Hayes Hall on the University at Buffalo South Campus is once again “sounding off” for the entire neighborhood to hear. The hall’s church tower bells have been silent ever since renovation work began on the building in 2011. It was University Council member Kate Robinson Butler (wife of Edward H. Butler, president of the Buffalo Evening News, and eventual publisher of The News herself) who gifted the four-bell Westminster chime to UB 87 years ago, according to University Archives. Now the bells are back, providing students, professors and anyone else within earshot of the clock tower, a resounding and welcoming peal.
To many, there is nothing more comforting that hearing church bells clanging in one’s neighborhood. It’s a peaceful sign, and a familiar signal that denotes place and time. Many church bells these days have been replaced with digital recordings, if the chimes sound off at all. Anytime we have the ability to restore artifacts that are so precious, we must do so.
Yesterday, representatives of UB and members of the community gathered to pay tribute to the restored bells. UB News points out that “[each bell] carries an inscription befitting its presence in a place of learning.” Following is from University Archives:
The largest bell, weighing 1,800 pounds, is tuned exact F. It is used to strike the hours as well as for the quarter strike. It bears the following inscription, written by Cuthbert W. Pound, Chief Judge of the New York State Court of Appeals:
All truth is one. In this light may science and religion labor here together for the steady evolution of mankind from darkness to light; from prejudice to tolerance; from narrowness to broadmindedness.
The second bell weighs 750 pounds and is tuned exact B-flat. It bears the following inscription, taken from James Russel Lowell’s “Present Crisis”:
New occasions teach new duties; Time makes ancient good uncouth; They must upward still and onward Who would keep abreast with truth.
The third bell weighs 550 pounds and is tuned exact C. Its inscription is the sixteenth verse of the sixteenth chapter of Proverbs, and reads:
How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
The fourth bell, which weighs 400 pounds is tuned exact D. Its inscription was written by Judge Pound and reads:
I am the voice of life; I call you: Come and learn.”
Speakers at yesterday’s event included:
Laura E. Hubbard, vice president for finance and administration, UB
Robert G. Shibley, dean, UB School of Architecture and Planning
Gregory Brown, resident of the surrounding community
WHAT: The Hayes Hall clock tower chimes were restarted on October 15, and the celebratory event commemorates their return.
Hayes Hall, home to the School of Architecture and Planning, is scheduled to reopen in 2016. The building was originally part of the Erie County Almshouse.
Lead image: University at Buffalo Communications