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For the first time in a century, bells will ring from Halifax city hall
Halifax Fire Department demonstrates new 100-foot aerial truck, City Hall, ca. 1966 — Halifax Fire Department community outreach photographs 102-111-4-1.88 to 102-111-4-1.91. Halifax Municipal Archives.

For the first time in a century, bells will ring from Halifax city hall

Last Updated on October 29, 2021 3:26 pm
Verdin Bells CO. doing the sounding of the 1853 bell, from McIvor Conservation.

A bell in storage, from McIvor Conservation.

Verdin Bells CO. doing the sounding of the 1853 bell, from McIvor Conservation.

You’ll hear real bells ringing at city hall for the first time in 100 years.

Two 150-year-old bells, one 30″ by 31″ and 830 lbs, one 35″ by 38″ and 1070 lbs, are being hoisted into the tower by crane Saturday.

City spokesperson Klara Needler said they’re replacing an electronic chime that’s been used since 1995.

“This’ll be the first time that real bells will ring at city hall in almost 100 years.”

Halifax Fire Department demonstrates new 100-foot aerial truck, City Hall, ca. 1966 — Halifax Fire Department community outreach photographs 102-111-4-1.88 to 102-111-4-1.91. Halifax Municipal Archives.

City Hall, pre-1929 when the Grand Parade fountain was removed to make way for the Cenotaph – City Clerk’s historical reference file – 102-5-1-88. Halifax Municipal Archives.

Crowd gathered in Grand Parade, for unidentified event between 1890-1905 – John and Beatrice Alley photograph collection CR16-84 Halifax Municipal Archives.

The original bells were removed sometime in the decade or two after the Halifax explosion.

Needler said it’s not clear, but one of the two bells might be that original.

“It’s possible that the smaller, 1853, bell could have bee an original city hall bell.”

The face of city hall will be closed down as workers move the heavy bells.

The new bells were set to go in Thursday, but the work was delayed due to high winds.

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