The Barbara Bell Trust
Barbara Bell became a founding member of the Cole Harbour Rural Heritage Society when the original group met in her house on the top of Long Hill, in 1973, and decided to form the Society. From that day on, until she passed away in 1999, Barbara was an active supporter, serving on the Board of Directors for many years, as treasurer for the first few years, and attending most of its events, fund-raisers and work parties. She contributed not only her time and ideas but was an enthusiastic promoter of the Society and its objectives. She also contributed to its support financially.
For many years Barbara was concerned about what would happen to her house and property in Cole Harbour after she was gone. She had lived in the house since the mid-forties and had no heirs. The site, which is directly across from the Meeting House, is very significant to the early history of Cole Harbour and the house itself is close to 200 years old. It commands a magnificent view of the Cole Harbour saltmarsh. After much consideration she asked the Cole Harbour Rural Heritage Society to accept the house and to agree to look after it. She left an endowment to pay for the costs of repairs and upkeep. This endowment became the basis for the Barbara Bell Trust which is administered by a volunteer board of which at least 50% are Society members.