The Verdin Company is a manufacturer of bronze bells, clocks and towers based in Cincinnati, Ohio in the United States. The company has been making, restoring, and repairing bells for use in bell and clock towers, peals, chimes, and carillons since 1842. The company also manufactures electronic carillons, street clocks, glockenspiels, and monuments. There is now an organ division serving churches and other institutions combining organ and bell music.

The Verdin Company is headquartered in an historic five-building church complex in the Over the Rhine neighborhood in Cincinnati. The complex and church were restored in 1983 and now include the Bell Event Centre.

History

The Verdin Company began in 1842 when brothers Francis de Sales and Michael Verdin installed the first tower clock in the United States at Old St. Mary's Church in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The Verdin Company has been a family business for over six generations. In 2001 they were known as the only mobile bell foundry in the world. Bob Verdin is currently the company's CEO.

Notable installations and inventions

Inventions

In 1927, the Verdin Company built the first electric bell ringer in America and replaced manually operated bells in the 1930s and 1940s with electrification.

Installations

The World Peace Bell in Newport, Kentucky, United States (33,285 kg / 73,381 lbs. with a width of 12 feet / 3.7 m); it was cast in 1999 under Verdin's direction by the Paccard Foundry near Annecy, France. Other notable installations include the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, the Smithsonian Institution, the Canadian Parliament Buildings and Walt Disney World Resort, and the 88 bronze bells cast for the Ohio Bicentennial.

Verdin Company also crafted a 24-inch brass bell for the Seaport Shrine in Boston.

See also

• Bellfounding and clock making