Restore The Bells
Of Nashville
Bring back the sound that defined East Nashville’s history. Help restore the 1897 Tennessee Centennial Exposition bells in the Russell Street bell tower.
The Story of the Bells
The ten bronze bells of the 1897 Tennessee Centennial Exposition welcomed visitors from all around the nation, inviting them to celebrate, gather, and experience the spirit of Tennessee. When the exposition ended, Nashville feared the bells would be lost to outside bidders. Tulip Street United Methodist Church rallied to purchase them in 1898, making it the first church in the city to house a full bell chime.
The bells became a fixture of East Nashville.
For generations, they rang out at moments of joy and resilience. These bells have marked weddings, funerals, worship, and even recovery from tornado devastation. After the 1998 tornado ripped through East Nashville, a parishioner rang “Amazing Grace” from the Tulip Street bell tower to mark community strength. Restoring them now ensures this powerful voice of hope, history, and community will continue to ring for generations to come.
These bells are one of the last surviving artifacts of the Centennial Exposition, a living piece of Tennessee history that still belongs to the people of Nashville.
Why This Matters
This project is about preserving a voice of comfort, hope, and resilience for East Nashville. Not just saving metal.
PAST
Historic Preservation
These bells are one of the last surviving artifacts of the 1897 Tennessee Centennial Exposition. Restoring them keeps Nashville’s history alive.
PRESENT
Community Support
Neighbors, history lovers, and preservationists are uniting today around this project, making it a living effort that strengthens East Nashville.
FUTURE
Future Generations
With full restoration of the current ten bells and the addition of four new bells, the bells will ring stronger, richer, and more enduring than ever before.
Donor Program
There are many ways to support the restoration of the 1897 Tennessee Centennial bells. Every contribution matters, and every donor will be recognized as the bells ring again.
Donors can participate within two primary levels of giving:
Contributors: Donors who give up to $4,999
Sponsors: Donors who give $5,000+
Donor Program
Contributor Opportunities
Our Contributor level recognizes gifts up to $4,999 with donors acknowledged across four giving categories: Bronze Circle, Silver Circle, Gold Circle, and 1897 Society
All contributors will be included in the official trustee records of the church and recognized in printed materials celebrating the restoration of the bell tower.
Sponsorship Opportunities
- Song Sponsor Level: $5,000+
- Individual Bells: $10,000 – $75,000
- Manual Console: $75,000
- Bell Tower: $100,000
Recognition & Donor Benefits
All sponsors ($5,000 and above) receive:
- Recognition on a permanent plaque
- The opportunity to have the bells play a song designated by the donor on a meaningful date
- Ability to dedicate a sponsored bell (or console/tower) in memory or honor of someone special
- Optional engraving on the bell (Engraving costs include a $250 setup fee and $20 per character; Bell engraving requests must be submitted by August 1, 2026.)
- Invitation to the installation ceremony with a commemorative photo
If you are interested in any of these opportunities, please reach out to [email protected]
Your gift can be a lasting tribute that will ring for generations
The Project & Timeline
Bells Departed
The bells were removed and transported to the Verdin Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, for full restoration.
Restoration
Restoration will reinforce the bell tower, modernize the ringing mechanisms, and conserve the tone and safety.
Addition
Four newly cast bronze bells will be added, expanding the range and resonance of the historic chime.
Completion
Once completed, the East Nashville bell tower will house 14 bells, ringing out again after more than a century of service.
Media & Coverage
Follow the story of the Russell Street bells, from news coverage to milestone moments in the restoration process.
Visit our media page to explore even more articles, photos, and key moments along the way.
Donate Now & Restore The Bells
We need to raise $400,000 to fully restore and expand the bell tower. Every dollar ensures that these bells ring out for the next 100 years.
Donate now to keep Nashville’s history alive and ringing!
About The Initiative
The “Restore The Bells” project is part of East End United Methodist Church’s larger “Rebirth on Russell” initiative, which aims to revitalize the historic Russell Street property as its new permanent home. Nearly six years after the March 2020 tornado destroyed the congregation’s Holly Street building, the church is breathing new life into its “mother church”, which has stood in East Nashville since 1893. While East End UMC is launching the campaign, this project is bigger than one congregation. It belongs to the people of East Nashville and to everyone who values the preservation of its history, culture, and music.
For more information, email: [email protected]
Restore The Bells
Bring back the sound that defined East Nashville’s history. Help restore the rare 1897 Tennessee Centennial Exposition bells and return them to their rightful place in the Russell Street bell tower.