Bell Museums

[beausone]

Can you tell me names and locations of bell museums? My husband and I are taking a 3-week vacation through the mid-west in October, and bell museums would be of interest to us.

[beausone]

In my search for bell museums, so far I have found this information about museums of the glass manufacturers in WV, PA, and OH: http://www.glasspass.org/ We won't be taking this route this time, so they will be on the list for a different trip. This is an online museum only: http://danart.home.mindspring.com/bellsite/html/ This one is a possibility for this trip: http://www.bastbellmuseum.com/bast_bell_museum.html. Can anyone in TX tell me what happened to Ms. Brewer's collection in Canton, TX: http://www.soundportraits.org/on-air/br ... ll_museum/ As she found out, there are not many visitors to just a bell museum, so if anyone knows of a large collection in other types of museums, I would appreciate knowing about them.

[hjlong]

You may wish to add the Bell collection in the Crypt under the Washington Memorial Carillon at Washington Memorial Chapel, Valley Forge National Historic Park, Valley Forge, PA and the Miller collection at the Mission Inn, Riverside, CA. The former is a fine collection that was donated by an early ABA member.
Harry Long, MD

[hjlong]

I almost forgot to add the Bell Museum at the Verdin Bell Foundry, Cincinatti, OH. This has a fine collection of large bronze bells from carillons, clock towers, etc. and has some beautiful smaller bells for sale in their gift shop.
Harry Long, MD

[beausone]

Thanks Harry. I have added these to my list. Will let you know if we are able to visit any of them.

[Cornellbelfry]

For those who do not know, we have just under 4000 different bells on display at our home. We live in Sun City AZ. so we can not advertize it as a "Museum" ( No businesses in the homes). However the smaller ones are in 10 commercial floor to ceiling glass show cases & the large ones are on our patio which overlooks a golf course. I do have tours go thru & will be happy to welcome anyone that is in the area, after a phone call to arrange a time. This is important because we are VERY busy. We are listed in the directory.

[admin]

What a wonderful invitation! How would people know how to find you?

Carolyn

[admin]

I may not be west of the Mississippi but I have a museum that should be noted. My official grand opening will be the 1st weekend in April 2009 but I will gladly open to anyone wanting to see a bell museum of more than 5000 bells. Shoreham Bell Museum email at vtcat@shoreham.net. ringing off, Judy

Judy Blake has a fantastic collection that is the result of combining her own collection with those of her mother, her late husband, Charlie Blake, and his first wife, Beverly, who was ABA's 1989 president! Shoreham is a border town in western Vermont, near the Middlebury, VT, area. Shoreham is about 100 miles north of Albany, NY.

Carolyn

[Cornellbelfry]

Thank You Carol,
I am sorry that I left you all out on a limb. This is Gwen Cornell & our Ph. # is 623-583-0024.
The Sun city we are living in is just west of Phoenix, Give me a call & I will guide you.

[admin]

Thanks! Now people can find you!

Carolyn

[Frank]

cornellbellfry makes a good point. The homes of quite a few bell collectors are indeed 'museums'.
Belonging to club that rotates it's meeting in members homes is a great way to see different collections and many bells you probably would not otherwise encounter. A collection of 4,000 is large but, among ABA members, not that unusual. My wife's collection (she is the collector, I just tag along) is approaching 1,000 and, by some standards, this is a beginning collection. And aside, she has been "beginning" for forty years.
Frank

[admin]

Roger in Missouri writes:

In response to Beausone requesting bell museums in the Midwest in October. Ours is not a museum but we do have an interesting collection that they might enjoy seeing. Pre arrangements should be made by advance contact by E- mail. We're in Springfield, Missouri. rogerwiemer@mchsi.com.

Roger

This inquiry was originally sent to the ABA's Internet Coordinator. Responses are opinions of individuals based on their personal research and knowledge.
-01147-

[psteffek]

Here is the information on Virginia Bell Brewer's Bell Museum in Canton, Texas.

Brewer's Bells Museum-

Bell collection of Belle Brewer, contains some 3,200 bells, many rare and exotic. Museum/florist shop is 2 mi. west on Texas 64. Admission.

Remember that Canton has First Monday Trade Days, and it is difficult to get a room on that weekend. First Monday Trade Days is alot of fun too. There is no way to get through all of the shops in one weekend.