Naperville carillon worthy of preservation

The Millennium Carillon is a crown jewel that Naperville should cherish. The significance of the carillon to the Naperville community is threefold:

First, tower bells like the ones in the Millennium Carillon possess an unparalleled historic importance. In the western hemisphere, tower bells have rung to regulate sacred and secular life since the ninth century; almost no other man-made sound can make this claim of functionality and longevity. Second, by signaling to their community and performing music, bells themselves have come to represent the ideal of community. By prominently featuring the bells in its community, the city of Naperville showcases its dedication to that same ideal. Third, the Millennium Carillon exhibits Naperville's elite status as an advocate for the fine arts. There are only a handful of carillons of this size in North America, and few belong to cities.

Furthermore, repurposing the bells into an interactive installation may not be as economical or interactive as proponents may desire. Bronze bells need to be protected from acid rain and bird droppings, so the installation would require roofing and secure enclosure. In addition, the bell ringing mechanism would need to be strictly controlled to prevent damage. The interactive experience would be highly mediated - like ringing a doorbell - and another building would need to be constructed to accommodate all 72 bells.

I am one of the founders of Chicago Bell Advocates, an organization dedicated to ensuring the good use of tower bells throughout Chicago for the benefit of its communities. As a bell advocate and carillon performer in the Chicago area, I can attest to the enjoyment that bells bring to listeners. I strongly urge you to fund the repair of the tower to keep this incredible community instrument thriving.

Kimberly Schafer

Chicago