The Brownell Memorial Carillon
Photo by Chris Watson
It is Louisiana in the early 1800's. Charles and Frances Pierson Brownell have moved into the Morgan City area, one of the pioneer families of that time. There they settled in to raise a family and established a prosperous lumber business. The family flourished and in the early 1950's entered the oil and gas business as well. This was a successful move for the Brownells, and their daughter, Claire Horatio Brownell, was grateful for the family's good fortune. In addition, Claire loved the seductive beauty of south Louisiana and the swamps around Morgan City.
After traveling abroad and cultivating a deep interest in carillons, Mrs. Brownell returned to Morgan City with the idea of commissioning the installation of a nature park complete with a 61-bell carillon as its centerpiece.
Mrs. Brownell's idea focused on preserving the beauty of the local swamps by creating a kind of meditation park, non-denominational and true to its wild origins, where people might go to find solitude and quietness as they communed with God. The park was designed to showcase the natural flora of the area, including palmettos, irises, cattails, ferns, cypress trees, Spanish moss, and many other native plants.
In addition, her newfound interest in carillons and bells inspired her to place a 103-foot carillon tower as the focal point of the park. This steel and concrete tower, a simple and elegant contrast to its surroundings, came to house a 61-bell world class carillon, among the finest of its kind. The carillon bells were cast by the Petit and Fritsen bell foundry in Holland, one of the premier bell foundries in the world. The bells range from 18 to 4,730 lbs., and represent five full chromatic octaves. All are embellished with a band of ivy vines around the crown, the largest bell holds a dedication from Mrs. Brownell to her parents, and each of the next 13 largest bells holds a portion of the Twenty-third Psalm.
In 1971, the 9.5 acre park was completed, and the bells rang out. Mr. Ronald Coleman, a pianist and self-taught carillonneur, played at Brownell from the park's opening until he became incapacitated by illness in the mid 1990's. Since then, this carillon has seen its share of hardship, including wind and water damage during severe storms, a mold infestation, and surviving Hurricane Katrina. However, recent cleaning, refurbishments on the roof, and painting of exterior of the tower have restored it to its former elegance. She stands today surrounded by the wild beauty of the swamps as a beautiful woman surrounded by suitors, ready to ring out again with the sweetest of music, celebrating her revival and luring listeners in with her siren call.
February in the park
Part of the inscription on the bourdon
Photo courtesy of Chris Watson
web link: http://www.chalstrom.com/brownellpark/
