User:KaitlinAnne/sandbox

Design
The Tower and Carillon was designed by architect Adolphus Heiman, who 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

 * 1853 - The construction of the water tower was completed on the 650-acre estate of Colonel Joseph Acklen and his wife, Adelicia Acklen.
 * 1856 - The tower served as the estate irrigation system and an observatory.
 * 1928 - Twenty-three bells were added to the ‘Alumnae Chimes’, on the former Ward-Belmont school campus. This year was the first year the tower served as a carillon.
 * April 12, 1929 - The Alumnae Chimes were formally dedicated with a recital by Percival Price, carillonneur of Canada.
 * 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.
 * 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 from Aarle-Rixtel, Netherlands and installed by I.T. Verdin.
 * 1986 - Twenty-three new bells were installed replacing the original bells at Ward-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 - Nineteen bells were added to the carillon, bringing the total to 42 bells.
 * November 2005 - The addition of a D-sharp bell completed the collection of 43 bells.
 * August 2010 - The University invested $400,000 to renovate the tower.