BRISTOL – American Legion Post 209 is working to bring a bell made in 1837 by Hartford’s Doolittle Clock and Bell Factory to Quinlan Park just in time for this year’s Veterans Day ceremony.
Brian Avery, commander of American Legion Post 209, said that the bell was donated to the Legion by the family of Frank Owsianko, of Forestville, who died in 1996.
“It belonged to a gentleman whose father used to own Frank’s Stationary and Variety, where 150 Central is now,” said Avery. “He got the bell at least 40 years ago and used to carry it down the street in a flatbed during the Forestville Parade. It had been sitting in a shed for 25 years as the family tried to figure out what to do with it. They approached me and said they’d like to have it used to honor veterans at Quinlan Park.”
Avery said that he is working with Pepin Steel of Bristol to come up with designs for how to properly mount the historic bell. On Jan. 20, he will be meeting with the city’s Park Board to give them pictures of the bell and discuss plans for how it will be displayed at Quinlan Park.
“This is a unique piece of history, that should not be sitting in a shed, collecting dust,” said Avery. “There are a lot of people related to the Doolittle family in Bristol who are very excited about it. I feel like it will be used to enhance our services at Quinlan Park as we honor, respect and remember those that gave the ultimate sacrifice for God and Country.”
Avery said he believes that the bell was once used in a local church.
The American Legion Post 209 Facebook provides a link to where people can learn more about the Doolittle Clock and Bell Factory and other bell-makers in Connecticut: connecticuthistory.org/early-church-bell-founders/.
Avery has begun fundraising for the mount which will ultimately hold the antique bell. Those who wish to contribute can do so via Venmo @Brian-Avery-19 or PayPal at brianavery@sbcglobal.net.
People can also mail checks to American Legion Post 209, PO Box 9408, Forestville, CT 06011 and write “bell” on the bottom of the check.
Brian M. Johnson can be reached at 860-973-1806 or bjohnson@bristolpress.com.
