The Camp Eastman Development Association, with approval of the Camp Committee, has begun work on the restoration of the bell located in front of Eastman Lodge. CEDA’s plans include removal of the bell and frame, sandblasting and powder coating of the metal pieces, and remounting of the bell on a new post at the same location.

Bill Palmer Jr., who was in Troop 66 as a boy, informed us that he “was always told that the bell was given to camp by Troop 66 at St. Patrick's and the bell came from the Old school which is now a parking lot.”  Bill confirmed his recollection with Camp Ranger Dick Lox. CEDA is still looking for photos or stories from anyone who was in attendance when the bell was originally installed.

Kevin Mineart and Jim Ellison remove bolts

The bell is lifted from it's frame onto a trailer

Concerns that the bell would be too heavy for the lift were unfounded, and the bell was moved to the trailer without incident. The bolts securing the frame to the mounting post proved too corroded to be removed, and had to be cut off before the frame could be removed.

On January 28^th, with the assistance of several members of the Junior Woodchucks, CEDA began work on the project. The plan was to remove the bolts holding the headstock, on which the bell is mounted, from the frame and then move the assembly to a trailer using CEDA’s JLG lift. Below freezing temperatures and several coats of old paint made the removal of the bolts a difficult process. After about an hour of struggling, the bolts were removed and the headstock was strapped to the lift’s boom arm.

Gary Sheets unhooks the bell from the JLG Lift

Waiting for transportation to Burlington

The bell next travelled to the Modern Welding Company in Burlington where it was fully dismantled and sandblasted clean. Modern Welding is generously providing their services at no charge. After the bell was ready, it was moved to Flint Cliff Manufacturing to be powder-coated with a thermosetting resin that produces an attractive finish and excellent weathering characteristics. Flint Cliff also donated their facilities and materials to help with the project.

Click Here to see Part Two of the Project

This project has been made possible by generous donations of labor and materials from both Modern Welding and Flint Cliff Manufacturing, as well as several hours of volunteer work by friends of Camp Eastman, and is a shining example of how CEDA works to pair it’s funding of projects with generously donated or discounted labor and materials.