The History-

Thomas Rees was the publisher of the State Journal Register from 1881 until his death in 1933. During the period between 1910 and 1920, he and his wife traveled extensively. It was while visiting in the low countries of Belgium and Holland that he developed an intense interest in the carillon as a musical instrument and the art of playing bell music. This interest was revealed in his bequest to the Springfield Park District of a trust fund of $200,000 for the construction and maintenance of a carillon and tower. The completed instrument was dedicated in June, 1962.