May 2021 – Mahanay Bell Tower

Mahanay Tower Is Open

Fusebox Marketing on May 24, 2021

The Mahanay Bell Tower is open to visitors and boy, have they been coming! Masks are optional at the tower and for the comfort level of our visitors, we may limit the number of people in the lobby area and observation deck. But for the most part, our very friendly and knowledgable staff is ready to welcome you and your family & friends!

The Mahanay Bell Tower is open daily beginning Memorial Day weekend from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Admission is $3 for adults and FREE for youth age 18 and under courtesy of our Rotary Club of Jefferson. They are sponsoring the youth admissions as they celebrate their upcoming 100th anniversary as a club.

There is so much to see on your trip to the Mahanay Bell Tower. You will hear the beautiful 47 bells play. The view is spectacular. With five rooftop art installations that you can only see from the enclosed observation deck, it is a unique experience for sure. The countryside is gorgeous and the view of our beautiful downtown Jefferson is spectacular.

The four Ring Out for Art sculptures are in place on the courthouse plaza and there are two special alleys for you to see – Sally’s Alley on the south side of the Square and Arch Alley on the north side. Our Greene County Courthouse is outstanding to see if you can visit during the week when it is open. The Thomas Jefferson Gardens are located on the southeast corner of the Square and are simply stunning to walk through and enjoy. They have chimes to play and a special children’s garden area too. The Welcome Center is located at these Gardens with brochures on many other attractions to visit and places to go.

Make plans to visit Jefferson for these attractions as well as great shopping and places to eat!

Jefferson Rotary Club sponsors youth admissions to Mahanay Bell Tower

Fusebox Marketing on May 12, 2021

Kicking off celebration of local Rotary’s centennial

Hundreds of young people, like these children from the Greene County Early Learning Center, will have the opportunity to experience the sights and sounds from the Mahanay Memorial Carillon Tower for free this year, thanks to a sponsorship by the Rotary Club of Jefferson.

“Our club is happy to sponsor admissions for youth aged 18 and under as we kick off our celebration of 100 years of serving the community,” said Tori Riley, who will become president of the club for its centennial year 2021-2022.

The club’s sponsorship supports the Bell Tower Community Foundation’s vision that all children be able to hear the story of the Mahanays’ philanthropy and experience seeing the countryside and rooftop art from the Paul Nally Observation Deck, all opportunities that have made the tower Iowa Tourism’s rural 2021 Outstanding Attraction.

Children from the Early Learning Center are back row, from left: Adam, Logan, Clarissa and Ava. Front row, from left: Ariyah, Axton, and Aiden. Jefferson Rotarians in the back, from left: Jacque Andrew, board member, Steve Schwaller, secretary, Tori Riley, president-elect, and Jon Law, president.

Ultimate Road Trip – Visit939Iowa at Tower

Fusebox Marketing on May 11, 2021

KCCI This Is Iowa video

A lot of Iowans are planning their summer vacations right now, but no one has plans like Austin Schneider and Seth Varner. The pair of college students are coming to your town this summer in their quest to visit every single incorporated town in Iowa.
Eric Hanson spoke with Schneider and Varner about their plans for the ultimate Iowa road trip in the latest edition of “This is Iowa.”

Learn more about the road trip on the Visit 939 Iowa Facebook page.

Eric Hanson’s This Is Iowa segment on KCCI shares rooftop art story

Fusebox Marketing on May 3, 2021

Click this link to the This Is Iowa segment that Eric Hanson shared on the newest rooftop art in downtown Jefferson. Artist ARCY was commissioned by Jamie Daubendiek and Jefferson Telecom for this mural that can only be seen from the Paul Nally Observation Deck of the Mahanay Bell Tower.

KCCI – This Is Iowa on rooftop art

Ambassadors Visit Bell Tower

Fusebox Marketing on May 3, 2021

The Jefferson Matters: Main Street & Chamber Community Ambassadors visited the Bell Tower for quite a few reasons on May 3. The Tower officially opened for the 2021 season on May 1 and will be open weekends in May and then daily from Memorial Day through the end of September. The Mahanay Bell Tower was named Iowa’s Outstanding Attraction in the rural category by Iowa Tourism last week after their annual conference. Bell Tower Staff members were introduced with Tower Coordinator Pat Richards giving some updated news. Bell Tower Foundation President Carole Custer welcomed everyone and introduced Bell Tower Foundation members. Many of those present took the elevator to the Paul Nally Observation Deck to see the newest rooftop art installation. The bells rang and the view was awesome even though the wind continued to blow!

Rooftop Art can only be seen from Paul Nally Observation Deck

Fusebox Marketing on May 1, 2021

Jefferson Telecom has made a huge contribution to art in the community by commissioning artist ARCY to paint a rooftop art installation on the roof of the 101 N Chestnut which houses Greater Life Chiropractic. ARCY has been painting for days as weather permits to complete this very challenging installation of an elderly farmer from the Midwest. Pictures have been taken by a drone, but the only way to really see this masterpiece is to ride the elevator in the Mahanay Bell Tower to the Paul Nally Observation Deck. The enclosed observation deck is full of windows to view the countryside and the downtown. This is the 5th installation of rooftop art in the downtown. It is amazing! Thank you to Jefferson Telecom for this wonderful gift to the community.