The Ring of History: Celebrating 40 Years of Simsbury’s Tower Bells
If you have ever walked through the center of town and heard the rich, resonant echo of bells filling the air, you have experienced one of our community's finest hidden treasures. Housed in the tower of the Simsbury United Methodist Church (SUMC) is the Foreman Carillon. Boasting a staggering 55 bells, it is the second-largest carillon in the entire state of Connecticut—with only 11 in existence statewide. This Memorial Day is an incredibly special milestone: it marks the 40th anniversary of the installation of these magnificent bells, which first arrived to transform our town’s soundscape in the late fall of 1986.
A Gift of Music and Vision
The story of the carillon began in 1986, when local residents Charles and Peggy Foreman approached SUMC with a vision. They wanted to offer a musical gift that would not only enhance church services but also spark a broader interest in high-quality music throughout the greater Farmington Valley. The profile of a modern carillon bell traces its roots back to 13th-century Europe, but the engineering behind Simsbury's bells required a massive, international effort to bring to life.
How It Was Put Together
Piecing together a 55-bell carillon is a monumental feat of global craftsmanship and local grit. Here is how the Foreman Carillon came to be: Cast in the Netherlands: The 55 bronze bells were cast by Petit & Fritsen, Ltd., a legendary, 300-year-old foundry in Aarle-Rixtel, Netherlands. After the molten bronze cooled inside their molds for up to three weeks, the bells were placed on a lathe where small amounts of metal were shaved off to permanently tune five separate pitches (partials) per bell.
Engineered in Ohio: The tuned bells were shipped across the Atlantic to the I.T. Verdin Company in Cincinnati, Ohio. There, engineers meticulously designed the massive steel frame, mechanical linkages, and the playing console.
The Pigeon Problem & The Open Roof: Installing the instrument in late 1986 required serious ingenuity. Led by church member Carl Coppersmith, the crew first had to politely evict a massive flock of pigeons that had claimed the tower. Next, a large rectangular hole had to be cut directly into the roof of the bell tower so a massive crane could delicately lower the heavy bronze bells into position.
Unlike standard church bells that swing on a wheel, a carillon remains stationary. The player sits at a mechanical keyboard (or console) inside the tower, using fists and feet to press batons and pedals. These are connected directly to the bell clappers by wires, allowing the player to control the volume and expression of every note. Because there are no dampeners, the sound lingers and blends beautifully in the open air.
Celebrating the 40th Anniversary This Memorial Day
The very first official concert on the Foreman Carillon was played on Memorial Day in 1987, celebrating its first spring in the tower. Four decades later, that tradition is as resonant as ever. Before you claim your favorite lawn chair spot for the 110th annual Simsbury Memorial Day Parade (which kicks off at 12:30 PM), make your way over to the lawn of the Simsbury United Methodist Church to celebrate 40 years of this historic instrument.
What: 40th Anniversary Pre-Parade Carillon Concert
When: Monday, May 25 at 11:30 AM
Where: Simsbury United Methodist Church Lawn (799 Hopmeadow St.)
The bells will ring out with a stirring mix of patriotic anthems, traditional folk hymns, and inspirational melodies, filling the center of town with a brilliant wall of sound. Bring a blanket, pack some snacks, and look up at the tower to experience a truly magnificent piece of Simsbury history before we honor our nation's fallen heroes.