In August 1997, Hardwick Post & Beam volunteered to help in the restoration of Hardwick's town hall. Ridge Shinn and his crew took on the job to rebuild the cribbing that supports the bell in the bell tower. He and his company donated not only the labor but also the lumber for the project.
The bell was donated to the town in 1847, and the timbers supporting the bell date to that time. When Ridge and his crew disassembled the cribbing, they were amazed to find a double-wedged dovetail.
Please click on the small photos at right to see a larger version.

Key:

1. Rotten timber pulled from the bell tower.

2. The new cribbing, made of white oak.

3. The bell and its new base loaded on the truck ready for installation.

4. The bell heading into town, with Willie riding alongside to assure its safe ride.

5. Close up of the bell.

6. Arriving at Hardwick's town hall for installation

7. Ridge Shinn (left) and friends, delighted to have the new bell established on a firm base again.