Ring the Bell at Lebanon Academy

The Academy was founded in 1849 by Rev. Oren Burbank Cheney, D.D. the first principal, who later founded Bates College and the the Rev. David B. Cowell who gave the land and the first money.   It remained a substantial school of higher learning until its closing in 1942.  It now houses the Historical Society.  A few years ago the dwindling Academy Alumni Association decided they needed to find someone or group to shoulder the responsibility for the care and maintenance of the property and building.  The Alumni Association turned the property over to the Union Freewill Baptist Church.  However, the church has struggled to maintain both properties, so it decided to establish a Board of Directors that would take responsbility to set up its own account and manage the property separately.  After several meetings the board set some project priorities and raise funds to paint the exterior back wall of the building and repair and paint the belfry.  Estimates have been received and now funds need to be raised.