He was taken to Roane General Hospital in Spencer, where he was treated and released.

Family members say he suffered a severe blow and laceration to the forehead, requiring several sutures.

"He took a pretty good fall, and is banged up," said wife Juanita Bell, but he did not receive fractures.

Bell had been working with a crew to roof the historical Ahab Stemple Cabin, recently located to the park's Heritage Village.

(See story 12/01/07)

Volunteers returned to the park today to complete the roofing project. They reported Bell set up a ladder against a nearby structure, at which time he fell.

Bell, almost 80, is one of the county's most active volunteers, and has been instrumental in moving the Heritage Village project ahead.