Westford in Middlesex County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)

Abbot Bell 1897

Photographed by Craig Doda, April 8, 2023

1. Abbot Bell 1897 Marker

Inscription. This gazebo houses the second bell that hung above Westford Academy, the building now known as the Roudenbush Community Center. The Trustees desired a larger bell, so this was to replace the original. The first, cast by Paul Revere, is currently on display in the Westford Academy Bell Lobby. The bell you see here was cast in 1897 by the Meneely Bell Company in Troy, New York, and gifted to Westford Academy by graduate John William Abbot. It remained above what is now Roudenbush Community Center until Palm Sunday in 1977, when a storm knocked the spire to the side. The bell was moved here as an important piece of Westford history.

This second Westford Academy building was where the Abbot Bell hung for almost a century (1897-1977).

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. In addition, it is included in the Historic Bells series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1897.

Location. 42° 34.83′ N, 71° 26.275′ W. Marker is in Westford, Massachusetts, in Middlesex County. It is on Boston Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near

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this postal address: 2 Boston Rd, Westford MA 01886, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Boston.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in New England,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: North Bridge Battle Drum (here, next to this marker); Westford Academy (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Westford Academy (a few steps from this marker); Westford World War II Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Westford Civil War Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of Westford Academy (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Colonel John Robinson (about 300 feet away); Westford Academy Foundation (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Westford.

Photographed by Craig Doda, April 8, 2023

2. Abbot Bell 1897 Marker

Abbot Bell 1897 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, April 8, 2023

3. Abbot Bell 1897

Second Westford Academy Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, April 8, 2023

4. Second Westford Academy Building

On main street. Where the bell originally hung.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 23, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 20, 2023, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 568 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 20, 2023, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.