wide variety of bells for shipment all over the world. Bevin Brothers made tea bells, ice cream bells, door bells, naval bells, and even replicas of the Liberty Bell.
On May 27, 2012, a lightning strike sparked a fire destroyed the Bevin Brothers’ historic bell factory. Moving a quarter-mile away and rehiring a substantial portion of the company’s employees, the family-run concern resumed bell production in less than 6 months. Today, the company continues its operations in East Hampton, shipping out cow bells, bells for nursing homes, and thousands of bells to the Salvation Army. It is the only bell factory in the U. S.
Catherine “Cap” Egan, manager of Bevin Bells Co., will give the tour of the factory.
This monthly series of hikes is designed to introduce people to the history of East Hampton. The hikes also foster friendships, promote a healthy lifestyle, and help develop an appreciation of the history of East Hampton.
The walk will begin at the Chatham Historical Society Museum Complex at 6 Bevin Blvd. in downtown East Hampton. The walk will be approximately 1 mile and is recommended for children 6 years to adults. It will take approimately 1 and a half hours. No dogs are permitted. Heavy rain will cancel the hike. Parking is available by the museum or behind the Center School.
For further information about upcoming walks or the Chatham Historical Society, visit https:www.chathamhistoricalct.org/ or contact Marty Podskoch, coordinator of the “Explore East Hampton” walks at 860-267-2442, podskoch@comcast.net, Also visit http://www.easthamptonrec.com/info/ activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=27025