10/07/2025
The harvest moon shining on The Bell Mansion. This photo hit my heart last night and symbolized how perfectly that light reflects the journey we’ve been on.
Built in 1822, this mansion has looked out over Bellwood through almost two centuries of change. It was once home to the founding Bell family — Edward Bell, his sons, and the many endeavors they championed: gristmills, forges, ironworks, and a vision for a community rooted in industry and innovation. Over time, its walls have witnessed triumphs and trials, seasons of prosperity and seasons of challenge.
But tonight — under this brilliant harvest moon — I see a deeper meaning: light shining through the darkness, not just upon it. That’s what we are doing here, together, as we reclaim this space not just as a relic of the past, but as a living, breathing hub for the community we have been building for the last 2 years.
Each step has taken courage. There’s been uncertainty and sweat and sometimes heartbreak. But in this house, now home to Cosmic Charlie’s Coffee House, Sacred Fire Wellness & its many independent contractors, Healing by Design, Aether & Stone, and Statement Designs, we are weaving new stories. We are building places for people to gather — to rest, to create, to heal, to connect. We are honoring the spirit of entrepreneurship and leadership that built Bellwood then by nurturing wellness, creativity, and belonging now.
I believe in a future where all people, despite their differences, can find a bridge here — in kindness and in love, with their minds, bodies, spirits, and hearts nourished. I believe this mansion can be a lantern in the night, drawing us together, reminding us that light persists.
So tonight, I share this photo of the harvest moon over our beloved Bell Mansion — a symbol, I hope, of what’s possible when a community dreams together. May its glow remind us that even when the path is long, even when storms come, the light still reaches. We press on. 🌟
~Kelly
Thank you to Collette, one of our beloved yoga instructors in the mansion and dear friend for grabbing this photo.