Luray Caverns

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Belle Brown Northcott Memorial Carillon

Thomas C. Northcott and his daughter Katnerine Northcott Graves gave a carillon at Luray Caverns in honor of his wife, Bell Brown Northcott.  Northcott bought Luray Caverns in 1905.  The carillon has 47 bells cast by the John Taylor Bell Foundry in Loughborough, England.

References
1919 Isabelle Jane “Belle” Brown Northcott (8 Sep 1847 - 16 Jul 1919) grave

1937 "Luray Caverns Carillon," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, November 14, 1937, Page 25.
Down into the valley of Virginia — noted for its beauty throughout the world, motored a throng of people Saturday, to see — and hear — a unique performance in this part of the world. The "Bells of Luray," a memorial to the wife of T. C. Northcott, were heard throughout the valley for the first time.
Mr. Northcott, the owner of the world-famous Luray Caverns, a ninety-three-year-old veteran of the Civil war, has erected a "Singing Tower" — 113 feet In height, overlooking the Shenandoah valley at Luray. In the lofty tower forty-seven carillon bells will peal out their golden notes throughout the years. Imported from England, these musical bells cost Mr. Northcott $5,000. The total cost of the memorial is estimated to be $150,000. In order to insure the permanency of the music, a trust funa of $60,000 has been left to meet the cost of a constant carilloneur, and to keep the gift in repair.
Anton Brees, son of the famous Flemish carilloneur, who played the bells in the Antwerp cathedral for fifty-five years, was at the keyboard during the concert.
These musical bells vary greatly in size. The largest weighs seven thousand four hundred and sixty pounds, while the smallest weights approximately twelve pounds. A skilled worker from England was sent to Luray to adjust the bells when they were hung in the tower. As the crowds gathered In the vicinity of Luray, the melodious notes of the bells were wafted over the hills and dales — an everlasting memorial to a beloved wife — and a thrilling experience that will be enjoyed through the ages by those thousands making yearly pilgrimages to Luray.

1937 "Carillon Concert At Luray Is Attended by Bluefielders," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, November 28, 1937, Page 17.
Anton Brees, Noted Artist, Thrills Hearers With Program on Instrument Presented to Luray by T. D. Northcott, as Memorial to his wife.

1941 Theoore C Northcott (7 Sep 1844 - 9 Jul 1941) grave

2017 "The Forgotten Sanatorium That Was Cooled by Cave Air," by Eric J. Wallace, Atlas Obscura, December 27, 2017

Luray Singing Tower  

© 2023 Morris A. Pierce