Warren B. Ryder, Chief of Police
520 Massachusetts Ave.
Boxborough, MA 01719
http://www.boxborough-ma.gov/police-department
For Immediate Release
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Boxborough Police Pitch in to Replace Stolen Historic Schoolhouse Bell
BOXBOROUGH — A retiring schoolmaster had the chance to ring the bell one last time.
Police Chief Warren B. Ryder is proud to announce that members of the Boxborough Police Department have come together to pitch in and replace the school bell that hangs from the front of the historic Schoolhouse #2, allowing Boxborough Superintendant of Schools Dr. Curtis Bates to ring the school bell one last time before his retirement on July 1.
The bell, along with dozens of other items, was stolen in April, when vandals broke into the historic building, which dates back to 1783.
Sometime between April 18-23, thieves broke into the schoolhouse, vandalized and graffitied the inside, and stole the historic items inside including several American flags, quill pens, antique jars, an antique lamp, books, games and other school items. They also stole the antique bell from the doorway of the schoolhouse.
The crook(s) left behind graffiti that leads police to believe that juveniles may have been behind the break-in.
The crime remains unsolved, but police wanted to give Dr. Bates a proper sendoff last week. So, officers teamed up to buy a replacement bell, which Dr. Bates rang on his last day on the job, July 1.
“The break-in at Schoolhouse #2 is as much an attempt to rob our community of its history and traditions as it is of its items and artifacts,” Chief Ryder said. “With a shiny, new brass bell hanging from the doorway, we hope we can at least replace a bit of the former, while we work to solve the latter. We won’t rest until whoever did this is brought to justice.”
The original brass bell is inscribed with “George Robinson,” as well as date and school was among several historic items stolen from the schoolhouse. If anyone has information about this incident or the whereabouts of the missing items please contact Boxborough Police at 978-264-1750 or send an email at: PoliceTips@boxborough-ma.gov. You can remain anonymous.
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