The Meneely Bicentennial

Most experts identify the area around Greater Troy, New York, as the most important bell-making area in the history of the New World. Born in what is now Watervliet, New York, in 1802, Andrew Meneely apprenticed at the first bell-making firm in the area. He and his sons and sons-in-law then founded three other local bell-making firms, two of them named Meneely. Collectively, they cast roughly 100,000 bells, including the re-placement for the Liberty Bell. Meneely bells can now be found all over the world. In observance of Andrew Meneely’s 200th birthday on 19 May 2002, the Hudson Mohawk Industrial Gateway will join with many other partners on various dates around 19 May to celebrate this region’s bell history. There will be special exhibits, an all-day bus tour, lectures, a pub event, and much bell ringing. This special section of the Gateway’s web site gives you the basics. To learn more about what will be happening, call the Gateway at 518-274-5267.

For a lithograph of Andrew Meneely, click here: Andrew Meneely 1802-1851

For a schedule of events, click here: Schedule of Events

For the text of the Gateway’s new illustrated booklet, The Bell Casters of Troy, by Sydney Ross, click here: The Bell Casters of Troy, by Sydney Ross

For a comprehensive listing of Troy Meneely bells, transcribed and edited by Jess Brodnax, click here: Listing of Troy Meneely Bell Installations

To send us email, click here: carroll@rpi.edu