Old South Meeting House Bell Tolls Again!
| Venue: | Old South Meeting House |
| Hours: | 12:00 noon |
| In/Outdoor: | Indoor, Outdoor |
| Cost: | Free |
| Category: | Special Events |
On Thursday January 12 at 12:00 noon the tower clock of Boston's Old South Meeting House will ring out the hour for the first time in 136 years, striking a rare historic bell created by Patriot Paul Revere. The 1766 clock at Old South Meeting House is the oldest American-made tower clock still in operation in its original location but it has had no bell to strike since 1876.
The Paul Revere bell was installed in the belfry of Old South Meeting House at a grand public ceremony in October of 2011. One of only 46 surviving bells made by Patriot Paul Revere during his lifetime, the 1801 bronze bell from a closed church in Westborough, Massachusetts, has a new home at Boston's Old South Meeting House, the famed National Historic Landmark where the Boston Tea Party began.
Since the bell was installed, a team of highly skilled specialists has been working to connect it to the 18th century tower clock.
In the steeple of Old South Meeting House, the bell will be struck daily with a heavy, lignum vitae wood hammer supported by an oak frame and stainless steel cables and rods designed by horologist David Hochstrasser and craftsman John Sullivan. The Old South Meeting House is also able to ring the bell for special occasions by swinging it on a meticulously crafted, new wheel of quarter-sawn white oak built by Old South Association board member Jeff Makholm.
The 1801 Paul Revere bell was on display for a limited time before its installation.
The connection of the historic tower clock to the Paul Revere bell is the culmination of an award-winning three year project to restore the 18th century tower clock and install the Paul Revere bell, which was made possible through the generous support of the Storrow Family. Boston Mayor Thomas Menino said that this 'extraordinary' project 'restores an important part of our heritage and [will] benefit generations of Boston visitors and residents for generations to come. Nearly a hundred thousand people pass by this corner of Boston each day and this bell will reach every one of those people.'
On January 12, 2012 at 12:00 noon the tower clock will strike the Paul Revere bell for the first time. The bell is best heard outside of Old South Meeting House, particularly on the South side facing Milk Street.
The clock will strike 12 times in succession for the noon hour and then will continue to chime hourly.
In celebration of this first clock strike, Old South Meeting House, a museum and National Historic Landmark where the Boston Tea Party began, will be FREE and Open to the Public on Thursday, January 12, 2012. Hot chocolate by American Heritage Chocolate will be served. inside.
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| LOCATION | ↑ top |
310 Washington Street, Boston, MA, 02108 map
Phone: (617) 482-6439
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