IIn 1951, the Netherlands donated a gift to the United States, Thank you for American assistance during the war and reconstruction. This tractor is housed in a modern clock tower directly next to Arlington National Cemetery, with a view of Washington, DC. The watches were recently restored in Asten by Koninklijke Eijsbouts Bell Foundry. The watches are now on their way to America.
The Fifty Bells of the so-called “The Netherlands Carillon” arrived at the Eijsbouts Bell Foundry over a year ago to reconnect and restore them. This was necessary because the bell was marked by the ravages of time.
To emphasize the gift’s patriotic character, bells were cast in the 1950s by the Three Bell foundries in the Netherlands. Nice idea that caused some problems. Clock and Bell Museum:
“It turned out to be a flaw in a project that had many setbacks regardless of goodwill. In the end, the Netherlands Carillon did not become the high-quality musical instrument our country was willing to introduce. By resetting smaller bells, an attempt was already made to make them harmonious, but it was There is always something to be desired. It turns out that it is necessary to return all watches to the Netherlands to be handled by the experts here. “
To get a better result, the bell had to be extended by three bells. This project was recently completed in Asten. On Thursday morning, the watches were placed in two shipping containers for the return flight to the United States. The three new bells that were thrown to expand the device have already been shipped. Named after George Marshall, Eleanor Roosevelt and Martin Luther King respectively, these watches will be on temporary display at the Dutch Embassy prior to assembly.
The intent is to install 53 bells in the bell in the coming months in the bell tower, which has also been restored. The Clock and Bell Museum currently has an exhibition on Watches of America.
Westminster Slag
The Westminsterslag melody plays the krillon hourly, which is a popular four-tone tune that also plays the Big Ben in London every hour. Special music is played on some historical dates, such as Liberation Day, Independence Day and Thanksgiving Day.
The 40-meter high bell tower was designed by Rotterdam architect Ghost Books. Initially, Gerrit Rietveld was supposed to design the memorial, but due to his sympathy for the Communists he was pushed back. University Professor Diederik Oostdijk recently wrote a book on the monumental history.
Also interesting: Clay watch – royal organ clock
the book: Watches for America
In the video: 15 facts about “Holland Carillon”:
