HISTORY
The Campanile was opened and dedicated in December of 1913, alongside City Hall and Symphony Hall, the three of which make up the Munipical Group of prominent civic buildings. The 1913 dedication featured a speech by former U.S. President William Taft on municipal government.
The Campinile is 275 feet tall, featuring an Italianate architectural style, befitting as "campanile" means "bell tower" in Italian, and the tall, slim, standalone bell tower structure was first used in Italy in the 6th century.
Springfield's Campanile features a terra cotta cupola, limestone facade, carillon of twelve bronze bells, and four clock faces, each measuring 14 feet in diameter.
The Campinile is one of Springfield's most visible and popular landmarks—an icon in the Springfield skyline.
THREAT
The Campanile has faced issues of deterioration for more than 35 years. Key issues include:
- Degradation of the terra cotta cupola
- Broken and corroded limestone, including spalls, hairline cracks, and poor corners
- Rusting of its underlying steel frame
- Loose and aged clock components
- Inoperable cast bell chime and damaged bell support frame, strikers and controls
- Rot and failed paint on the wooden windows
Given the historical, architectural, and cultural significance of the Campanile and its connection to the City's identity, it is essential that this landmark be restored urgently. As time goes on, deterioration issues compound and restoration costs rise. If not now, when?
ReSTORATION EFFORTS
The Campanile has been closed to the public for nearly 40 years, with the clock and bells dysfunctional for that time.
In 2008, the City of Springfield installed steel reinforced fiberglass mesh around three corners of the Campanile to reduce public safety hazards of falling stonework.
In 2013, the estimated repair cost was $13 million.
In 2014, Mayor Domenic Sarno appointed a blue ribbon committee to raise $20 million to restore the Campanile. The current state of the fund and fundraising effort are unknown.
In 2018, reinforced mesh was also installed on the fourth corner of the tower, as well as laterally alongside key structural points.
The City of Springfield Office of Management and Budget was awarded a $250,000 Community Preservation Act grant in 2018 to conduct a stabilization study of the Campanile. Earlier that year, Mayor Sarno had also directed CFO TJ Plante to allocate $200,000 to initiate the design for the extensive renovation.
The investigative phase report was completed in November 2019 by Bruner|Cott Architects, in association with eight specialized consultants, providing a thorough accounting of existing conditions and repair needs.
At that time, it was estimated that repairs noted in the report would cost $25 million.
The restoration plan also includes replacing the existing elevator and creating a display room and educational exhibit for the clock.
More recently, in 2021, it was reported that restoration is more likely to cost $30 million.
As of 2025, the City of Springfield has no active plans for the Campanile's restoration.
