Christmas Tower Tunes Live Concert
Mahanay Maestro Rita Rasmussen will play the carillon with Christmas songs of her choice.
Expanded October hours and Birthday Celebration
The Mahanay Bell Tower has expanded hours again this year and will be open daily during the month of October from 10 am – 4 pm. Youth 18 & under will continue free admission courtesy of Jefferson dentists, Dr. Keith Van Beek and Dr. James Teusch.
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.”
The dedication of the Mahanay Bell Tower took place 59 years ago on October 16, 1966. This year, Mahanay Maestro Rhena Lane will play a special Tower Tunes Live Concert from 12:15 – 12:30 pm. All guests at the Mahanay Bell Tower on October 16 will take the tour for free.
Bill Monroe continues to change the songs playing after each hour with a great selection of recognizable tunes including patriotic, religious and secular.
Special tours can be arranged by calling the Jefferson Matters office at 515-386-2155.
Tower Tunes Live Concert – Bell Tower Anniversary
Mahanay Maestro Rhena Lane will play a special 59th. Anniversary Tower Tunes Live Concert from 12:15 – 12:30 pm.
Bell Tower Partners With Tower View Team
Bell Tower Community Foundation President Don Van Gilder with Jefferson Matters Tower View Team Chair Deb McGinn along with several TVT members Roger Aegerter, Linda Cochran, Joyce Kurth, Shelly Berger, Jolene Peters.
The Jefferson Matters September 5, 2025 Java’n Juice event afforded an opportunity to present Jefferson Matters Tower View Team with a $10,000 check from the Bell Tower Community Foundation in support of their upcoming Roof Top Art installation on the Centennial Block building. This art will feature a 3-D Vinyl rendering, something new and very innovative to the Roof Top Art projects.
A portion of the Foundation’s responsibility is to enhance the Tower to attract visitors. Bell Tower Community Foundation president Don Van Gilder said that “It seemed to us a perfect marriage with the Tower View Team to partner with them on this project. After all, in order to see the Roof Top Art, you have to come to the top of the Tower. When at the Tower, you see the Roof Top Art.” Reciting, tongue in cheek, to the Tower View Team, Van Gilder quoted the famous TV Character Red Green regarding this partnership, “Remember, I’m pulling for you. We’re all in this together.”
The Bell Tower Community Foundation funded this project with their Enhancement monies, not operating budget dollars, those of which are derived from bequests, donations and monies directed toward enhancement of the Tower. The Foundation is ever mindful of being good Stewards of these monies afforded them. Similar projects funded by these monies have been the purchase of additional bells from the existing 14 to the present 47 making it a full four octave carillon, outside seating, planters, music and colored lighting.
Bell Tower Hours for October
The Mahanay Bell Tower will continue to be open daily during the month of October from 10 am – 4 pm. Youth 18 & under will enjoy free admission courtesy of Jefferson Family Dentistry and Jefferson Dental Care.
Traveling in October to see the changing rural landscape is very popular. The Lincoln Highway is also a draw to many visitors who like to stop at the Tower to experience the bells and the view.
The dedication of the Mahanay Bell Tower took place 59 years ago on October 16, 1966.
Special tours can be arranged by calling the Jefferson Matters office at 515-386-2155.
Tower Tunes Live
Mahanay Maestro Yvette Bardole will play the carillon with songs of her choice.
Tower Tunes Live Concert
Mahanay Maestro Rhena Lane will play the carillon with songs of her choice.
Tower Tunes Live Concert
Mahanay Maestro Janice Harbaugh will play the carillon with Patriotic songs of her choice.
Children visit the Tower Free
With the elevator back up and running at the Mahanay Memorial Carillon Tower in Jefferson, people can now experience the full capabilities overlooking Greene County from the Paul Nally Observation Deck.
Jefferson Matters Executive Director Matt Wetrich says youth can also ride to the top of the Bell Tower for free because of the generosity of Jefferson Family Dentistry and Jefferson Dental Care.
“Thanks to both of our local dentist offices for co-sponsoring getting our kiddos up in the tower as many times as they want this year.”
Wetrich adds that adult admissions are $5 to also go up to see all of the amazing sights of the county from a height of 128 feet. The Bell Tower is open daily from 10am-4pm.