Bok Tower Gardens
Where can you find “The Singing Tower”? Do you know the state? Then can you name the place?
Here’s a quick overview of this unique place.
Central Florida has an interesting place called “The Singing Tower.” Located in Lake Wales, Florida, this architectural masterpiece is the focal point to Bok Tower Gardens, a National Historic Landmark. Distinctive to the area, its unique architecture rises to a height of 205 ft. These two sites, the Singing Tower and the Bok Tower Gardens, are both part of the life and legacy of Edward Bok.
Edward Bok
Edward Bok was a man who came to America from the Netherlands with his family at the young age of 6. He became a successful publisher and Pulitzer-Prize winning author with his hard work and determination. Edward became the editor of the Ladies Home Journal in 1889 which was the first magazine in the World to reach a million readers. Edward’s early childhood years in the Netherlands, started his interest in music and in bell towers. That led to his desire to build a musical tower which houses 60 bells.
The Bok Tower Gardens were created
Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. was one of the most distinguished landscape architects of the time. His father was the father of landscape architecture. Together they worked on the Biltmore Estate and between the two of them, landscaped many of the landmarks in DC including the White House, the Jefferson Memorial and the U.S Capitol Grounds. Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. received the AIA Gold Medal in 1929 in recognition for his lasting influence on the theory and practice of architecture.
The gardens are populated by 126 different species of birds, the gopher tortoise (threatened) and the eastern indigo snake (endangered). A small observatory named “window by the pond” allows a place for visitors to watch birds, reptiles, butterflies and native species. Many of the plant species cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
The Bell Tower
A mix of neo-Gothic and art deco features are used in the design of the tower. The designer was Milton Medary, an architect from Philadelphia. Coquina Stone from St. Augustine, Florida and marble from Tate, Georgia were used for the crafting. Sculptural elements of the tower exhibit Florida flora and fauna. References to Aesop’s Fables can be found as well. The tower was set in place on Oct 26th 1928. Calvin Coolidge was present for the dedication.
Taking only 2 years from design to completion, the bell tower still remains an architectural wonder. A pond in front of the bell tower enables viewers to see the bell tower’s reflection in the water. A sundial hangs on the opposite side of the tower. The dial is tilted slightly in order to align to true north. The large teakwood door, overlaid with brass opens into the Founder’s Room. The elevator goes up 7 floors with the top floor being the location of the Carillon.
The interior of the bell tower is an awesome sight. The tile floor exhibits Egyptian design with a star in the center. Up the elevator on one level, the landscape can be viewed from a 360 degree perspective. Beautiful! Ascending up to the top level, we viewed the magnificent bells which hung from the tower ceiling. Inside the chamber, the playing room houses a keyboard that is used to play the bells. Tolling began at 3pm with the familiar tune of America the Beautiful.
There’s a library of tunes for the carillon (the musical instrument of the bell tower)…. This collection of carillon music is unmatched in the world. So you may hear a variety of tunes from the bell tower throughout the year. We felt a unique sense of admiration for the man who embraced the vision for this special tower called The Singing Tower.
The interior of the Tower is open to Garden members during events.
Edward Bok was a visionary. His ability to see the potential of the gardens and the tower as a landmark to Florida and to America was remarkable. Its treasures like this one that make America what it is today.
You’ll enjoy visiting The Bok Gardens and seeing the architectural details of the Singing Tower. There are important trivia facts to remember from this place.
The owner was Edward Bok, former editor of Ladies Home Journal.
The gardens protect endangered plant species unique to the world.
The bell tower holds 60 bells which play music from the largest carillon collection in the world.
If you remember these facts, you’ll not only impress the people around you but you’ll enjoy knowing something special about central Florida.
David Price, President of Bok Tower Gardens, provided an amazing tour. His extensive knowledge of the tower and the gardens captured the passion that Edwin Bok must have had for his beloved gardens.
OTHER little known facts:
The tower has 211 stairs to the Bell Chamber.
Edwin Bok is buried at the base of the tower.
Blue Baboons are a part of the symbolic elements in the design of the tower. No specific information is known on their meaning in the design.
There’s more to discover about the Bok Singing Tower. Enjoy the discovery!
