What is in the Memorial Clock Tower?
The University Museum is located at the base of the tower with many historical objects on display. Steven Rosen, museum director, said there are nearly 4,000 objects in the museum, such as paintings from all periods, a collection of furniture from the English and American 1800s and 1900s and a collection of silverware mostly from 19th century Louisiana.
How long has the museum been in the tower?
“We’ve been here since 1960,” Rosen said. “Aside from the Union building, it’s the most important building on campus and one of the most visible.”
Can anyone see these displays?
The museum is open from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Monday through Friday and is free to the public, Rosen said.
“I think it’s important that people take advantage of [the museum] because it’s right here. They can get a taste of how times were in the 19th and 20th centuries, and it’s within walking distance,” Rosen said.
Can people go up to the top of the tower?
Rosen said no one is allowed into the bell tower, and custodians and maintenance crews rarely go up.
“One time one of the numbers in the clock fell off, and they had to bring a crane in and hoist people up there to fix it,” Rosen said.
Diana Wells, assistant to the museum director, said there is a stairwell in the tower and the interior is unfinished and uninviting.
“There’s exposed brick and mortar, and the AC units and heating are inside, so it’s not habitable,” Wells said. “Facility Services goes up there occasionally to do work on the machines or change out the windows, but that’s it.”
How are the clock and chimes kept up?
Everything is located on the first floor of the tower for people to do maintenance on the timing of the clock and chimes, Rosen said. He said everything is done electronically with a machine and a timer.
What makes the chimes sound?
Paul Favaloro, director of Facility Services, said the chiming every 15 minutes comes from a recording emitted from speakers set up on the tower. He said he cannot remember a time when there were real bells in the tower, but they may have been present 25 years ago.