Belmont Tower and Carillon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Belmont Bell Tower |
|
|---|---|
The bell tower located on the campus of Belmont University Tower 2014 Nashville, Tennessee
|
|
| Former names | Water Tower, Singing Tower, Alumnae Chimes, Belmont Tower |
| General information | |
| Type | Renovated Tower |
| Location | Nashville, Tennessee, USA |
| Coordinates | 36°08′00″N 86°47′42″W / 36.133389°N 86.795097°W |
| Construction started | 1850 |
| Completed | 1853 |
| Owner | Belmont University |
| Height | 105 ft |
| Technical details | |
| Structural system | Brick, Wood Frame |
| Floor count | 5 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Adolphus Heiman |
| References | |
|
Belmont
|
|
| NRHP reference No. | 71000816 |
| Added to NRHP | May 6, 1971 |
The Belmont Tower and Carillon is a famous building at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. It's a special part of the university's history and even appears in its logo. The tower is so important that it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Every hour, from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, the carillon bells in the tower play beautiful chimes.
Contents
What is the Belmont Tower?
The Belmont University Tower and Carillon stands about 528 feet south of the Belmont Mansion. It's located on the campus of Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee.
This tower was built around 1850. It was first used as a water tower for the Belmont Mansion and its large gardens. The land was once the summer home of Colonel Joseph and Adelicia Acklen. During the Battle of Nashville in 1864, Union soldiers used the tower as a signal station.
The Carillon Bells
In 1928, a set of twenty-three bronze bells was put into the tower. This was the first carillon in Tennessee! It was also one of the first twenty-five carillons in all of North America. These original bells were later replaced in 1951 with an electronic carillon.
In 1986, a second set of twenty-three bells was installed. More bells were added in 2002 and 2005. Now, the tower has a total of forty-three bells. The biggest bell weighs 1,188 pounds, which is like a small car! The smallest bell weighs only twenty-two pounds. All the bells together weigh about 7,477 pounds. These amazing bells were made by famous bell-makers, Petit and Fritsen, in the Netherlands.
The Belmont Tower is one of only five places in Tennessee with a carillon. Dr. Richard Shadinger, a music professor, plays the carillon today.
How Was the Tower Designed?
The design of the Belmont Tower is mostly credited to a famous architect named Adolphus Heiman. The tower's look was inspired by the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria. This lighthouse was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
The Belmont Tower is 105 feet tall. It is the largest water tower built for a private home that is still standing in the United States from before the Civil War. It used to have a moat and a bridge around its entrance.
Inside the Tower
The tower has five floors. On the first floor, there's a prayer chapel that was created in 1974. Visitors can go there day or night. The second floor holds the music library. The third floor has a practice carillon, where students can learn to play. The fourth floor contains the keyboard that controls the carillon bells. The actual bronze bells are hidden behind screens on the fifth floor.
Timeline of the Tower's History
- 1853: The water tower was finished. It was part of the large 650-acre estate of Colonel Joseph Acklen and his wife, Adelicia Acklen.
- 1856: The tower helped water the estate's gardens and was also used as an observatory.
- 1928: A twenty-three bell carillon, called Alumnae Chimes, was put into the tower. This was the first time the tower was used for bells.
- 1929: The Alumnae Chimes were officially dedicated with a special concert.
- 1952: The original bells were replaced with an electronic carillon.
- 1974: The first floor of the tower was turned into a Prayer Chapel.
- 1985-1986: Belmont College bought twenty-three new cast bells. These bells were made in the Netherlands and installed in 1986.
- 1992: A practice keyboard was added on the third floor.
- 2002: Nineteen more bells were added, bringing the total to forty-two.
- 2005: One more bell was added, completing the collection of forty-three bells.
- 2010: The University spent $400,000 to update and fix up the tower.
Exciting Moments at the Tower
- December 1864: During the Battle of Nashville, Union soldiers used the water tower as a signal station. They watched for Confederate troops from there.
- November 1928: The first public performance of the original bells took place.
- November 1934: When President Franklin D. Roosevelt and his wife visited, "Hail to the Chief" was played on the carillon for them.
- November 1974: The Prayer Chapel on the first floor was officially opened.
- September 1986: After the new bells were installed, the first public carillon concert was held.
- Fall 1992: Playing the carillon became a class at Belmont University!
- October 2008: Belmont University hosted a big event: the 2008 Town Hall Presidential Debate. Senator Barack Obama and Senator John McCain debated there. A huge banner was hung on the tower to announce the event. The tower was a great symbol because it had stood through thirty-one different presidents!
- Christmas Eve Carillon Concert: Every Christmas Eve, traditional music is played on the tower's forty-three bells. This is a long-standing tradition that started many years ago.
Images for kids
-
1
-
2
-
3
-
4
-
5
-
6
-
Belmont Water Tower around 1900 with a greenhouse nearby.
