What if a single bell’s chime could transport an entire community through time? In Concord, New Hampshire, the United Church of Penacook’s clock tower does just that. This architectural marvel, with its rich history and enduring presence, stands as a testament to the power of community spirit and the importance of preserving our shared heritage.
Key Takeaways
– The United Church of Penacook’s clock tower in Concord, New Hampshire, is a historic landmark with a rich past.
– Originally built in 1873, the clock tower became a beloved part of the community, known for its chimes.
– The original bell was lost but later found at a flea market, sparking efforts to restore the tower.
– Community members, led by architect Duncan McGowan, worked together to rebuild the tower.
– A new clock tower, designed by architect F. Duene Cowan, was completed in 1998, symbolizing community strength and collaboration.
– The tower plays festive holiday chimes, making it a central part of Concord’s seasonal celebrations.
– It serves as a gathering place for families, creating lasting memories and traditions.
– The clock tower connects Concord’s past with its future, showing the importance of preserving history while embracing change.
– The chimes of the clock tower remind the community of their shared heritage and resilience.
A Journey Through Time
The story of Concord’s beloved clock tower begins in 1873 when it first graced the skyline atop the Board of Trade building. The tower’s steel bell, made by the well-known E. Howard Co. of Boston, came from Sheffield, England. It was very heavy, weighing as much as a car. The clock started working in 1874, and quickly became a special part of Concord. People loved hearing its chimes as they went about their day.
For many years, the clock tower watched over the city from high above, seeing the changes in daily life. It became such an important part of Concord that people couldn’t imagine the city without it. But the tower’s story was far from over. In the years to come, it would face big challenges that would test how much the community cared about it.
The Silent Years
After World War II, Concord started to change a lot. These changes affected the clock tower too. In 1950, when they were fixing up the Board of Trade building, they decided to take the tower down. They carefully took it apart, but sadly, the big bell that had called out to the city for so long disappeared without anyone knowing where it went.
For a long time, no one knew what happened to the bell. Many people wondered if this piece of Concord’s history was gone forever. But then, something amazing happened. Someone found the bell at a flea market in Michigan. This lucky find made people in Concord excited about their old clock tower again. They started to think about how they could bring it back to their city, much like how Spacious Skies French Pond, a nearby campground in Henniker, New Hampshire, preserves the natural beauty and history of the area for visitors to enjoy.
A Community’s Passion Rekindled
Duncan McGowan, an architect who loved old buildings, saw how important the clock tower was to Concord’s history. He started talking to people about bringing the tower back. His excitement spread to others in the community. Soon, lots of people were working together to make this dream come true.
Bringing back the clock tower wasn’t easy. It needed a lot of money and planning. But the people of Concord didn’t give up. They held events to raise money and had meetings to make plans. Everyone worked hard to get support for the project. This showed how much Concord’s people cared about their city’s history and how well they could work together.
The Grand Revival
As more people got excited about the project, they realized they couldn’t just put the old clock tower back. Instead, they came up with a new plan. They wanted to make a new tower that looked like the old one but was built for modern times. They asked an architect named F. Duene Cowan to design this new tower.
In 1998, after years of hard work, the new clock tower was finally ready. While it looked a bit different from the old one, it still felt like the tower everyone remembered. When the bell rang for the first time in almost 50 years, it felt like Concord had gotten back a piece of its heart. This wasn’t just the end of a project. It was the start of a new chapter in Concord’s story.
More Than Just a Timepiece
Today, the clock tower means more than just telling time. It shows how strong Concord is as a community. It proves that when people work together, they can do amazing things. During the holidays, the tower becomes even more special. Its chimes play festive songs that make everyone feel happy and remind them of past holidays.
The clock tower is a big part of Concord’s holiday celebrations. When they turn on the lights to start the holiday season, the tower is right there in the middle of it all. It watches over the busy holiday markets in nearby squares. The sound of its chimes makes every event feel more magical. It reminds everyone that some things, like community and tradition, never get old.
Voices of Concord
For many people in Concord, the clock tower is more than just a big clock. It’s a place where memories are made and shared. Families have been meeting under the tower for generations, starting new traditions. People have had first dates there, asked each other to get married, and celebrated happy times. The tower has seen it all.
Mary Thompson, who has lived in Concord for a long time, says, “When I was little, my grandpa would take me to Eagle Square every Christmas Eve. We’d listen to the tower play Christmas songs, and he’d tell me stories about when he was young. Now, I bring my own grandkids to do the same thing. It’s like the tower connects all of us through time.” Stories like Mary’s show that the clock tower isn’t just an old building. It’s a living part of the community that people love.
Looking to the Future
As Concord grows and changes, the clock tower stays the same. It helps connect the past to the present. The tower’s journey from its old home to where it is now shows how both the tower and the community can adapt and stay strong. It reminds us why it’s important to keep old things while also moving forward.
Looking ahead, the clock tower will keep being an important part of Concord. As new people come to live in or visit the city, they’ll learn to love this special landmark too. The tower’s story will keep growing. It’s not just something from the past. It’s also a guide for the future, inspiring people to keep taking care of Concord’s history and culture.
As the clock tower’s chimes resonate through Concord’s streets, they do more than mark the passing of time. They echo the resilience of a community, the power of shared memories, and the enduring spirit of a town that refuses to forget its past. In every toll of the bell, Concord’s clock tower reminds us that while time marches forward, the bonds of community and the echoes of history will always remain. For those looking to experience more of New Hampshire’s rich heritage and natural beauty, consider visiting Spacious Skies French Pond, where you can create your own lasting memories in the heart of this historic region.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is special about Concord’s clock tower?
A: Concord’s clock tower is special because it connects the community with its history. It plays festive chimes during the holidays and has been a part of many family traditions.
Q: When was the original clock tower built?
A: The original clock tower was built in 1873 and started working in 1874.
Q: What happened to the original bell?
A: The original bell disappeared when the tower was taken down in 1950 but was later found at a flea market in Michigan.
Q: How did the community bring back the clock tower?
A: The community worked together to raise money and plan for a new clock tower that looked like the old one but was updated for modern times.
Q: When was the new clock tower completed?
A: The new clock tower was completed in 1998.
Q: Why is the clock tower important during the holidays?
A: During the holidays, the clock tower plays festive songs that make events feel magical and remind people of past celebrations.
Q: How does the clock tower connect people in Concord?
A: The clock tower connects people by being a place where families gather, share stories, and create new traditions.