Bells of Falmouth: Stories from a historic Massachusetts town uncovered by curiosity about its bells

"...an adventure story, a mystery, and a history lesson rolled into one entertaining narrative..." - Meg Costello, Research Manager, Falmouth Museums on the Green History is detective work. One bit of information leads to another until a collection of facts recreates life as it was - often centuries ago. Author Ken Peal's historical detective work began quite by accident - with a simple project to save a 140-year-old steeple bell from a church that was closed. Peal's interest grew and led him to other bells in the Falmouth area, some unseen for years. The information he accumulated led to articles appearing in the local newspaper, The Falmouth Enterprise.Some of Peal's stories tell of buildings of historical importance. Like Lawrence Academy, a classic Greek revival architectural treasure built in 1834 which now faces a struggle to keep from falling into disrepair.Bell discoveries often led to more questions than answers, like the church that claimed its belfry contained an 1832 bell and provided a tale about the bell's source. Both the bell and the story proved to be myths.Tracing history led Peal to some surprising people stories. In 1900 Martha Butler, lifelong Falmouth resident, found among her family papers the original invoice for the town's only Paul Revere bell - signed, "Paul Revere, 1796"- now a treasured artifact.Bells of Falmouth, with its wealth of historical information, will appeal to both bell enthusiasts and lovers of local history. "This book, backed by extensive research, puts important history in the hands of present and future generations... a splendid addition." Neil Goeppinger, bell collector, author, past-president, American Bell Association