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=Belmont University Tower and Carillon= The Belmont University Tower and Carillon is an iconic image on the campus. The tower is listed in the National Registry of Historic Places and also serves as the main logo for Belmont University. The modern Belmont University Tower and Carillon chimes each hour on Belmont University’s campus from 9:00am-8:00pm.

Description
The Belmont University Tower and Carillon is located approximately 528 feet south of the Belmont Mansion (Tennessee) on Belmont University's campus in Nashville, Tennessee.

Located on the former summer estate of Colonel Joseph and Adelicia Acklen, the Bell Tower was constructed around 1853 to be used as a water tower for the [Belmont Mansion], and later, it was used as a signal tower by Union soldiers during the Battle of Nashville in 1864. Union General T.J. Wood used the tower and adjacent mansion as his headquarters during the battle.

When a carillon of 23 bronze bells was installed in 1928, it became the first carillon in Tennessee and one of the first 25 carillons in North America. The original carillon was sold in 1951, and in 1986, a second carillon of 23 bells was installed. A gift of 19 more bells was given to the University by The Massey Foundation and other friends of the carillon and installed in November 2002 by Meeks, Watson and Company. The addition of a low D-sharp bell completed the Carillon in 2005.

The largest bell weighs 1,188 pounds, and the smallest bell weighs 22 pounds. The total weight of the 42 bells is 7,477 pounds. The bells were cast by royal bellfounders Petit and Fritsen in Aarle-Pixtel, Netherlands and later installed by the I.T. Verdin Company of Cincinnati, Ohio.

The tower currently houses a total of 42 bells and is one of only five carillons in the state of Tennessee. The present carillon is played by Dr. Richard Shadinger, Professor of Music in Belmont University's School of Music. For local musicians and students, carillon lessons are offered through the school, and tours can be set up with the Belmont Carillonneur by contacting the Belmont School of Music office.

Design
The Tower and Carillon may have been designed by famed architects Adolphus Heiman and William Strickland, both of whom designed the Belmont Mansion from 1849-1853. The design is based on the Lighthouse at Alexandria, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, and it is the largest surviving antebellum water tower constructed for private use in the United States. The brick water tower stands 105 feet tall and was originally surrounded by a moat and bridge at the entrance.

Inside the five-story tower lies a cast-iron staircase leading to the top of the carillon. The staircase is an exact replica of the staircase in the Green-Meldrim House in Savannah, Georgia. The tower was renovated into a prayer chapel in 1974. which is currently open to visitors day and night.

While the bronze bells are located behind screens in the highest level of the tower, the bells are played in a room on the fourth level.

History

 * In the year 1853, the construction of the water tower was completed on the 650-acre estate of Colonel Joseph Acklen and his wife Adelicia.
 * In 1856, The tower served as the estate irrigation system and an observatory.
 * The year 1928 marked the addition of a total of twenty-three bells to the ‘Alumnae Chimes’, on the former Ward-Belmont school campus. This year was the first year serving in its current role.
 * In 1951, the twenty-three bells installed in 1928 were removed, due to a transfer of ownership.
 * May 1952 – Belmont College exchanged the original cast bells for an electronic instrument from Schulmerich Electronics, Inc. The bells were transported to Sellersville, PA. and installed on Carillon Hill.
 * Reference letter from Dr Gabhart referring to the non-functioning electronic system.
 * In 1974, the Prayer Chapel was integrated under a new design plan.
 * December 20, 1985 - Contract signed with the I.T. Verdin Company for 23 new cast bells, a 43 noted playing keyboard, and an automatic play for 14 bells: $115,464 New bells were cast by Petit and Fritsen, Aarle-Rixtel, Netherlands and installed by I.T. Verdin.
 * In 1986, the new bells were installed replacing the new bells at the previously noted Belmont College. Three of the bells have inscriptions honoring Chancellor and Mrs. Herbert C. Gabhart.
 * April 12, 1992 – A practice keyboard was installed on the third floor of the tower.
 * November 2002 marked the addition of nineteen new bells to the tower.
 * In November 2005, the addition of a D-sharp bell completed the collection of 43 bells.
 * In August of 2010, the University invested $400,000 to renovate the historic tower.

As Federal troops occupied the Belmont Mansion during the Battle of Nashville, The carillon (which was a water tower at the time) served as a Federal signal station for the union army. On December 15th-16th, 1864, Federal forces served under Major General George H. Thomas unleashed his army and disrupted Confederate Gen. Hood's plan to reclaim territory lost to Union forces and scare northern officials by moving towards the Ohio River in Nashville.