Manchester University Removes Bells For Restoration
August 17, 2021 at 2:28 a.m.
Manchester University Removes Bells For Restoration
By Jackie Gorski-
Manchester University President David McFadden said the bells will be refurbished and retuned as “there’s a couple to a discerning ear clearly out of tune and then they’d be ready for reinstallment.”
Melanie B. Harmon, vice president for advancement at Manchester, said the company in charge of the removal and refurbishment is Verdin, Cincinnati, Ohio.
McFadden said the bells will be installed in a chime tower that will be built in the university’s mall for the 100th anniversary of the installment of the bells into the administration building.
In a April 23 Times-Union article, Harmon said in 1920, alumni decided to raise funds to purchase a 10-bell chime, estimated to cost $10,000. The bells arrived on campus Aug. 9, 1922.
The new tower will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the chimes. There is no date set yet for the dedication, Harmon previously stated.
McFadden said by putting the bells in the tower in the mall, people can hear and visit them. In the administration building, the bells could be heard but not seen.
McFadden said four new bells are being added so a greater range of notes could be played.
For the entire project, including the tower and removal and refurbishment of the bells, McFadden said the university has been fundraising, which started about 10 years ago and ended last week at $600,000. Donations were from alumni and friends of the university.
McFadden said the bells used to play at 7:45 a.m. and 6 p.m. The bells have been silent since the administration building was vacated a few years ago. McFadden said the people who have been at the university for a long time have missed them.
Manchester University President David McFadden said the bells will be refurbished and retuned as “there’s a couple to a discerning ear clearly out of tune and then they’d be ready for reinstallment.”
Melanie B. Harmon, vice president for advancement at Manchester, said the company in charge of the removal and refurbishment is Verdin, Cincinnati, Ohio.
McFadden said the bells will be installed in a chime tower that will be built in the university’s mall for the 100th anniversary of the installment of the bells into the administration building.
In a April 23 Times-Union article, Harmon said in 1920, alumni decided to raise funds to purchase a 10-bell chime, estimated to cost $10,000. The bells arrived on campus Aug. 9, 1922.
The new tower will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the chimes. There is no date set yet for the dedication, Harmon previously stated.
McFadden said by putting the bells in the tower in the mall, people can hear and visit them. In the administration building, the bells could be heard but not seen.
McFadden said four new bells are being added so a greater range of notes could be played.
For the entire project, including the tower and removal and refurbishment of the bells, McFadden said the university has been fundraising, which started about 10 years ago and ended last week at $600,000. Donations were from alumni and friends of the university.
McFadden said the bells used to play at 7:45 a.m. and 6 p.m. The bells have been silent since the administration building was vacated a few years ago. McFadden said the people who have been at the university for a long time have missed them.
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