Historical Society hosts program launching 50th anniversary celebration
~by Chuck Offenburger for the Greene County Historical Society
A 6-month-long celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Mahanay Memorial Carillon Tower in Jefferson starts this Sunday, June 5, with a 2 pm program at the Greene County Historical Museum. And guess who will be helping tell the story of the iconic bell tower?
Floyd and Dora Mahanay, deceased since 1947 and 1962 respectively, are making another appearance to speak directly to Greene County residents of today. They will tell about their lives, how they decided to donate $350,000 to build the tower, and what they wanted it to become. Attendees will even be able to ask them questions.
The Mahanays will be portrayed by Bonnie and Don Orris of Jefferson, just as they were a year ago at a “History Walk” on the Greene County Courthouse square. On that day, the first set of historical plaques on the square were celebrated, with people of today portraying the notable leaders of yesteryear whose stories are told on the plaques.
Sunday’s free, hour-long program “Mahanay Bell Tower – Past, Present and Future” will start with a presentation by the Mahanays.
Then Pat Richards, who is tour guide coordinator at the tower, will speak about current events and operations of the tower, including staffing, new furnishings and souvenirs, the growing attendance, and the possibility of events being scheduled for the 140-foot-high observation deck.
Discussing the future of the tower will be Carole Custer, president of the Bell Tower Community Foundation. She’ll talk about the new $440,000 public campaign to add new bells, with the goal of achieving a 47-bell, 4-octave carillon.
Free refreshments will be served during the program by the Greene County Historical Society.
Chuck Offenburger, a member of the Historical Society board of directors, will be emcee and moderator for questions from the audience.
