Black Friday is coming and that means the Salvation Army will stand outside the stores ringing their bells asking for donations. Bells, bells and more bells. We have bells on bicycles, churches, sleighs, jester’s hats, hotel reception, cow bells, sporting events, dinner tables and more. Amazing, bells are really everywhere.
Have you ever thought about how they are made and manufactured. I admit I hadn’t until recently when I came across an article about an American manufacturing company called, “Bevin Bells.” They have been making quality bells since 1832 in Connecticut, which is 185 years. This is a family owned business, 6th generation and they are the oldest surviving bell manufacturer in America.
I mentioined Salvation Army, because they have sold bells to them. In 1865 they made the first bicycle bell. For those of you who have watched the movie “It’s A Wonderful Life,” you cannot forget the famous ending of the movie when the tiny bell (made by Bevin Bell) on the Christmas tree starts ringing and Suzy tells her Dad that her teacher said, “every time a bell rings an angels gets his wings.”
While there are good stories… there are sad stories too. In 2012 lightening struck their manufacturing plant and burned it to the ground. CBS Evening News covered the story on November 15, 2012 in this article, “Conn. bell manufacturer looks to ring in better times.” While this was sad, there was a happy ending. In 2013 Bevin Bells received a Grant from Connecticut to rebuild their plant. It’s wonderful to see people coming together to keep a company alive. It’s part of our history.
So, this year as the holidays approach and I hear ALL the bells ringing, I will have an extra SMILE on my face knowing that these special bells are made by Bevin Bells, an American manufacturing company!
Brilliant Viewpoint 
Super cool history lesson!!!!
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Yes… I was surprised when I read about them. 🙂
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Interesting.. These small bits of information can really prove to be helpful at times. Thank you for sharing this.
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Love this story about a great, old American company! I will think about Bevin as we watch “It’s A Wonderful Life” this Christmas. We have a hanging dinner bell just inside our kitchen (kind of like the triangle you see in orchestras), but I’m sure Bevin didn’t make that one.
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I don’t know… they seem to make a lot of bells. Can you look and see if there is any stamp in your bell? Good question, I wonder if they have a logo stamp they put in their bells. 🙂
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Every time you hear a bell ring, an angel gets its wings!
Thanks, love finding out about everyday thangs I take for granted. You would like the podcast 99%invisible It sounds like it wuld be up your alley and it helps spawn ideas for posts 99percentinvisible.org
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There’s something about bells and Christmas Monica. Love the Festive Season. 🙂
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Beautiful bells! I have three silver Christmas bells of varying sizes and I love them so much I have hung them on the bedroom door knob so I can jingle them anytime 🙂
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Oh… I love that!
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