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The Lowell House Bells

By Noor M.R. Beckwith

- Every Sunday afternoon at one o'clock, and before special occasions, this great blue bell tower fills Harvard Square with a familiar song. Few, however, know the story of the bells. By Noor M.R. Beckwith

- The original 17 Russian bells from the Danilov Monastery in Moscow were purchased in 1930 by Charles Crane, a patron of Russian Orthodox Art. This unique set of bells was subsequently donated to Harvard. In 2008, a bell exchange was concluded through which the original bells were returned to Russia and replicas were specially cast for Harvard at Voronezh. The bell in this photograph is called Mother Earth and weighs nearly 13 tons. By Noor M.R. Beckwith

- Rebecca Gruskin '11, co-president of the Lowell House Society of Russian Bell-ringers, plays one set of bells. To play all of the bells together, several Klappermeisters (bell-ringers) simultaneously manipulate a pulley system of wires and foot pedals. By Noor M.R. Beckwith

- Inna Ryzhik '12, co-president of the Lowell House Society of Russian Bell-ringers, stands by the trill bells. She and Gruskin, along with other members of the Society and the Lowell House community, are responsible for training new ringers and creating a repertoire of peals. By Noor M.R. Beckwith

- Anyone may ring the bells, and enthusiasts are encouraged to comp the Bell-Ringer Society. Compers that survive a winter of bell duty are rewarded with a key to bell tower, which offers a beautiful view of the area. By Noor M.R. Beckwith

- Father Roman, Master Bellringer of the Danilov Monastery in Moscow, is on campus from April 15-21. He is offering master classes on the bells and giving talks in Lowell House during his stay. By Noor M.R. Beckwith

- Inna Ryzhik '12, co-president of the Lowell House Society of Russian Bell-ringers, observes Father Roman, Master Bellringer of the Danilov Monastery in Moscow, during one of his master classes on Saturday afternoon. By Noor M.R. Beckwith

Every Sunday afternoon at one o'clock the Lowell House bell tower fills Harvard Square with a familiar song. Few, however, know the story of the bells or about the Lowell House Society of Russian Bell Ringers.

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