Old Chapel - UMass - Amherst, Massachusetts - Carillon on Waymarking.com

At the heart of the University of Massachusetts campus in Amherst since 1886, stands Old Chapel. Its carillon has 42 bells accompanied by “Old Aggie”, the tower clock bell. The tower, clock, and bells were thoroughly renovated in 1998-1999.

"The Chapel is constructed of gray Pelham granite, with red-brown Longmeadow sandstone trim and a gray slate roof...

The bell tower consists of four stories or stages: (1) an entry porch, described below, (2) a square tower with four bands of brownstone trim, a narrow 1/12 window with a semicircular transom and a panel with brownstone dentils, (3) an open-air, round-arch belfry framed by Romanesque columns and (4) a four-sided steeple that is set diagonally onto the top stage of the square tower. The base of the steeple contains a gable peak on each face of the square tower, and a clock face with Roman numerals is set into each of the four gable peaks. The tower and steeple are rich in brownstone trim, including window arches, lintels and sills, as well as projecting downspouts at the level of the clocks. The steeple has a metal weathervane at its top, with what appears to be glass ornamentation or lightning-control devices...

The original 10 troy Meneely bells were recast by Royal Ejjsbouts bell foundry in the Netherlands and 32 new bells (43 total) were added, housed in a new bell frame engineered into the structure of the new tower. The 3½-octave carillon includes a new keyboard installed at the time of restoration.

The bell “Old Aggie,” that chimed for the first time in 1892, was restocked as a swinging bell and hung in the new bell frame making it the 43rd bell in the tower. “Old Aggie” is not a part of the carillon but is the tower clock bell."

(Source: UMass Amherst Libraries - Special Collections and University Archives)

Location: Old Chapel 144 Hicks Way Amherst, MA USA Who controls the carillon?: The University of Massachusetts - Amherst Number of bells: 42 Year of construction: 06/01/1886 Structure: Old Chapel - University of Massachusetts - Amherst, Massachusetts Location web page: [Web Link] Schedule of regular public performances: Not listed

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:

There are no logs for this waymark yet.