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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mahanay Maestros continue to entertain residents and visitors with daily Tower Tunes Live concerts. Every day at 12:15 – 12:30 pm, a musician volunteers to play the four octave carillon. Their play list is their own preference of selections. This provides a wide variety of music.
Some of these musicians are local but several are from outside of Greene County. Each has been trained and approved as an official Mahanay Maestro. Mahanay Musicians who have played during the summer of 2021 so far include: Rick Morain, Sheryl Sloan, Danille Curtis, Bonnie Orris, Rhena Lane, Rita Rasmussen, Josey Weaver, David Howell, Janice Harbaugh, Lisa Rasmussen Ott, Jenny Wills, Bob Hauser, Tanner Taylor and Jana Taylor.
The Tower Tunes Live concerts will continue daily through Labor Day.
The Tower Tunes Live concert on Sunday, July 4th will be played by Jefferson-Scranton alum and professional musician Tanner Taylor and his wife Jana Taylor. This will be their first time playing the carillon here in Jefferson. This special concert will begin at 12:15 pm and the public is encouraged to arrive early in the downtown area to listen.
Tower Tunes Live concerts were kicked off on Memorial Day. The concerts are played by local and visiting Mahanay Maestro musicians daily at 12:15 -12:30 pm.
The annual Bell Tower Festival is ready to roll this weekend, June 11 & 12. The theme is Mission Impossible 2.0 since last year’s Mission Impossible festival was not able to be held. Activities and entertainment is planned for families to enjoy. Class reunions love to return on this weekend to catch up with their classmates. Events are being shared on the Bell Tower Festival Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/BellTowerFestival
The Mahanay Bell Tower will be open during the Festival extended hours: Friday from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Sunday hours will remain from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Youth are free courtesy of the Rotary Club of Jefferson and adults are $3. There may be limited numbers allowed in the lobby and observation deck at a time, but everyone will have a chance to take a tour!
