Ever wonder how bells are made? Can bells fall out of tune? What is a campanologist? Discover the answers to these questions and more as bellmaker Benjamin Sunderlin leads guests on a discussion of the fascinating history and future of bells.
Meet your bellmaker.
Benjamin Sunderlin was born in Indiana and developed as a fine artist throughout his early years, earning numerous national grants, awards, fellowships, and was even featured in an Oscar-nominated documentary. At the Herron School of Art in Indianapolis, he discovered bronze foundry work.
While engaged in a travel and research grant to study traditional bellmaking in the United Kingdom, Benjamin learned many different aspects related to the bell industry, including: molding in swept-loam, casting practices, design, tuning, and the construction methodologies for frames and fittings.
Benjamin continued to research traditional bellmaking practices before graduating. During this period, Benjamin became active as a contractor in the United States bell industry. Further trips back to the United Kingdom as well as to France, Belgium, and as far away as Croatia, enabled Benjamin to learn different European methods for making bells traditionally. He then continued his education by enrolling in a master’s program at the University of Notre Dame, furthering his skills as a bellmaker and Campanologist.
Since graduating from Notre Dame, Benjamin has since established his own full-service bell foundry in Ruther Glen, VA, and remains the only bell foundry in the United States that continues to mold in swept loam. Here, Benjamin hopes to preserve the nearly lost craft of traditional bellmaking in the United States and to deliver a superior service in the bell industry to his country and the rest of the world.
Learn more about Benjamin and B. A. Sunderlin Bellfoundry on the foundry's website!
