User:Stewartti/sandbox

=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. Stewartti (talk) 17:48, 12 April 2014 (UTC)

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 (Tennessee)], 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], Ltd. in [Aarle-Pixtel], [The 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. (More)

Design
The Tower may have been designed by famed architects Adolphus Heiman and William Stricklandfrom 1849-1853. The tower 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 an original cast-iron staircase leading to the second floor of the tower. The staircase is an exact replica of the staircase in the Green-Meldrim House in Savannah, Georgia. The first floor of the tower was renovated into a prayer chapel in 1974. which is currently open to visitors day and night. The second floor is the music library. The third floor is used as a carillon practice room. The fourth floor is where the keyboard controls the carillon. The bronze bells are located behind screens in the highest level of the tower. Stewartti (talk) 17:53, 12 April 2014 (UTC) Stewartti (talk) 18:18, 12 April 2014 (UTC)

History

 * In the year 1853, the ‘Singing Tower’ was constructed. It is currently recognized as the Belmont University Tower and Carillon.
 * In 1856, The ‘Singing Tower’ served as the estate irrigation system and an observatory.
 * In 1864, Belmont became the headquarters of the 4th Corps of the U.S. Army of the Cumberland.
 * At 2:30pm on December 1, 1964, the Confederate Army was seen approaching within about a mile and a half of the line running south of the tower.
 * 1864: The Tower was used as a signal tower for Union soldiers during the Battle of Nashville.
 * The year 1928 marked the addition of a total of twenty-three bells to the ‘Singing Tower’, 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.
 * In 1974, the Prayer Chapel was integrated under a new design plan.
 * The second carillon was added in 1986 at the previously noted, Belmont College.
 * The first public performance was held on September 5, 1986 under the direction of Mr. Richard Watson.
 * November 2002 marked the addition of nineteen new bells to the tower.
 * An additional D-sharp bell completed the collection of 43 bells, in 2005.
 * In August of 2010, the University invested $400,000 to restore the historic tower.
 * The modern Belmont University Tower and Carillon chimes each hour on Belmont University’s campus from 9:00am-8:00pm.

Notable Events
December 15th and 16th, 1864: Belmont’s carillon served as a signal tower for the Union army. Federal troops serving under General Thomas Wood occupied the campus during the Battle of Nashville.

October 7th, 2008: Belmont hosted the 2008 Town Hall Presidential Debate between Senator Barack Obama and Senator John McCain. On Flag Day, the University draped a 45 feet tall x 16 feet wide banner to publicize the upcoming event. The Tower would prove to be a symbolic backdrop for the Debate since it had stood through 31 presidencies.

Christmas Eve Carillon Concert: This tradition features traditional music played on the tower’s 42 bell carillon every Christmas Eve. The traditional originated during the [Ward-Belmont] days.