American Bell Association® (ABA)

We are a network of bell collectors, enthusiasts, researchers, bell ringers, carillonneurs, artisans, manufacturers, technicians and dealers. Learn more about bells and connect with hundreds of members of the ABA.

Things ABA members collect and research:

  • A bell with a clapper that makes a sound, made of any material, including such things as volcanic ash, or wood, or beads, etc. etc.
  • Any size bell, from tiny jewelry to the largest church bell. (The carillon people generally “collect” by doing research, visiting, playing, etc, but we have some members with large collections of locomotive bells or other large bells.)
  • Bells an animal would wear.
  • Bells or chimes that sound when the wind blows.
  • Bells that a mechanism makes ring (bell pushes, servant bells).
  • Toys with a bell attached.
  • Looks like a bell but makes no sound (e.g. smoke bells).
  • Doesn’t look like a bell but does sound like a bell (e.g. Chinese baoding balls or Russian roly-poly dolls.)
  • It can be new, old or ancient

 

Member Directory updated  June, 2025

2025 Annual reports from Officers, Appointees and Committees are now in the Members Area

Bell Tower Magazine has been given it’s own Menu Item and articles are listed separately underneath it.  There are now 6 new Bell Tower articlesBell Pushes, the Making of Wedgewood Bells, Call Bells, Mechanical Bells, Baby Rattles and French Faience Bells.  There are beautiful bells to see and a lot of information to learn.

2025 Convention Information –  It’s not too late to register!!

See the bottom of this page for Judi’s Torah Bells.

There is an ABA Members Area.  We are considering how to utilize it. We are learning.  You will still find an ABA Business Forum with Members Directory, Bylaws, Job Descriptions and more. There is also an area for Chapter and Member News.

 

ABA Fundraiser – Shop with Scrip

You buy a gift card and ABA earns money.    You get the full value of the gift card

ABA earned over $500 last year

Click here for more information

American Bell - Bell Tower 2024

The Bell Tower is our full color magazine published 6 times a year.  It has educational articles and pictures about bells, news of events, news about chapters and members.  It’s a magazine worth having!

Click here to See and Learn More

 

Silver Table Bells

The American Bell Association was organized for educational and scientific purposes related to the collection, study, research, preservation, and restoration of all kinds of bells. We are a non-profit organization with hundreds of members located in the United States and other countries.

Click here to Join and Learn More

 2025 Convention

Cincinnati, OH / Covington, KY

June 22 to June 27, 2025

Radisson Hotel Cincinnati Riverfront

668 W. 5th Street

Covington, KY 41011

Learn more by clicking here

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MEMBER BELLS

Some of our members have shared a favorite bell or two. We would enjoy sharing one that you have. 

Send a picture (or two) and a short description to the Website Coordinator.

Torah Bells

 

 

 

Judi sent us a picture of her Torah bells that a friend gave her after a trip to Israel in the late ‘70’s.

Torah bells are often used to show devotion and respect for the Torah and to beautify the Torah scroll itself.

They are made of silver with four engravings depicting scenes in Jerusalem and have gold bells hanging from them with a Star of David on the very top.  They are hollow at the bottom which then can be placed over the top part of the wooden Torah handles.  They serve as works of Jewish art.

“ABA on the national/international and chapter levels would resonate with everyone.  Since my first meeting years ago I have been greatly blessed in so many ways, but most importantly by the wonderful people  whom I have met and the special friendships that I treasure.”

Nancy (Pittsburgh)