Written by Hannarose McGuinness, Eugene Register-Guard
A chorus of mechanical beeps from heavy machinery and the tolling of bells rang out across E. 11th Ave. and Alder Street Friday morning as Bushnell University marked a major milestone with the installation of four bells in the newly constructed bell tower at Goodrich Hall.
The building has lived many lives since it was built in 1908. Over the years, it served as a library, classrooms and administrative offices. As time marched on, the space saw less use due to the historic building’s lack of accessibility.
Bushnell’s Venture Forward campaign raised $18 million to renovate a number of campus spaces, including Goodrich Hall. Since construction began, the building’s interior has been completely renovated and a new, four-story bell tower has been built near the southwest corner. The bell tower houses restrooms, elevator access and four bells that will ring for special events like commencement and will signal worship times.
The bells were donated by legacy families of Bushnell University and are named in honor of the donors: Edwin “Ted” Baker, Linda McKay Korth, Ada O.L. Lee and the Stewart Family.
Bridget Baker Kincaid is Ted Baker’s daughter. She said she and her husband donated some funds for the project, crediting University President Joseph Womack for coming up with the idea. She partnered with other legacy families of the university to see if they wanted to join the effort.
“The Goodrich building is a historic building and we couldn’t find it in our hearts to tear it down but it didn’t have handicapped access, it didn’t have really nice restrooms and so the second and third floors were very difficult for access for students or faculty who needed to get up there,” Baker Kincaid said.
Linda McKay Korth was also at the installation and said having her family’s name etched into one of the bells is an honor. A former board member of the university, Korth said the school is a major asset for the city of Eugene.
“I cry every time I think about it. I just think it’s wonderful and it’s a huge, huge honor for the family to be recognized in this way in the oldest building at Bushnell,” Korth said. “Every building they purchase or re-do is done in such a caring way.”
The bells were crafted by Benjamin Sunderlin of the B.A. Sunderlin Bellfoundry, which uses equipment and techniques dating back to 1856. Sunderlin, who developed his passion independently and studied the art of bell-making in Europe, said his foundry is the only one in the United States still using traditional techniques.
“A lot of our competitors are 500 years old,” Sunderlin said. “No one has opened up a bell foundry in the United States for probably 160 years. I’m the oddball.”
Sunderlin said that even though the bells aren’t ringing regularly yet, the installation process is the payoff for the work that goes into making them.
“They’re creating a little community and a sense of atmosphere for the university,” he said. “The technology of our cell phones has largely replaced the utility of bells but people still make them and like them because of that human element.”
These $5 million renovations and upgrades to Goodrich Hall help preserve the more than 117-year-old historic building while improving accessibility. The first two stories will house classroom spaces while the third floor will include the president’s office and a welcome center.
Joseph Womack, president of Bushnell University, called the process of modernizing a historic building both unique and challenging. Despite the obstacles, he said the work to provide updated classrooms and facilities is something folks at Bushnell are “geeking out about.”
“For an institution that is as old as ours, that building means an awful lot to us,” Womack said. “We very much wanted to see the Goodrich building survive and try to honor its past with a future but give it those things it needed. It just was not usable.”
The current development timeline aims to have Goodrich Hall open for faculty to move into offices in March. If schedules move according to plan, classrooms should be in use by the fall term.
“We’re very happy to be able to bring life back into that space,” Womack said.
Hannarose McGuinness is The Register-Guard’s growth and development reporter. You can reach her athmcguinnes@registerguard.com.