Bodega Bay in Sonoma County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
The Children's Bell Tower
Nicholas Green Memorial
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, July 5, 2015
1. The Children's Bell Tower Marker
All the bells were donated, mostly by families, schools and churches in Italy to express their sorrow - and appreciation for the decision of Nicholas' parents, Maggy and Reg Green, to donate his organs to seven Italians.
They symbolize the continuity of life. The centerpiece is from the Marinelli Foundry, which has been making bells for the Papacy for a thousand years. This bell, which has the name of Nicholas and the seven recipients, was blessed by Pope John Paul II.
The memorial was designed and built by Bruce Hasson of San Francisco.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the Historic Bells series list. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1979.
Location. 38° 20.445′ N, 123° 3.103′ W. Marker is in Bodega Bay, California, in Sonoma County. Marker can be reached from California Route 1 north of Ranch Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2255 Highway 1, Bodega Bay CA 94923, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles
this page online
More about this marker. The marker is reachable by a two-minute walk, if that, from the back of the Bodega Bay Community Center parking lot, just off of Highway 1.
Also see . . . The Bell Memorial. More information for the Children’s Bell Tower (Submitted on August 23, 2015.)
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, July 5, 2015
2. The Children's Bell Tower Marker
The Marinelli Bell. Visible on the face of the bell is a picture representing the gift of organ donation from Nicholas to his recipients. (Click to enlarge.)
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, July 5, 2015
3. The Children's Bell Tower Marker - Wide View
The children's bell tower in Bodega Bay is a magical place. It stands on open ground, a thick growth of cypress trees on one side and green hills on the other. In the background are high dunes and a tantalizing glimpse of the ocean. The tower is 18 feet high, three tubular steel pyramids from which hang 140 bells, almost all of them sent by Italians: school bells, church bells, ships' bells, mining bells, cow bells. The centerpiece is a majestic bell, thirty inches high, from the Marinelli foundry in Italy, which has been making bells for the papacy for a thousand years. Nicholas' name and the names of the seven recipients are on it, and Pope John Paul II went to the foundry to bless it. Whenever the wind blows, as it often does on this exposed coast, the bells chime, sometimes a few at a time, emphasizing the solitude of the surroundings, sometimes an entire orchestra, sounding like happy children at play. Then the sound fades away, and the children are gone.-- Nicholas Greene Foundation website
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, July 5, 2015
4. Nicholas Green Memorial Plaque
A memorial plaque commemorating the life of Nicholas Green (1987-1994) is placed along the path to the bells, reading: In memory of Nicholas, an imaginative bundle of energy who loved the freedom of open spaces and whose name is indelibly associated with organ donation in saving lives throughout the world. This park is his kind of place!
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, July 5, 2015
5. Nicholas Green - Detail from Memorial Plaque
Credits. This page was last revised on August 17, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 23, 2015, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 818 times since then and 62 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 23, 2015, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
