The Glockenspiel - New Ulm, MN - Carillon on Waymarking.com

Long Description:
The New Ulm Glockenspiel stands in Schonlau Park at the intersection of 4th North and Minnesota Streets. The 37-bell carillon plays each day at noon, 3 PM, and 5 PM. A nearby historical marker provides a wealth of information about the Glockenspiel:

"New Ulm’s Glockenspiel"

Schonlau Park, named in honor of Theodore H. and Clara K. Schonlau, is the setting for the City of New Ulm’s unique Glockenspiel. Local contributors were joined by donors from three foreign countries, 31 States, and 51 other Minnesota communities, in matching a magnanimous gift from Clara Schonlau to provide the funds necessary to construct the first free-standing carillon tower in North America. New Ulm’s 45 feet tall musical clock tower was dedicated on May 25, 1980, with over 1500 people in attendance.

The tower’s set of 37 fully chromatic three-octave bronze bells, which were cast in Holland by Royal Eijsbouts, can be played electronically, or by keyboard. Ulm, West Germany, which has maintained a long-time Sister City relationship with the City of New Ulm, generously paid for the second largest of the 37 bells with an $8,000 contribution to the project.

The Glockenspiel’s 12 animated figures, which are interchangeable with a Christmas Nativity scene, illustrate significant facets of the community’s rich heritage. Engineered and built by Schulmerich Carillons, Inc. of Sellersville, Pennsylvania and constructed at a cost of $275,000, the steel structure is finished with native Minnesota brick and stone, utilizing a design developed by InterDesign, Inc. of Minneapolis. Area firms involved in the project included American Artstone and the Heymann Construction Companies of New Ulm, and Ochs Brick and Tile from Springfield.

The project was coordinated by the Glockenspiel Trust Committee composed by Clara Schonlau, Mayor Carl L. Wyczeski, City Council President William J. Gafford, Richard B. Heymann, and William M. Schade, with Donald J. Gollnast serving as Treasurer.

Location: Intersection of 4th North and Minnesota Streets New Ulm, MN USA 56073 Who controls the carillon?: City of New Ulm Number of bells: 37 Schedule of regular public performances: Daily at 12 PM, 3 PM, 5 PM. Year of construction: 05/25/1980 Structure: Free standng 45-foot tower. Location web page: [Web Link]

Visit Instructions:
An original photograph of the carillon is required. One of you and your crew doing your very best imitation of Quasimodo and/or Esmeralda will be most appreciated.

Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log   1/15/2010 STLbells wrote comment for it