Midway in Liberty County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Story of the "Bell" at Dorchester Academy
Dorchester Academy
— Museum Of African American History —
Photographed By Mike Stroud, July 2008
1. Dorchester Academy Marker,The Story of the " Bell " at Dorchester Academy
Upper right hand corner label reads :
This sign was made possible through the
financial support of the City of Flemington
with great places to "stay" in Liberty County.
Inscription.
The Story of the "Bell" at Dorchester Academy. Dorchester Academy. The Midway Congregational Church bell played a very important role in the lives of Dorchester Academy students. It kept time by ringing with an echo that could be heard seven to ten miles away. The bell rang every day at six, seven, eight, nine, twelve, and three o'clock. The six o'clock bell awoke campus residents and marked a start time for area students walking to school. The breakfast bell rang at seven o'clock. The eight o'clock bell signaled the start of classes. When the ringing stopped, all students had to be inside the building. The bell ringer would extend the rings if he saw kids hurrying down the road. Often, students who walked to school would literally be saved by the bell. The nine o'clock ringing meant that all classes had started and those who were late would not be allowed to attend school that day. The lunch bell rang at twelve o'clock, and the three o'clock bell dismissed pupils from school for the day., (sidebar), The African American members of the Midway Congregational Church broke away to form their own church in 1872 and later build their own church in 1894. It was at their request that Dorchester Academy developed. The American Missionary Association supports both the school and church for a time. This connection is why the church bell was used by Dorchester Academy.
The Midway Congregational Church bell played a very important role in the lives of Dorchester Academy students. It kept time by ringing with an echo that could be heard seven to ten miles away. The bell rang every day at six, seven, eight, nine, twelve, and three o'clock. The six o'clock bell awoke campus residents and marked a start time for area students walking to school. The breakfast bell rang at seven o'clock. The eight o'clock bell signaled the start of classes. When the ringing stopped, all
students had to be inside the building. The bell ringer would extend the rings if he saw kids hurrying down the road. Often, students who walked to school would literally be saved by the bell. The nine o'clock ringing meant that all classes had started and those
who were late would not be allowed to attend school that day. The lunch bell rang at twelve o'clock, and the three o'clock bell dismissed pupils from school for the day.
(sidebar)
The African American members of the Midway Congregational Church broke away to form their own church in 1872 and later build their own church in 1894. It was at their request that Dorchester Academy developed. The American Missionary Association supports both the school and church for a time. This connection is why the church bell was used by Dorchester Academy.
Erected
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2004 by City of Flemington.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Churches & Religion • Education. In addition, it is included in the Historic Bells series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1872.
Location. 31° 48.093′ N, 81° 27.866′ W. Marker is in Midway, Georgia, in Liberty County. Marker can be reached from East Oglethorpe Highway (U.S. 84) near Lewis Frasier Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8787 East Oglethorpe Highway, Midway GA 31320, United States of America. Touch for directions.
3. The Story of the "Bell" at Dorchester Academy (detail)
2008
4. The Story of the "Bell" at Dorchester Academy (detail)
Photographed By Mike Stroud, July 8, 2008
5. Dorchester Academy: The Bell
Photographed By Mike Stroud, July 2008
6. The Story of the "Bell" at Dorchester Academy marker, Midway Congregational Church , and bell
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 11, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,279 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 11, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Christopher Busta-Peck was the editor who published this page.