Albany Area Bells:
Symbols and Regulators in the Bell-Making Capital of the New World

Bells were an essential component of everyday life in nineteenth century cities like Albany, and bell-making has been a significant industry in this area. Four now-defunct bell foundries, three of them in Troy and the other in what is now Watervliet, made about a hundred thousand bells, including the replacement for the cracked Liberty Bell and bells in many locations in Albany.

P. Thomas Carroll will discuss the role of bells in every day life in nineteenth-century cities like Albany and the history of famous local bell firms. He will also explain how bells are made, and relate some lively tales of notable bells, both in Albany and elsewhere.

This offering of the Neighborhood Stories at the New York State Museum series is a free event. For further information call 442-5000

P Thomas Carroll is an historian who specializes in American science history. Executive Director of the Hudson Mohawk Industrial Gateway since 1997, Tom served as Associate Professor of History in the Department of Science and Technology Studies at RPI, and currently holds adjunct appointments at RPI. He has published on topics ranging from Charles Darwin to the history of solid propellant rocketry. He has been a Mellon Fellow and an Exxon Research Fellow.

photo by Thomas V. Griffin