Midwestern State University

Hardin Administration Building at Midwestern State University

Links to Carillon Inventories
GCNA	Tower Bells	Bok Tower Gardens

The J.E. and L E. Mabee Foundation.of Midland, Texas funded a carillon of 35 bells cast by the Petit and Fritsen Bell Foundry in Holland and installed in the tower of the Hardin Administration Building. The instrument was dedicated on September 16, 1952 by Frederick Marriott, a graduate of the carillon school in Mechelen, Belgium.

The carillon was damaged by a fire in April 1956 but was restored early the following year.

The instrument was renovated in the early 2000s with funds provided by Bruce and Graciela Redwine and was renamed the Redwine Carillon to honor his mother. Two additional bells were funded by MSU's former carillonneur Don Owens and his wife Jane, and John Sjostrom in memory of his wife Frieda. The renovated carillon was dedication on October 26, 2003 by Arla Jo Anderton.

The campus also has an exact replica of the Liberty Bell cast by the Paccard Fonderie des Cloches of Annecy, France located in front of the Hardin Administration Building, as shown in the above photo.. The markings and inscriptions replicate the Liberty Bell down to the nail that was placed in the crack. The bell is 44 1/2” in diameter, 42 3/16” high (including the yoke and stand), and weighs 2,050 pounds.

References
1952 "MU Tower Will Have Carillons," Wichita Falls Times, March 26, 1952, Page 5.

1952 "New Carillon Installed in Midwestern Tower," Wichita Falls Times, September 14, 1952, Page 5D.

1952 "Concert to Note Bell Dedication," Wichita Falls Times, September 15, 1952, Page 14.

1952 "Bells Ring Out Tonight in MU Dedicatory Concert," Wichita Falls Times, September 16, 1952, Page 3.

1952 "Texans Going All-Out for Music With Bells," The Austin American, November 9, 1952, Page 19.

1957 "MU Carillon is restored to use," Wichita Falls Times, January 27, 1957, Page 44.