Watervliet - City of the Bells (Est. 1788)

Watervliet - City of the Bells (Est. 1788). . , Bell Description , 1872 West Troy Meneely Bell , Inscribed "The Meneely Bell Foundry" , West Troy, NY 1872, This 185 lb. bronze bell was found in a local estate of the former Mayor of Richmond Virginia, Horace Edwards. Mr. Edwards was mayor from 1946-1948 and ran for governor of Virginia in 1949. The bell was believed to have come out of a municipal building in Richmond. The bell was obtained by the Watervliet Historical Society for the City of Watervliet and its residents., The manufacture of church bells constituted the greater part of Meneely’s business. He also cast bells for use in academies, factories, fire alarms, light houses, ships, etc. Meneely Bell Foundry became one of the largest and most acclaimed bell factories in the country. Meneely bells were loaded onto barges and ships on the Erie Canal and Hudson River, which were located near the foundry. The bells were sent around the world and his reputation was spread internationally., Weight: 185 lbs , Base Diameter: 22" , Height: 18", The monument was dedicated August 2022., Meneely Bell Foundry , 1826-1951, The Meneely Bell Foundry was established in 1826 by Andrew Meneely, a former apprentice in the foundry of Julius Hanks. Meneely was one of the greatest bell makers in American History. More than 65,000 bells were cast under the Meneely brand between 1826 and 1951, when the business closed. Upon the death of Andrew in 1851, his sons took over the business and the family continued to cast Meneely bells for another 100 years., Andrew Meneely was a silversmith by training, and a chemist who mastered the mix of copper (78%), tin (22%) and molten heat to produce bells of elemental beauty and functionality. The bells were revered for the quality of their rich tones., The original factory produced clocks, engineering instruments and bells. By 1836, the foundry became one of the largest and most acclaimed bell foundries in the country. Soon its reputation spread internationally. Its bells were loaded on barges and ships on the Erie Canal and the Hudson River near the foundry and were sent around the world., Meneely manufactured a variety of church, academy, factory, depot, fire alarm, steamboat, ship, locomotive, plantation, fire engine, light house and other bells. These bells included chimes and carillons. Foreign competition which offered cheaper labor costs and cast iron bells, and the unavailability of metals, due to World War II, were all factors in the closing of the foundry in 1951., In Memory of Patricia and Dr. Richard Crinigan of Watervliet , Pat and Dick lived in Watervliet for 69 years and served as active parishioners of St. Brigid's Church the entire time. Pat taught at St. Brigid's for 48 years and so loved the youth of Watervliet. Their favorite charity was Arsenal City Kids and to the end, they believed Watervliet was Heaven on Earth., Thank you to the Watervliet Historical Society, located at the Dutch Reformed Church at 1501 1st Avenue. Residents and visitors are encouraged to visit the museum to learn more about the great role Watervliet played in the industrial revolution., Special thanks to Mayor Charles Patricelli for his role in making this memorial a reality; to Tom and Marylou Ragosta for providing the historical information; to Scott Boisvert, Jim Delgiacco, Mark Aragona and Bonded Concrete for the construction of this memorial; and to Peg Germano for purchasing the bell in memory of her late husband, Joe. ,