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Ring the Dreamland Bell for a Buck

Just two days after diver Gene Ritter recovered it from the ocean floor, the Dreamland bell that sunk during the iron pier fire of 1911, was being rung again. Temporarily displayed at the Coney Island History Project, where it will remain through September 13th, you can pay $1 to give it a ring yourself—and it still sounds good after nearly a century underwater! They explain that "a hose system was set up to keep the bell constantly wet since it has been underwater for 98 years." Also on display are old images of the bell as well as other artifacts Ritter has recovered, including bottles, china and lamps. See more images here.

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  • CI History Project

    The bell has a magnificent tone! Will be uploading pix from today's bell ringing very shortly. Yes, the $1 is a donation and proceeds are shared by Gene Ritter for the Bell's preservation and the Coney History Project's preservation and education programs in Coney Island.

    The History Project's seasonal exhibition center under the Cyclone is free and open to the public. Sept 12-13 will be our last weekend of the season. If you plan on visiting Coney Island next weekend or any other day of the year, please download our FREE audio/video tour to your iPod or listen on your iPhone. The free download is available from our website @ http://www.coneyislandhistory.org/index.php?g=tours

  • movi

    Are the proceeds (of the $1 bell-ringing) going to the Coney Island History Project and/or toward the bell's preservation?

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