​​Following a multi-year tower restoration, the Naperville Millennium Carillon reopened for concerts and tours this summer. The bells were cast by the Royal Eijsbouts Bell Foundry in The Netherlands and range in weight from ten pounds to nearly six tons with a combined weight of 32.5 tons. The 5.8-ton Captain Joseph Naper Bell, “Big Joe,” is the largest of the bells and strikes the hour daily. Of the approximate 600 carillons worldwide, Naperville’s is the fourth largest in North America.

The Millennium Carillon project began in late 1997 with a goal to create a permanent, interactive commemoration of the arrival of the Year 2000. Thanks to a generous $1 million gift from Harold and Margaret Moser, contributions from scores of bell sponsors, private and business donors, countless volunteer hours, and a $1.5 million line of credit from the City of Naperville, Phase I was dedicated in June 2000. In recognition of the Millennium Carillon project, Naperville was designated an official White House Millennium Community in November 1999. Supported by a $3.3 million grant from Naperville’s Special Events and Cultural Amenities (SECA) Fund, Moser Tower and the adjacent Visitor Center were opened to the public in July 2007. SECA grants are funded by the City’s food and beverage tax and help support many Naperville events and cultural projects.