The Washington Peace Carillon

"The Washington Peace Carillon" by James Marion Shull is a book from the aftermath of World War I that champions the construction of a carillon composed of peace bells. This carillon is intended to memorialize the war and encourage harmony, mostly between the United States and other allied nations, after a terrible struggle. The central theme is to convert the metal from captured enemy weapons into melodious bells, symbolizing the success of peace over war. Shull imagines a large memorial in Washington, D.C., that includes a bell tower with around fifty bells created from repurposed metal from artillery. The story describes the technical details and costs of the project, highlighting the important role of bells in culture for celebrations, mourning, and remembrance. Shull also suggests the Carillon could serve as a symbol of hope.