Fusebox Marketing – Page 3 – Mahanay Bell Tower

New rooftop art for 2022

Fusebox Marketing on May 18, 2022

Artist Dana Hamilton is working on his rooftop art installation on the roof of the delicious Peony Chinese Restaurant. This restaurant is located on Lincoln Way directly south of the Mahanay Bell Tower. Visitors can watch Dana work on days that the weather is cooperating from the Nally Observation Deck of the Bell Tower.

The Mahanay Bell Tower is open weekends in May from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and then daily starting Memorial Day weekend. Appointments can be made to visit the Tower by calling The Welcome Center at 515-386-2155 and a staff member will meet you there.

Elementary Students Visit

Fusebox Marketing on May 13, 2022

In the next two weeks, just under 400 Jefferson Elementary students and their teachers will visit The Mahanay Bell Tower, Thomas Jefferson Gardens, Sally’s Alley, and the newest plaza sculptures in Downtown Jefferson. What a great way to end the school year!

Staff training

Fusebox Marketing on May 4, 2022

Two of our Mahanay Bell Tower staff members participated in the Travel Iowa Tour Guide Training Workshop offered at Camp Dodge in Johnston. Michele Harding and Shelly Berger have been on the Bell Tower tour staff for a number of years. All of our tour guides are terrific ambassadors for the community as many times they are the first impression for our visitors.

Lois & Dean McAtee Trust sponsors youth admissions for 2022

Fusebox Marketing on May 4, 2022

The Lois and Dean McAtee Trust is the 2022 sponsor of free admission to the Mahanay Carillon Tower for all young people aged 18 and younger. Lois McAtee is surrounded by several grandchildren and friends who will be able to experience the views from the Nally Observation Deck absolutely free. The sponsorship allows young people to see the aerial sights and learn about the power of philanthropy for community betterment.

Open for 2022 Season!

Fusebox Marketing on April 30, 2022

The Mahanay Memorial Carillon Tower will open for the 2022 season on Sunday, May 1 from 10 am – 4 pm. The Bell Tower Staff is ready to tell the story about the Mahanays and this unique bell tower. An elevator ride takes visitors to the Paul Nally Observation deck which is all glass enclosed. From there, a clear view of the surrounding countryside and the beautiful downtown always brings a lot of discussion of what can be seen.

Rooftop art has been installed on five rooftops, each with a story of their own. Another installation will begin this summer on Peony Chinese Restaurant by artist Dana Hamilton.

Of course, the 47 bells chime the Westminster Chimes throughout the day and several songs are played digitally on the bells after each hour. Visitors enjoy hearing the bells in the Tower but they can also be heard all over the community.

This unique attraction was named the 2021 Rural Tourism Attraction by Iowa Tourism. Admission is just $3 for adults and free to youth 18 and under in 2022 through a sponsorship by the Lois & Dean McAtee Trust.

Hours for the month of May are Saturday and Sunday from 10 am -4 pm. and then daily beginning Memorial Day weekend from 10 am – 4 pm. Appointments for other times can be made by calling The Welcome Center at 515-386-2155.

Christmas Tower Tunes Live concerts

Fusebox Marketing on November 16, 2021

The Mahanay Bell Tower will be celebrating the upcoming Christmas season with carillon music played throughout the day. A variety of tunes will continue after each hour from 8 am – 8 pm coordinated by Bill Monroe.

Christmas Tower Tunes Live concerts will be played by local Mahanay Maestros each Sunday from 12:15 – 12:30 pm and Thursday from 5:15 – 5:30 pm from Nov. 28 – Dec. 23. Each Maestro will select their favorites to serenade the community. These concerts are coordinated by Peg Raney and the music committee of the Bell Tower Community Foundation.

A special concert will be held surrounding the Community Christmas Tree Lighting on Sunday, Dec. 5 in the early evening by Janice Harbaugh. The Tree Lighting will be held at the Thomas Jefferson Gardens.

All concerts with the Maestros who will be playing will be noted on the website at www.mahanaybelltower.org as musicians choose their dates.

The Mahanay Bell Tower is closed for the season but is available for tours by appointment only by calling the Jefferson Matters office at 515-386-2155.

Veteran’s Day Tower Tunes Live Concert on Nov. 11

Fusebox Marketing on November 10, 2021

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 four octave carillon concert. Rick’s playlist will certainly be amazing selections to honor our veterans. The Veteran’s Day concert is part of the regular Tower Tunes Live concert series set up by the Board of Supervisors and coordinated through the Bell Tower Community Foundation.

Goal of 6,000 Visitors!

Fusebox Marketing on October 19, 2021

10/19/21: We need only 98 visitors to the Mahanay Memorial Carillon Tower to reach our attendance goal of 6,000 for this year. The Tower is open on weekends (Sat. & Sun.) from 10 am-4 pm the rest of October before our season ends. Help us reach this stretch goal of the most visitors in a year. Bring your family and friends to visit the Tower. See beautiful fall colors and roof top art. Bells play every quarter hour and several musical selections after each hour. Our friendly tour guides are waiting to greet you. Rotary Club of Jefferson sponsors free admission for all youth 18 and younger.

55th Birthday Concert on Oct. 16

Fusebox Marketing on October 12, 2021

The dedication of the Mahanay Bell Tower took place 55 years ago in 1966, and each year it is a time to celebrate. A Tower Tunes Live Birthday Concert will be played Saturday, Oct. 16, from 12:15 – 12:30 pm. Local Mahanay Maestro Sheryl Sloan will perform her favorite music on the carillon for the community to enjoy.

Bell Tower Foundation board members will hand out special birthday treats to the first 55 in-person listeners. Ding-Dongs and a penny for the penny souvenir press will be distributed on the plaza or to those listening from their vehicles. The penny press is located in the lobby area of the Tower.

The Mahanay Bell Tower has moved to October regular hours of Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm. Youth age 18 and younger can ride the elevator to the top at no charge courtesy of Rotary Club of Jefferson. Adults pay $3 to ride to the observation deck.

Covid precautions are in still in place with masks optional for the comfort level of the visitors and staff. Limited numbers allow for social distancing in the elevator and observation deck.

Visitors may also call for an appointment for during the week by calling the Jefferson Matters: A Main Street & Chamber Community office at 515-386-2155.

Tower Open Weekends through October

Fusebox Marketing on August 19, 2021

The Mahanay Bell Tower will continue regular hours on Saturdays and Sundays through the end of October. Open from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., the Tower’s staff welcomes visitors to Jefferson sharing the story of Floyd and Dora Mahanay and their gift to Greene County. The 47 bell carillon plays the Westminster Chimes at each quarter hour and several songs play after each hour. An elevator ride to the Paul Nally Observation Deck gives a terrific overview of the community and surrounding landscape of rural Iowa, particularly beautiful in the fall. Five rooftop art installations can only be seen from this observation deck. Youth are free courtesy of the Rotary Club of Jefferson and adult admission is just $3.

On the plaza area near the tower, Ring Out for Art sculptures can be viewed. Many people enjoy their coffee, lunches, and meet friends as the bells play after each hour throughout the day. Sally’s Alley and Arch Alley are art-filled pedestrian alleys in the downtown. Historic plaques tell the story of Greene County’s interesting past. Locally owned shops areaopen and filled with unique merchandise. Local restaurants and coffee shop are available for meals and everything in-between. Download the free Jefferson, IA app for more info.

For an appointment for a tour of the tower during the week, please call the Jefferson Matters: A Main Street and Chamber Community office at 515-386-2155.