The weather vane sits atop the Washington School as it did during its years as a school for Round Pond residents from 1885-1954. (Haley Bascom photo)
The mounting of the Washington School’s original weather vane on Thursday, Aug. 18 brought the historic Round Pond schoolhouse one step closer to the completion of a major renovation.
The weather vane, mounted by Michael Alderson and Shawn Hickey, of Michael Alderson Restorations, was reconstructed by blacksmith Peter Brown, of Edgecomb.
Though the directional pieces and ball bearing were found in the schoolhouse, the original quill was missing. Using old photos provided by Masters Machine Co., the schoolhouse’s former owner, and his own research of weather vanes from that time period, Brown was able to reconstruct the quill and a new ball bearing out of steel, then paint it with gold leaf. Though straying from the traditional wood material, the new quill and ball bearing are believed to look like the original, but will last longer.
Around 20 Round Pond residents gathered at the schoolhouse to watch as Alderson and Hickey were hoisted up 68 feet by a crane operated by Leon McCorkle, of Padebco Custom Boats. Though it was not his first time being lifted on a crane, Hickey said he still gets nervous, though not always for himself.
“I was mostly nervous that I was going to get scared and drop the weather vane,” Hickey said when back on solid ground. But Hickey said he always feels secure with McCorkle’s smooth crane work.
A crane lifts Shawn Hickey and the newly restored weather vane to assist the waiting Michael Alderson at the top of the cupola of the Washington School in Round Pond on Thursday, Aug. 18. (Haley Bascom photo)
“It makes all the difference in the world to have confidence in the crane services. They hold your life in their hands,” said Hickey. Hickey said he and Alderson used a cellphone GPS compass to ensure the directional arms of the weather vane were accurate.
“Though Mike said if anyone isn’t happy (with the positioning of the directional arms), they are welcome to go up and fix it,” Hickey said with a laugh.
Cynthia Wright, vice president of the Round Pond Schoolhouse Association, said the weather was perfect on Thursday morning with a calm wind and cloud cover, which was everyone’s biggest concern.
“We were all holding our breath,” said Wright.
Wright said she is pleased with how far the schoolhouse renovations have come since the project started in 2007.
“It’s all been possible with absolutely generous donations of time and talent and money from many, many people,” said Wright. “Every little gift has helped get us where we are.”
In addition to gifts, members of the schoolhouse association have hosted numerous annual fundraisers, such as the weekly summer Beano nights, rummage sales, and art shows. Though some renovations, such as the weather vane mounting, require professional assistance, much of the work has been done by volunteers.
Though the project is one step closer to completion, there is still work to be done. Wright said the next project will be repainting the Washington School sign and painting the west side of the building. The schoolhouse also needs screens for the windows on the south side, which need to be custom-made.
Fore more information about the Washington School in Round Pond, go to roundpondschoolhouse.org. The association will hold its annual meeting at the Washington School, 1426 Route 32, at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 13.
