A chimesmaster jacket, donated by Paul Lyon ’64. (Sreang Hok / Cornell University) Cornelliana History of the Chimes Rings Out in Expanded McGraw Tower Museum Stories You May Like Crowning Glory: McGraw Tower’s Renovations Are Complete What Does It Take to Become a Big Red Chimesmaster? Why Being a Student Chimesmaster Put Me ‘At the Top of the World’ You'll learn about generations of bell-related memorabilia and Big Red traditions—you just have to hoof it up 100+ steps By Joe Wilensky The history of the iconic Cornell Chimes—captured in photos, sheet music, and artifacts—will once again be on display in a newly expanded and renovated museum in McGraw Tower. Located on the sixth floor, the exhibits are just a few levels below the playing stand where student chimesmasters perform their daily concerts. The museum plans to hold an official grand reopening during Homecoming Weekend in mid-October, after which a regular access schedule will be announced—but Cornellians got a sneak peek! A previous incarnation of the museum was limited to a set of informational placards; the building’s recent renovation and roof replacement (as well as water damage to the previous displays caused by a leak) provided an opportunity to reimagine the space. Rare and Manuscript CollectionsThe museum resides in former book storage space, as seen in the original schematics. “The Chimes are so much more than a set of bells,” says Karli Buday, director of campus activities. “They are a living tradition, a connection between class years, a symbol of campus pride, and the heartbeat of Cornell.” In addition to worn wooden playing levers and retired clock hands—including a set that chronicled the time from the 1970s through the ’90s—the museum now features some never-before-shown artifacts, many donated by alumni and others discovered in storage spaces. The Chimes are so much more than a set of bells. They are a living tradition, a connection between class years, a symbol of campus pride, and the heartbeat of Cornell. Karli Buday, director of campus activities Visitors can get an up-close look at a retired E-flat bell originally cast in 1939; an early LP album that includes Chimes music; vintage photos of generations of chimesmasters, previous playing stands, and the tower itself; sheet music arranged for the Chimes; and even a 1916 invoice for $125 for recasting a 500-pound bell. One of the oldest exhibits is the 1869 governing document outlining the care, operation, and stewardship of the bells, approved by Ezra Cornell himself. Ringing in the Years: A Museum Mini-Tour (Story continues below.) Exhibits include an image of the original playing stand. Photos, sheet music, and more tell Chimes history, within former library shelving. Stories You May Like Crowning Glory: McGraw Tower’s Renovations Are Complete What Does It Take to Become a Big Red Chimesmaster? Chimesmasters inspect a 1939 delivery of new bells. Artifacts include retired playing stand levers. Robert Feldman ’66, PhD ’75, was advisor to the Chimes during a late-1990s refurbishment. (The nine original bells were played on a stand on the University’s opening day; they were housed in McGraw Hall until the 1891 completion of the tower, which has been home to the Chimes—now 21 bells strong—ever since.) A more whimsical item is a large cartoon hand, its pointer finger extended, made of weathered cardboard. It was once part of a pair affixed to the hands on one of the clocks in 1969, briefly giving it the look of an oversized Mickey Mouse wristwatch. One of the oldest exhibits is the 1869 governing document outlining the care, operation, and stewardship of the bells, approved by Ezra Cornell himself. An accompanying photo depicts the prank, which was reportedly carried out by a fraternity pledge. The exhibits themselves are mounted within the original built-in bookshelves that, until Olin opened in 1960, held the Library’s overflow materials and some University records. Displayed alongside one of the stacks is a handcrafted wooden ladder that staff used to reach materials on the uppermost shelves. Joe Wilensky / Cornell University Joe Wilensky / Cornell University Once upon a time, a prankster turned a tower clock into a Mickey Mouse watch. “The Chimes are Cornell’s oldest tradition, and they’re one of the few things that connects every generation of Cornellians,” says Big Red history expert Corey Ryan Earle ’07. He stresses that every student and alum should make at least one trip to the top of the tower to attend a concert and take in the view. “The Chimes Museum,” he says, “gives visitors a chance to learn along the way.” Top: A chimesmaster jacket, donated by Paul Lyon ’64. (All photos by Sreang Hok / Cornell University, unless otherwise indicated.) Posted September 3, 2026 Leave a Comment Cancel replyOnce your comment is approved, your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment * Name * Class Year Email * Save my name, email, and class year in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ Other stories You may like Bear Hugs For This Alumni Couple, Acts of Kindness Are the Best Holiday Décor Alumni Alum Still Lives in the House Frank Lloyd Wright Designed for Him Campus & Beyond ‘Upside-Down Rhinos’ Study Is Latest Big Red Research to Win an Ig Nobel