University of Texas

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Main Building at the University of Texas

Albert Sidney Burleson, graduate of the first class in 1884, donated an electric clock and 11-bell cast by the Garnier foundry in Paris, France that was installed in the Old Main Tower and were playing by April 1930.  These bells were put into storage when Old Main was torn down in 1934 and later installed in front of the present Bass Concert Hall.

A chime of 17 Meneely (Watervliet) bells was first played on May 12, 1937.

UT graduate Hedwig Thusnelda Kniker left a bequest to add 39 Petit & Fritsen bells to the carillon, which was named after her.  The expanded carillon was first played on November 14, 1987 by Willis Bodine.

References
1930 "The Mute Speaks," Denton Record-Chronicle, January 10, 1930, Page 10.

1930 "Installing Chimes in Main Building Texas University," The Wellington Leader, January 16, 1930, Page 13.

1936 "University Bells Play Many Songs as Bell Ringer Tunes Them Up," The Austin American, June 9, 1936, Page 1.

1986 "Alumna's gift to ring long, clear through bell music in UT Tower," Austin American-Statesman, June 6, 1986, Page 25

1987 "UT Tower bells facing carillon transformation," Austin American-Statesman, July 28, 1987, Page 15

1987 "Ringing in the new," Austin American-Statesman, October 8, 1987, Page 33
Kniker Carillon installation complete

1987 "Concert to ring in Dad's Day," Austin American-Statesman, November 14, 1987, Page 31

2021 The Eyes of Texas History Committee Report, March 9, 2021
Pages 25-26:  The Old Main Tower Chimes
Page 29:  The Tower Bells and The Eyes of Texas

© 2023 Morris A. Pierce