The Richmond Mill Bell - Scituate, Rhode Island
Posted by: 
401Photos
N 41° 50.090 W 071° 35.213
19T E 285198 N 4634673
This structure is a replica of the upper portion of the original Richmond Mill Bell Tower with its original bell. The bell was donated to the town of North Sciuate, Rhode Island, by the Joslin family, who owned the mill.
Waymark Code: WM108GW
Location: Rhode Island, United States
Date Posted: 03/21/2019
Views: 2
This bell display is within a historical section of North Scituate, Rhode Island. It is set back 100 feet from West Greenville Road near Smithville Cemetery (also known as Rhode Island Historical Cemetery Scituate #24) on flat grounds and beneath a large shade tree. The bell is presented within a replica of the top part of its original bell tower at the Richmond Mill.
The recreated structure sits on a square foundation of concrete. It is mainly white and covered by a pyramid roof with weathered wood shingles. The roof is topped by a metal spire and weather vane. The bell, its frame and wheel are housed among four square columns and rest on a polished granite base.
The bell's inscription band reads:
F. FULLER 1877 PROVIDENCE
A cast bronze plaque is mounted on top of a concrete plinth and reads:
THE RICHMOND MILL BELL
THIS STRUCTURE IS A REPLICA OF THE UPPER PORTION OF THE ORIGINAL RICHMOND
MILL BELL TOWER. THE BELL - DONATED TO THE TOWN BY THE JOSLIN FAMILY -
HUNG IN THE ORIGINAL BELL TOWER IN THE VILLAGE OF RICHMOND, RHODE ISLAND.
BETWEEN 1917 AND 1921, THE VILLAGE AND ITS MILL, ALONG WITH THE VILLAGES OF
ROCKLAND, SOUTH SCITUATE, ASHLAND AND KENT, WERE SACRIFICED TO CREATE THE
SCITUATE RESERVIOR.
IN THE DAYS BEFORE ELECTRICITY AND ALARM CLOCKS, THE BELL WAS USED TO LET
THE WORKERS KNOW WHEN WORK BEGAN AND ENDED.
CREATION OF THE RESERVOIR EFFECTIVELY ENDED THE AVAILABILITY OF WATER
POWER IN SCITUATE, WHICH ESSENTIALLY BROUGHT TO AN END THE TOWN'S INDUS-
TRIAL AGE.
THE ORIGINAL RICHMOND MILL, OWNED BY THE JOSLIN FAMILY, WAS LOCATED ABOUT
ONE HALF MILE EAST OF THE PRESENT INTERSECTION OF TRUNK HILL AND FIELD HILL
ROADS.
FUNDS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE BELL TOWER REPLICA WERE PROVIDED BY
THE SCITUATE PRESERVATION SOCIETY, SUMMER, 1996
ARCHITECTURAL RECONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS WERE PROVIDED BY GEORGE H. MYRICK, AIA
CONSTRUCTION WAS PROVIDED BY NORTH SCITUATE RESTORATION, INC.
Visit Instructions:As a suggestion for your visit log, please make every effort to supply a brief-to-detailed note about your experience at the Waymark. If possible also include an image that was taken when you visited the Waymark. Images can be of yourself, a personal Waymarking signature item or just one of general interest that would be of value to others. Sharing your experience helps promote Waymarking and provides a dynamic history of your adventures.