Name/Title
Van Vlack School Brass BellEntry/Object ID
2023.738.1Description
Brass school bell with wooden handle and brass cap on handle and a silver metal ring separates the wooden handle and the brass bellContext
The brass school bell with wooden handle is thought to be from Van Vlack School. The donor's Great Aunt Alice Stephenson was the last teacher at the school at the time of the school closing.
Van Vlack School was built in 1883 , at a cost of $228.22 with a 10' addition added 4 years later at a cost of $105.00. The Van Vlack School was one large room, about 22' x 30' and was heated by a wood stove. The school had about 50 students. The first teacher was John Gilchrist who earned $275 per year.
The school continued to thrive over the years until in 1922, it was determined that most of the students came from the eastern part of the school section and the controversial decision was made, by a very close vote, to move the school 2 miles east to S 1/2 Lot 21, Flos Township at the corner of Highway 92 and County Road 20. The school was loaded onto skids and hitched to a team of horses. A group of men opposed to moving the school, built a bonfire in the middle of the road in attempt to stop the move but eventually the move continued to the new location. The school was then formally known as Van Vlack Public School No. 12, Township of Flos. The school operated until June 29, 1965 when it was closed.
(Note that information gathered indicates both 1883 and 1886 as the dates the school was built.)Acquisition
Accession
2023.738Source or Donor
Bruce RobertsAcquisition Method
GiftDimensions
Dimension Description
Diameter of the base of the bell is 4-1/2"Height
7-1/2 in
