Friendship bell
The Friendship Bell of Celebration is a Japanese bronze bell hanging in a wooden belfry in the Hulsey Woods adjoining the Japanese Gardens at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. It was donated by the Osaka Central Rotary Club of Japan as part of the club's efforts to promote world peace, friendship, and understanding. The offer was made during the 100th anniversary of Rotary International in 2005, a year in which Shades Valley's Glenn Estess served as international president of the organization.
The Rotary Club of Shades Valley, which meets at the gardens, commissioned the construction of the wooden belfry to plans drawn by a member of the Osaka club. The Hulsey and Elmore families contributed to landscaping for the area. The bell was displayed on a temporary stand on October 9, 2005. The completed belfry was dedicated on April 7, 2008 by Japanese Consul General Shoji Ogawa.
On September 24, 2012 a Kasuga lantern was added to the installation in Estess' memory.
References
- Rodriguez, Ana (October 4, 2012) "Rotary Club of Shades Valley dedicates Botanical Gardens memorial to past president." The Birmingham News
External links
- Joint Project With Osaka Rotarians at shadesvalleyrotary.org
- Rotary Club of Shades Valley and Birmingham Botanical Gardens at bbgardens.org