Expanded hours for October

donvg on September 30, 2024

The Mahanay Bell Tower has expanded hours this year and will be open daily during the month of October from 10 am – 4 pm. With these hours, the admission will be $1 off throughout the month. Youth 18 & under will continue free admission courtesy of A & W Family Restaurant.

Bell Tower Tour Coordinator Pat Richards explained, “There has definitely been an increase in visitors during October in recent years. Traveling in the fall to see the changing rural landscape is very popular. The Lincoln Highway is a draw to many and visitors like to stop at the Tower to experience the bells and the view. There are several bus tours scheduled during this month too.”

Bell Tower Foundation President Don Van Gilder stated, “With this expansion of hours, the board decided $1 off the adult admission was a great way to promote this. We hope locals who haven’t visited the Tower in the fall will plan to do so. It is a beautiful view.”

The dedication of the Mahanay Bell Tower took place 58 years ago on October 16, 1966. This year, Mahanay Maestro Rick Morain will play a special anniversary Tower Tunes Live Concert from 12:15 – 12:30 pm. Bill Monroe continues to change the songs playing after each hour with a great selection of recognizable tunes including patriotic, religious and secular.

The Mahanay Bell Tower was named the 2021 Rural Iowa Attraction of the Year.
Special tours can be arranged by calling the Jefferson Matters office at 515-386-2155.

Father’s Day Tower Tunes Live Concert

donvg on June 12, 2024

The Mahanay Bell Tower will feature a special Father’s Day Tower Tunes Live Concert on Sunday, June 16. Mahanay Maestro Yvette Bardole will play selections on the carillon from 12:15 – 12:30 pm. The public is invited to gather downtown to listen.

The Mahanay Bell Tower is now open daily. Hours are 10 am – 4 pm.

The carillon will play music digitally throughout the weekend with two tunes after each hour from 9 am – 7 pm. The new Jefferson Chimes fanfare will play daily after 8 am and 8 pm.

The Mahanay Bell Tower is lit up with LED lights every Friday and Saturday night after dusk.

For more information about the tower and activities, follow the Mahanay Bell Tower Facebook page and check out thewebsite www.mahanaybelltower.org

Tower Tunes Live & Name That Tower Tune 2024 Schedule

donvg on May 28, 2024

For more information about each Tower Tunes Live & Name That Tower Tune concert check out the Events tab from the Experience main menu item at the top of this page.

2024 Bell Tower Festival Schedule

donvg on May 28, 2024

http://www.belltowerfestival.com

June 6 through 8, 2024

Tower Opens for 2024

donvg on May 2, 2024

The Mahanay Memorial Carillon Tower will officially open weekends in May starting May 4-5. Hours are Saturday and Sunday from 10 am – 4 pm. Daily hours begin on Memorial Day weekend through the end of October with hours remaining at 10 am – 4 pm. The daily hours in October are a new addition because of the number of visitors last season during that month. The Mahanay Tower was selected as the #1 Rural Attraction in 2021 by Iowa Tourism.

Appointments for special tours during the week in May or at other hours during the season can be made by calling the Welcome Center at 515-386-2155 during work hours. Large group tours can be personalized if planned ahead of time.

The four octaves of bells play the Westminster chimes at each quarter hour throughout the day. A carillon concert of two songs is played after each hour from 9 am – 7 pm. This year, the new “Jefferson Chimes” written by local musician Jennifer Powers will be played on the carillon after the 8 am Westminster Chimes and the 8 pm Westminster Chimes. This new “Jefferson Chimes” melody will begin and end the day in Jefferson.

Mahanay Maestros, local and area musicians, will continue to provide special Tower Tunes Live concerts each Wednesday of the season from May 29- August 28. These will be played live from 12:15 -12:30 pm. Name that Tower Tune is a Wednesday event that will continue from May 29 during the month of June during the Tower Tunes Live concerts. Participants on the plaza will try to name the tunes played on the carillon.

A handicap accessible elevator takes visitors to the glass-enclosed Paul Nally Observation Deck up 128 feet for a view of the landscape of Greene County and the installations of rooftop art on buildings around the square. Four new Ring Out for Art sculptures will be installed for the season on the Bell Tower Plaza in May. The rooftop art and sculptures are a project of the Tower View Team of Jefferson Matters.

The Bell Tower Lobby offers souvenirs, an historical video, and special items telling the story of the tower and the Jefferson community. A display honors the many Bell Tower of Fame Award recipients. Visitors are asked to locate their home on the maps – both U.S. and the world. The hospitality-trained tower tour guides are very knowledgeable about the history of the tower and Greene County.

Tower admission is $5 for adults. Youth 18-years and younger are admitted free, courtesy of annual sponsors. The 2024 sponsor for youth is A & W Family Restaurant in Jefferson. Individual season passes are available at the tower for $25. For more information about the tower and activities, follow the Mahanay Bell Tower Facebook page.