Simon Goodman Memorial Carillon
The College has a true treasure in the 60-year old Simon Goodman Memorial Carillon, which is set on the location of the former College Observatory just east of College Hall. The bells and keyboard, which were part of the Vatican Pavilion at the Brussels World's Fair, were given to WC by Bessie Goodman, widow of former Wilmington businessman Simon Goodman. The College built the 60-foot tower that houses the 35 bells, which weigh 6,500 pounds and range in weight from 20 to 1,100 pounds. The bells were cast by a 300-year-old firm, Petit and Fristen, located in Aarle-Rextel, Netherlands. It was dedicated Sept. 18, 1960. In the 2010s, the Carillon became automated to chime every 15 minutes and play familiar songs at the noon hour.
