The Hernando Historical Museum Association unveiled a cupola and the Beasley Bell at Brooksville’s historic one-room schoolhouse on November 6. The additions were added to the replica schoolhouse, which Gretchen Countryman helped bring to life. Countryman’s great nieces sang the Fifty Nifty United States and other songs about the nation’s history after short speeches by Countryman and the association’s president, Mary Sheldon.
The official dedication of the additions followed on Friday. Susan Quinn and her family dedicated the bell and cupola in memory of Kevin Quinn, Countryman’s brother-in-law. The Sun reported that the dedication saw the new bell and cupola put in place that day.
Countryman said the schoolhouse was a lifelong dream. She wanted to show the history of schools in Hernando County and share the values of God, country, morals and manners. “Now, this bell rings out not only to mark time but more importantly to call our community together to celebrate our milestones and to inspire lifelong learning,” Countryman said. “It serves to honor the past as well as to beckon children to school.”
The school board originally donated the bell. Sheldon and the association believe it came from the Hernando High brick building that once stood on Howell Avenue in Brooksville. Sheldon said they are “pretty sure” of the origin, though it is not 100 percent certain.
The project moved quickly, taking only a few months from start to finish. Paul Beasley, who built the original schoolhouse replica, returned 12 years later to engineer the cupola. A lift set the cupola and bell in place. Sheldon said the work was not easy. The cupola went up first, then the bell, and crews then worked out how to run the bell rope down through the ceiling.
Originally reported by Hernando Sun
