Charles S. Hill Memorial Carillon

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The 72-foot Olinger Tower contains the Charles S. Hill Memorial Carillon, one of only two authentic carillons in Colorado. It was donated by Mrs. Virginia S. Hill in memory of her husband.

Its thirty bells were cast by the Royal van Bergen Bellfoundries, Heiligerlee, Netherlands. The thirty bells weigh 4,754 pounds. The largest bell is three feet in diameter and weighs 924 pounds. The smallest bell is eight inches in diameter, weighing 18 pounds. Delicate in tone, the instrument is played manually with fists and feet from the clavier which is located at the top of the tower.

The installation of the bells was unique in that the bells were placed in the lantern while it was on the ground and then the entire crown was lifted into place at the top of the tower. The crown-like lantern was designed by Stanley Morse and made by William G. Zimmerman. All of the bells may be seen from the ground.

The beautiful and historic Carillon sits on the far west side of the Johnson & Wales University Denver Campus.