Museum

Tour the Only Traditional Bellfoundry in the United States and learn about the art, history, and science of making bells!

 

B.A. Sunderlin Bellfoundry was created to provide quality bronze bells in the United States. No other foundry in the country casts bells using the swept-loam method, which provides exquisite surface detail, improves concentricity, and allows the metal to cool more slowly, producing a better casting. In addition to bells, we are also a full-service, non-ferrous foundry. We can cast virtually any alloy using sand-molding techniques, as well as lost-wax casting.

Guided tours of the gallery space and foundry introduce guests to the field of campanology – the study of bells – as well as bronze casting and the daily workings of an active foundry. Tours begin in the gallery space where guests will hear the B.A. Sunderlin Bellfoundry story and learn more about the processes used to cast bells, how bells are tuned, the different contexts in which we find bells, and the different jobs foundries can do. Guests then tour the foundry itself to see firsthand bells being molded, hardware and consoles being made, and maybe even witness the casting of a bell.

Guided tours of the gallery and foundry are available by appointment only. The gift shop is open to visitors Monday through Friday from 10 am to 5 pm, excluding national holidays. Walk-ins are welcome, but please note that tours take place on the hour and last approximately 45 minutes to an hour and we cap tours at twenty people (unless specially arranged in advance). Tours with a pour last approximately 90 minutes to two hours. People or groups that wish to see a pour need to schedule their tour at least a month in advance.  

 

Tour groups are not guaranteed to see a pour unless they request this experience in advance.

For questions or to schedule a tour, email Kate Sunderlin at kate@sunderlinfoundry.com or call her at 804.822.0800.

 

B.A. Sunderlin Bellfoundry Rules and Guidelines

The B.A. Sunderlin Bellfoundry welcomes you to our shop! We are happy you have chosen to visit us and we hope you enjoy your tour. As we are an active foundry, there are sharp objects, heavy machinery, and other potentially hazardous items housed in the shop. Thus, the following rules and guidelines have been written with the safety of our visitors in mind and visitors are expected to abide by them for their own safety and that of others.


By entering, visitors will be deemed to have accepted and be bound by the following rules and guidelines:

  1. Visitors must stay with their tour groups at all times.
  2. All children under the age of eighteen must be supervised by a parent or chaperone at all times. 
  3. Visitors are encouraged to look closely, but may not touch objects in the shop. Touching is expressly prohibited unless overseen by the tour guide (with the exception of items labeled “Please Touch”).
  4. Smoking during a tour is not allowed, even when in outdoor areas. 
  5. Please silence all cell phones during the tour.
  6. Visitors must wear closed-toe shoes and are encouraged to wear cotton clothing, especially when viewing a pour.
  7. Please check large bags, backpacks, bulging totes, coats, or bulky items when checking in for your tour. 
  8. Be mindful of your surroundings. Watch your step and keep up with your tour guide.
  9. Running or any other unruly behavior is strictly prohibited on site.
  10. B.A. Sunderlin Bellfoundry reserves the right to immediately evict from the premises any visitor exhibiting disruptive, disrespectful, or unruly behavior. 
  11. Visitors are allowed to take photographs and video. However, such material may only be used for private purposes. The commercial use and sale of said material (or parts thereof) in any way is expressly prohibited. 
  12. B.A. Sunderlin Bellfoundry may photograph or film any visitor for any purpose, without prior approval or compensation, as permitted under applicable law, provided, however that any visitor who objects to such usage is requested to promptly notify the tour guide.
  13. Visitors are liable to B.A. Sunderlin Bellfoundry for any damages, which result from negligence of these regulations or any other negligent behavior on their behalf or by the children for whom they are responsible.
  14. B.A. Sunderlin Bellfoundry is not responsible for any damages to the visitor as a result of not adhering to these rules and regulations.
  15. Visitors who refuse to sign a liability waiver will not be allowed to tour the premises.