Bell Tower Restoration

Photo Taken by Alfred State

 Written by Amanda Damon

The bell tower that sits in the middle of the Alfred State campus has become an icon of the school. While instantly recognizable by both sight and sound, many students might not be aware of the purpose of this tower. Cast in Holland by Petit & Fritsen in 1965 and installed by The Verdin Company in 1973, the five bells were established to honor former Alfred Tech President Walter Hinkle. Each bell has an inscription, including the dedication to Walter C. Hinkle, his birth and death dates, and the dates he was made an instructor, dean, and President. The bells range from 407lbs to 2,750lbs and sit inside the 63-foot tower.  

Over the years, repairs and upkeep have been necessary. These have been funded largely by alumni and friends of Alfred State. In 2005, a significant donation was given by Robert Crouse, prompting the renaming of the tower to the Crouse/Hinkle Bell Tower. An endowed fund has since been created to ensure the preservation of the tower for years to come.  

The bells have currently gone offsite for large scale repairs and restoration of several aspects, including the corrosion of the bell housing piece and the corroding clacker cones. The Verdin Company, the original company that installed the tower, will work on galvanizing the housing pieces, updating the electronic music system and replacing the clock hands. Since the bells are so heavy, there was concern that, in their current condition, they could be a danger to the campus. The current restoration work will ensure that the bell tower will be in great condition for many more years.  

Alfred State Chief Financial Officer Joseph Greenthal has played a large part in monitoring the bells during his past decade with the college. In an interview concerning the recent temporary removal of the bells, Mr. Greenthal stated that he is excited about the restoration as it is “important to pay homage to our past and remember our history.” The Crouse/Hinkle Bell Tower is certainly one of the more distinguishable representations of Alfred State College, so upkeep of the tower and the legacy tied to it is an important project. While the hope is for this project to be completed by summer, the exact timeframe is unknown at this time. 

Photo Taken by Alfred State