Asheville’s Historic Chimes: Whisperers of Peace and Melody
Truth be told, nestled within downtown Asheville resides a story that chimes through ages. A testament to time, community, and music, the historic chimes of Asheville, North Carolina whisper memories of peace and melody to new generations.
Sound Echoes from Historical Past
A slight tremble of thrill runs through you as you ascend ten stories above Asheville and traverse 90 years into the past. At the heart of this exploration rests the iconic peace chimes of the city, a memento from an era long since passed, yet resonates with distinct significance, then and now. Installed atop the monumental Asheville City Hall, a brass behemoth slumbers waiting for a new dawn.
Birthday of the Melodic Giants
The chimes originated from a unique initiative. School children of Buncombe County and Asheville teamed up with the then-mayor to raise $5,000 for the ten-note chimes that still ring high in the city hall. As rare additions to public places, the peace chimes created a striking change in Asheville’s soundscape during the 1930s and ’40s; their harmonies harmoniously interwoven with the city’s daily activities.
A Hush Descends
Sadly, the music ceased when the 1960s arrived, cloaking the 300-to-700-pound chime set in silence. Despite a refurbishment, the melodies have been hushed since the late ’90s. The only silent memento from the era in the city hall that houses a ninth-floor grandfather clock that needs weekly winding.
Hopes to Revive the Music
Hope arrives in the form of local musicians who intend to bring back the tunes that once reverberated through the Asheville City Hall. They dream of reviving the public space music, shaping the community’s daily life with regular chime concerts, much like it did in the past.
Balance of Free Speech and Public Service
Restoring the chime’s harmonious melody poses some challenges. Among primary concerns is to create a public usage policy that walks the fine line between the rights to free speech and public service. The goal is to establish regular performances that kindle community spirit sustainably.
A Symphony Between Bells and Quartet
A dream takes form as a composition involving a quartet in the park sparking an enchanting conversation between the bells and the string quartet. Aptly titled, “While There’s War, We Ring for Peace”, the composition’s melody rings as a potent reminder of the need for peace amidst global discord.
Nurturing the Next Generation
As these plans take shape and musicians begin to compose new scrolls for the instrument, the chimes stand to weave harmony and peace into daily lives once again. To the people of Asheville, the city’s historic chimes are both a gift and a responsibility. An echo from the past, they aim to ensure the chimes entertain the present and inspire future generations, thereby letting the melodies of these historic chimes live on.
