The Medina Free Academy 1850 School Bell
By Craig Lacy
The Medina Free Academy was incorporated by an Amended Act of the New York State Legislature on April 10, 1850, for the purpose of offering a free secondary education to the children of Medina. Prior to this time, secondary education in Orleans County was available only to those who could afford a private tutor or the tuition charged at one of the academies then located in Yates, Millville, Gaines, Albion and Holley.
At the time of incorporation, there were only two other localities in the State of New York offering free secondary education. One was located in New York City and the other in the City of Lockport. Medina was the first village in Orleans County to adopt this form of education for its community and thus is the longest continuously operating school system in the county. The passing of the Union School Act of 1853 allowed for voters to create a Board of Education and an academic department supported by taxpayer dollars. Soon, this system of free secondary education adopted by Lockport and Medina would become the norm for school systems throughout New York State, thus dealing a deathblow to the private academies.
This ca. 1906 postcard image shows the enlarged Medina Academy with the separate 1896 high school building in the left background.
Credit: Private collection
Due to increasing enrollment, a separate high school building was constructed in 1896 on the corner of Ann and South Academy streets, again of Medina Sandstone. This allowed the academy to then be used exclusively for primary education. In 1921, it was determined that Medina needed a larger, more modern high school. As a result, the beautiful old academy building was razed with the new school being built on the same spot.
A devastating fire on February 11, 1967, destroyed the 1896 high school building, which was then being used for school administrative offices. During the demolition by Albion contractor Carl Petronio Sr., the original academy school bell was discovered to have been stored in the basement and was subsequently moved to storage at his facilities in Albion. It wasn’t until 2017, that the existence of the bell was rediscovered, and it was through the generosity of Carl Petroni Jr., that the artifact was acquired by the Medina Historical Society and returned to Medina.
The 1896 high school building following the February 1967 fire.
Credit: Medina Historical Society
The approximately 800 lb. bronze bell was cast by the Adam Goode Brass and Bell Foundry of Buffalo in 1850, which was then located on Ohio Street near Washington. I was then likely transported to Medina down the Erie Canal. Through the efforts of the Medina Historical Society, the bell has been restored and, in 2019—after 169 years—was loaned to the Medina Central School District. Today, it is proudly displayed in the high school lobby.
About the Author
Craig Lacy is a lifelong resident of Medina, an active member of the Medina Historical Society, currently serving as its treasurer, and is a past recipient of the Orleans Heritage Hero Award.
