Historic Downtown Frederick, MD
Bells Needed to Ring in Unison on April 2 at 10 a.m.
Call
for Bells
On April 1-2, 2006, the world's only traveling bell forge came to Frederick and with great festivity the Frederick County History Bell was cast as a part of the revival of Bell & History Day. Five years to the day, this bell will be dedicated in its permanent location, at the new Frederick Visitor Center at 151 S. East Street in Frederick. The dedication will be timed so that at 10 a.m. exactly, this bell is ringing with hundreds of other bells all over the city and the county, to herald the start of the new museum season for which Bell and History Day is the opening program.
Each year, the Historic Sites Consortium asks that churches, firehouses and civic buildings throughout Frederick City and County join together in the simultaneous ringing of bells that opens Bell and History Days. Again this year, bells across the county are invited to ring in unison for three minutes at 10 a.m. on the morning of April 2, 2011. Don't wait for a cue - just start ringing! This year participation is more important than ever since the event not only marks the start of Bell & History Day, but it commemorates the opening of the new Frederick Visitor Center and the arrival of the Frederick County History Bell in its permanent location.
"If you are new to the area or just don't know about this event, this might seem like a strange request," explains Liz Shatto, Historic Sites Coordinator. "But, the Frederick Historic Sites Consortium is interested in bells, which traditionally note the passage of time, sound a call to action or herald significant events. We believe bells are an apt theme for a heritage event and the celebrations on April 2."
Tips for Participation
Please work out an arrangement with a volunteer or staff member who will be accountable for ringing your bell that morning. Sometimes this task gets forgotten and it is pretty underwhelming when we don't' have a full complement of bells sounding all around the City, our towns and villages, and even in our rural areas. But that's all you have to do - there is no cost and it only requires three minutes of someone's time. Last year, some churches delegated the task of bell ringing to a family. Others had a group of youth share the duty (and then they enjoyed some Bell and History Day activities together). In some cases, a single volunteer or the church sexton did the duty. It can be fun, especially if you are ringing in hearing distance of other church and firehouse bells that are also ringing. Think of the glorious sound and the sense of community that will link all who hear the bells.
Please encourage the other churches, firehouses, and civic buildings in your neighborhood or that you know about to be a part of this event.
If possible, send an email to Liz Shatto (lshatto@fredco-md.net) to confirm that your bells will be ringing. This isn't a requirement, but it is helpful to know which churches plan to join the ringing. Thank you in advance for participating in the countywide bell ringing on April 2 - for three minutes starting at 10 a.m.
No Bell to Ring? Ring Ours!
If you aren't busy ringing your own bell, please come to the new Visitor Center at 9:30 a.m. on April 2 for the dedication of the Frederick County History Bell, and to see the new center. Bell and History Day continues with free activities at museums and historic sites in the City of Frederick and all over Frederick County. Also, the Bell & History Handbell Festival (April 3, 5 p.m. at the Basilica of the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Emmitsburg) is free and features nine choirs from local churches - and this year - the premier of some special arrangements in commemoration of the Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War.
Related Activities April 2 & 3
New Visitor Center Opens on Bell & History Day - April 2
Frederick County History Bell Dedication - April 2
Bell & History Day - April 2
Bell & History Day Handbell Festival - April 3
On April 1-2, 2006, the world's only traveling bell forge came to Frederick and with great festivity the Frederick County History Bell was cast as a part of the revival of Bell & History Day. Five years to the day, this bell will be dedicated in its permanent location, at the new Frederick Visitor Center at 151 S. East Street in Frederick. The dedication will be timed so that at 10 a.m. exactly, this bell is ringing with hundreds of other bells all over the city and the county, to herald the start of the new museum season for which Bell and History Day is the opening program.
Each year, the Historic Sites Consortium asks that churches, firehouses and civic buildings throughout Frederick City and County join together in the simultaneous ringing of bells that opens Bell and History Days. Again this year, bells across the county are invited to ring in unison for three minutes at 10 a.m. on the morning of April 2, 2011. Don't wait for a cue - just start ringing! This year participation is more important than ever since the event not only marks the start of Bell & History Day, but it commemorates the opening of the new Frederick Visitor Center and the arrival of the Frederick County History Bell in its permanent location.
"If you are new to the area or just don't know about this event, this might seem like a strange request," explains Liz Shatto, Historic Sites Coordinator. "But, the Frederick Historic Sites Consortium is interested in bells, which traditionally note the passage of time, sound a call to action or herald significant events. We believe bells are an apt theme for a heritage event and the celebrations on April 2."
Tips for Participation
Please work out an arrangement with a volunteer or staff member who will be accountable for ringing your bell that morning. Sometimes this task gets forgotten and it is pretty underwhelming when we don't' have a full complement of bells sounding all around the City, our towns and villages, and even in our rural areas. But that's all you have to do - there is no cost and it only requires three minutes of someone's time. Last year, some churches delegated the task of bell ringing to a family. Others had a group of youth share the duty (and then they enjoyed some Bell and History Day activities together). In some cases, a single volunteer or the church sexton did the duty. It can be fun, especially if you are ringing in hearing distance of other church and firehouse bells that are also ringing. Think of the glorious sound and the sense of community that will link all who hear the bells.
Please encourage the other churches, firehouses, and civic buildings in your neighborhood or that you know about to be a part of this event.
If possible, send an email to Liz Shatto (lshatto@fredco-md.net) to confirm that your bells will be ringing. This isn't a requirement, but it is helpful to know which churches plan to join the ringing. Thank you in advance for participating in the countywide bell ringing on April 2 - for three minutes starting at 10 a.m.
No Bell to Ring? Ring Ours!
If you aren't busy ringing your own bell, please come to the new Visitor Center at 9:30 a.m. on April 2 for the dedication of the Frederick County History Bell, and to see the new center. Bell and History Day continues with free activities at museums and historic sites in the City of Frederick and all over Frederick County. Also, the Bell & History Handbell Festival (April 3, 5 p.m. at the Basilica of the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Emmitsburg) is free and features nine choirs from local churches - and this year - the premier of some special arrangements in commemoration of the Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War.
Related Activities April 2 & 3
New Visitor Center Opens on Bell & History Day - April 2
Frederick County History Bell Dedication - April 2
Bell & History Day - April 2
Bell & History Day Handbell Festival - April 3
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