Starting Monday, the bells at Minneapolis City Hall will stop ringing as workers reinforce the bell support system.
The work will last about three weeks, which should bring them back in time for Christmas Day.
The support system, which is as old as the building, holds the tower's 15-bell set. The bells vary in weight from 300 to 7,300 pounds. Renovations will focus on supports for the largest bell, where the steel plate between the bell and supporting timber has deteriorated, according to the city.
The Municipal Building Commission Historic Preservation Fund will pay for the $130,000 project.
The commission has served as the steward for City Hall since 1904. Free tours are available the third Wednesday of every month at noon.
Workers from DG Welding and Versacon began reinforcing the support system that holds up the fifteen bells inside the tower at Minneapolis City Hall. The bells weigh between 300 and 7,000 pounds each. ] Shari L. Gross � shari.gross@startribune.com The bells at the Minneapolis City Hall/Hennepin County Courthouse will stop ringing so crews can reinforce the bell support system. The work will last approximately three weeks. (Jenni Pinkley — Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Tony Hill wore a headset to protect his ears as he walked among the big bells at the top of Minneapolis City Hall in 2004. Joey McLeister/Star Tribune Minneapolis (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Ringing the Minneapolis City Hall bells on holidays has changed since the early 1900s when they were operated by oak hand and foot levers. The bells are now played from an electric keyboard. November 27, 1974 Mike Zerby, Minneapolis Star Tribune (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
![Workers from DG Welding and Versacon began reinforcing the support system that holds up the fifteen bells inside the tower at Minneapolis City Hall. The bells weigh between 300 and 7,000 pounds each. ] Shari L. Gross � shari.gross@startribune.com The bells at the Minneapolis City Hall/Hennepin County Courthouse will stop ringing so crews can reinforce the bell support system. The work will last approximately three weeks.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/ASHQWBUH6H72SDWHQ6TCEEXVEY.jpg?&w=1080)
