Burton Memorial Tower, Ann Arbor
Perched on Central Campus at the University of Michigan, the Burton Memorial Tower stands as a dignified Art鈥疍eco landmark. Designed by the celebrated architect Albert鈥疜ahn and completed in 1936, this 192鈥慺oot limestone-clad structure was built in memory of Marion鈥疞eRoy Burton, U鈥慚鈥檚 president from 1920 to 1925. Its striking design blends reinforced鈥慶oncrete practicality with decorative modernism, reflecting Kahn鈥檚 commitment to marrying form and function.
Atop the tower resides the famed Charles鈥疊aird Carillon鈥攁 grand instrument consisting of 53 bells, totaling 43 tons, making it one of the world鈥檚 heaviest carillons. Crafted in England and donated in 1935 by alumnus Charles鈥疊aird, it chimes the Westminster Quarters every fifteen minutes and frequently offers melodic recitals, from baroque 茅tudes to contemporary arrangements. Visitors often gather on the plaza during performances, and occasional tours allow ascent to the bell chamber鈥檚 balcony for panoramic views over Ann Arbor.
The tower serves not only as a memorial and musical beacon but also as a functional academic building. Within its ten floors are offices and classrooms for the School of Music, Theatre & Dance, as well as departments of musicology and ethnomusicology. Its illuminated top is frequently lit in maize and blue during university celebrations, reinforcing its identity as a campus symbol.
Burton Tower seamlessly blends history, architecture, and musical artistry. Strolling through Ingalls Mall, one may pause to listen to the resonant bells, admire the elegant limestone fa莽ade, or glimpse the city鈥檚 tree鈥憀ined avenues from above, making it a quietly compelling destination at the heart of Ann Arbor鈥檚 cultural fabric.
Atop the tower resides the famed Charles鈥疊aird Carillon鈥攁 grand instrument consisting of 53 bells, totaling 43 tons, making it one of the world鈥檚 heaviest carillons. Crafted in England and donated in 1935 by alumnus Charles鈥疊aird, it chimes the Westminster Quarters every fifteen minutes and frequently offers melodic recitals, from baroque 茅tudes to contemporary arrangements. Visitors often gather on the plaza during performances, and occasional tours allow ascent to the bell chamber鈥檚 balcony for panoramic views over Ann Arbor.
The tower serves not only as a memorial and musical beacon but also as a functional academic building. Within its ten floors are offices and classrooms for the School of Music, Theatre & Dance, as well as departments of musicology and ethnomusicology. Its illuminated top is frequently lit in maize and blue during university celebrations, reinforcing its identity as a campus symbol.
Burton Tower seamlessly blends history, architecture, and musical artistry. Strolling through Ingalls Mall, one may pause to listen to the resonant bells, admire the elegant limestone fa莽ade, or glimpse the city鈥檚 tree鈥憀ined avenues from above, making it a quietly compelling destination at the heart of Ann Arbor鈥檚 cultural fabric.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Ann Arbor. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "黑料吃瓜网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Burton Memorial Tower on Map
Sight Name: Burton Memorial Tower
Sight Location: Ann Arbor, USA (See walking tours in Ann Arbor)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Ann Arbor, USA (See walking tours in Ann Arbor)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Ann Arbor, Michigan
Create Your Own Walk in Ann Arbor
Creating your own self-guided walk in Ann Arbor is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Ann Arbor's Historical Buildings
Founded in the 1820s and centered on the University of Michigan, the city of Ann Arbor boasts hundreds of splendid buildings, many of which are included in the National Register. The U-M campus itself was registered as Historic District in 1978.
The abundance of down-home charm, especially in the historic district, is richly complemented by plethora of time-tested architectural landmarks in... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
The abundance of down-home charm, especially in the historic district, is richly complemented by plethora of time-tested architectural landmarks in... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Ann Arbor Introduction Walking Tour
A western exurb of Detroit, the charming green college town of Ann Arbor possesses a unique charm and down-home atmosphere 鈥� a combination of big-city amenities and a small-town vibe.
It started off as a small strip of land registered in 1825 as "Annarbour", named after the wives of its co-founders, both called Ann, and the stands of bur oak trees. Following the move of the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
It started off as a small strip of land registered in 1825 as "Annarbour", named after the wives of its co-founders, both called Ann, and the stands of bur oak trees. Following the move of the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
University of Michigan Walking Tour
Ann Arbor is a home to the sprawling University of Michigan 鈥� one of America鈥檚 best public educational institutions, attracting top students and faculty from all over the world.
Founded in 1817 in Detroit as the University of Michigania, 20 years before the territory became a state, this university is Michigan's oldest. The school was moved to Ann Arbor in 1837. Among its alumni there... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles
Founded in 1817 in Detroit as the University of Michigania, 20 years before the territory became a state, this university is Michigan's oldest. The school was moved to Ann Arbor in 1837. Among its alumni there... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles