In 1976 to celebrate the US's bicentennial, the US Congress was gifted a set of ten change ringing bells by the private Ditchley Foundation of Great Britain as a symbol of the great friendship forged by the two nations. The bells found a permanent home at the Old Post Office clock tower in April 1983 where they still are housed.
The Congress Bells are replicas of those found in Londom’s Westminster Abbey and range in weight from 581 to 2,953 pounds. The bells are in the key of D major.
Change ringing is an event that the whole family can enjoy. It involves continuously changing the order in which the bells strike. The method of producing these changes is precise and requires extensive training, practice and concentration. The Washington Ringing Society has members of all ages and all occupations.
A full peal is a continuous performance that takes up to three and a half hours to complete and is rung in honor of the opening and closing of Congress and on state occasions, including all national holidays.
The Washington Ringing Society sounds them on special occasions as well as Thursday evenings. The National Park Service offers free daily tours of the Clock Tower. For more information, call 202-606-8691.
