2022 – Mahanay Bell Tower

Tower Open by Appt.

Fusebox Marketing on December 1, 2022

As families and friends gather for the holidays, the Mahanay Bell Tower may be one of those memorable places to experience. The Tower is closed for the season but tours can be arranged by appointment by calling The Welcome Center at 515-386-2155. The Bell Tower staff will be happy to meet you at the Tower and give a special tour.

The Christmas bells have been hung in the Paul Nally Observation Deck and are a beacon to those coming into the community. The bells continue to play the Westminster Chimes at each quarter hour and two songs after each hour from 8 am – 8 pm.

Greene County Foundation Grant

Fusebox Marketing on December 1, 2022

Thanks to a Greene County Community Foundation Grant, the Bell Tower Foundation was able to continue to market the Mahanay Bell Tower this past year with billboards on Hwy. 30, Hwy. 144 & Hwy. 4. Several of the billboards announced the Tower as Rural Iowa’s #1 Attraction for 2021.

These well-traveled roads have brought many visitors to Jefferson and the Mahanay Bell Tower again during 2022. The Bell Tower Foundation submitted a grant for this marketing because hotel/motel tax from the previous year of COVID was not available.

The Board of Directors of the Bell Tower Foundation and the many visitors who enjoyed the Tower are grateful for this award.

Tower Tunes Live concert slated for Veteran’s Day

Fusebox Marketing on November 11, 2022

On Veteran’s Day, November 11, a special Tower Tunes Live concert will be performed by Mahanay Maestro Rick Morain.

From 12:15 – 12:30 pm, the public is invited to listen to the concert played on the four-octave carillon. Maestro Morain’s playlist will honor military veterans.

The Veteran’s Day concert is part of the regular Tower Tunes Live concert series set up by the county board of supervisors and coordinated through the Bell Tower Community Foundation.

October Hours

Fusebox Marketing on October 7, 2022

The Mahanay Bell Tower is open at regular hours on Saturdays and Sundays during the month of October. The hours are 10 am – 4 pm with our staff providing a wonderful tour. The elevator will take visitors to the observation deck. The autumn colors are beautiful and you are able to see for miles! The rooftop art is so unique and guests love experiencing the installations. The 47 bells play the Westminster Chimes at each quarter hour and also play several songs after each hour from 8 am – 8 pm.

Bells Are Ringing!

Fusebox Marketing on September 29, 2022

The Mahanay Memorial Carillon is ringing again! The problem with the controller has been fixed by the Verdin Company of Ohio and the bells can now chime. Each hour and quarter hour, the bells play the Westminster Chimes. Two songs are played several minutes after each hour from 8 am – 8 pm. Visitors love hearing the bells ring and the community is glad to hear them again too!

Bells temporarily quiet

Fusebox Marketing on August 29, 2022

The computer that plays the carillon at the regular times at each hour and quarter hour had some difficulties so it was sent to the Verdin Company for repair. Because of that, the bells can not be played. We apologize to the community and visitors and hope that the repair can be handled quickly.

Visit the Mahanay Bell Tower!

Fusebox Marketing on June 27, 2022

The Mahanay Bell Tower is now open daily from 10 am – 4 pm. Our friendly staff will share the story of Floyd and Dora Mahanay in our lovely lobby area. An elevator will take you to the Paul Nally Observation deck which is all enclosed with glass and air-conditioned, so easy for visitors to see the magnificent view. The Iowa countryside, Jefferson downtown, and installations of rooftop art are enjoyed by all ages. The 47 bell carillon plays throughout the day. The Westminster chimes are played each quarter hour and two songs are played after each hour from 8 am – 8 pm. Jefferson’s downtown is full of art and very pedestrian-friendly, so plan to spend the day!

Adults are just $3 and all youth age 18 and younger are free courtesy of our sponsor for 2022, the Dean & Lois McAtee Trust.

Festival is smashing success!

Fusebox Marketing on June 14, 2022

The 2022 Bell Tower Festival that also celebrated Jefferson’s 150th birthday was an outstanding success. The attendance at the Mahanay Bell Tower over the three days was close to 1,000 visitors. So many comments of all ages on the bells ringing, rooftop art, view from the observation deck and friendly staff members were heard throughout the weekend.

The Bell Tower Festival was coordinated through The Jefferson Matters: Main Street & Chamber’s Events Team with Dr. Philip Heisterkamp serving as the chairperson for the third year. The attendance at the festival as a whole was greater than those of recent years. Other than a few showers, the weather cooperated with mild temps and no wind! The downtown was showcased in all of its beauty to class reunions, families and friends who gathered for the annual festival.

Bell Tower Festival 2022

Fusebox Marketing on June 9, 2022

The Bell Tower Festival is ready to kick into gear for this weekend. The theme coincides with the 150th Sesquicentennial of Jefferson. Activities begin on the square on Thursday night with a fundraiser Dinner Party and continue throughout the weekend.

Check out this website for a full schedule of events and sign-ups for all of the activities. www.belltowerfestival.com

The Bell Tower Festival also offers info on Facebook & Instagram.

Chews Jefferson concerts every Wednesday

Fusebox Marketing on May 31, 2022

Chews Jefferson is a Wednesday lunch event for the summer. It will begin on Wednesday, June 1 and continue each week through the end of August. Residents and visitors are encouraged to order take-out lunch from the many restaurants in Jefferson, and enjoy a Tower Tunes Live concert downtown. A variety of Mahanay Maestros will be playing live each Wednesday from 12:15 – 12:30 p.m. Each will select their own playlist. The lunch and the music will be a treat for all to enjoy!

This popular event is a promotion coordinated with Jefferson Matters: A Main Street & Chamber Community and the Bell Tower Community Foundation.