The board of directors of the Bell Tower Community Foundation and the Greene County Board of Supervisors say the tower will officially re-open on Wednesday, June 10, in time for the “Chews Jefferson “promotion by Main Street Jefferson that day. A live 15-minute bell concert featuring Mahanay Maestro Wendy Vanderlinden will occur at 12:15 p.m. and visitors are encouraged to get a take-out meal from any Jefferson restaurant and observe social distancing at seating on the plaza and enjoy listening. The tower will be open its regular summer hours, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through September. Live Tower Tunes concerts will be held each Wednesday at 12:15 p.m. Any changes will be announced on the tower’s Facebook page and its website: mahanaybelltower.org
Tour director Pat Richards and the tower staff will be wearing face coverings and ask the public to do so as well. Disposable face coverings will be provided at the tower for visitors who may not have them already. Social distancing will also be observed in the tower atrium, in the elevator and on the Nally observation deck. Hand sanitizer will be available and tower staff will sanitize popular areas after individuals and groups of visitors complete their tours of the tower. Carole Custer, president of the board, said, “The health of both the staff and visitors is of primary importance and we hope that visitors will observe these requirements. “
Richards said she has received many calls about when the tower will open so “we are anxiously looking forward to showing off our tower and the bells this season. “