University of Connecticut

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Storrs Congregational Church, University of Connecticut

A 31-bell carillon for the Connecticut Agricultural College was purchased using a bequest from Austin Cornelius Dunham.  The college reportedly ordered the bells initially from the John Taylor Bell Foundry in England, but then cancelled that order (perhaps due to the 20% tariff then in place on imported carillons) and placed the order with the Meneely and Company of Watervliet, New York.  Twenty-nine of the bells were dedicated on June 7, 1931 by Melvin C. Corbett, and the two additional bells were installed in October. .

Five additional bells cast by Meeks, Watson, and Company were added in 2011, bringing the total of 36 bells.

References
1930 "Storrs Community Church to have Large Carillon," Hartford Courant, August 17, 1930, Page 9.
A carillon of 31 chimes has been ordered for the Storrs Community Church from the Taylor Chimes Company of London. England, according to an announcement made here today by the board of trustees of Connecticut Agricultural College. The carillon which will cost about $2O,000 has been made possible through a bequest of the late Austin C. Dunham of Canterbury. It is expected that the chimes will be installed and ready for use in time for the commencement exercises in June 1931.

1931 "Watervliet Firm to Install Bells," Albany Evening News, January 24, 1931, Page 11.
A thirty-one bell carillon, now under construction at Meneely and Company, Watervliet, will be Installed at the Connecticut Agricultural College, Storrs, Conn., in time for the graduation of the class of June, 1931. The bells will be toned on the five point harmonic basis.

1931 "Carillon Is Installed at Storrs Church," Hartford Courant, May 28, 1931, Page 4.

1931 "Baccalaureate Service Is Held by Storrs Class," Hartford Courant, June 8, 1931, Page 19.

1931 "Storrs Carillon Concert Will be Given Sunday," Hartford Courant, October 17, 1931, Page 11.
The Storrs carillon, which is thought to be the only one in Eastern Connecticut and one of the very few in the State, consists of 31 bells, the last two of which were added within the last week, the largest weighing 2800 pounds, and the smallest less than 30. The range includes two and one-half chromatic octaves octaves complete with the exception of the lowest semi-tone. This carillon is an American product and was cast and installed by Meneely and Company of Watervliet, N. Y., the only foundry in this country which makes accurately tuned bells suitable for carillon, and one of the three carillon makers in the world.

Dunham Carillon 

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