Sept. 28, 2005--The reconstruction of Andover's Bell Tower took a dramatic step forward today as a giant crane was brought in to put the top of the tower back into place. In the first step of the two-step process, the crane replaced the bottom segment of the belfrey, or barrel, which contains 49 bronze bells. That unit weighs 22 tons. The second segment of the belfrey consists of another barrel afixed to the cupola.That unit weighs 11 tons.
Now that the belfrey is back in place, work crews will focus on repairing the tower's granite base and replacing its columns and other decorative appendages. Once the work is completed, the bells will ring out for the first time since 1989.
To read more about the Bell Tower reconstruction project, click here. To view photos of the tower during the dismantling phase of the project, click here.
