Cici Bevin enjoys working in her family-owned business, which dates back to 1832 when her ancestors began what is Bevin Bells today.
“At one point in East Hampton, [Conn.,] we had over 20 bell manufacturers. Luckily, today we are the last one remaining,” Bevin says.
Of course, the use of bells back when the company began is much different than today.
Today, a cowbell might be a gift or a musical instrument, but back then, it was an essential part of raising livestock.
“There was a tremendous amount of safety use for bells, so sleigh bells were massive for us. We had catalogs, 20 pages long, of different cut styles and configurations of sleigh bells,” Bevin says.
Bells are still used today, though you probably never give much thought to who makes them.
“We make all of the bells for the Salvation Army across the country. Any time you see someone at a kettle ringing a bell asking for money that’s a Bevin Bell,” Bevin says.
Remember the sound that used to end stock trading in New York? Or signal another round at a Muhammad Ali boxing match? Those sounds are from Bevin Bells.
Of course there’s the famous bell from “Saturday Night Live,” which was a boost for business.
However, the most famous Bevin Bell is tied to “It’s a Wonderful Life,” a Christmas movie from 1946.
“The bell that rings on the tree when Clarence says, ‘Every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings,’ that’s a Bevin Bell. Exactly how that bell ended up in the movie, we’re not entirely sure,” Bevin says.
They’re sure glad the classic Christmas movie featured a bell from their factory. To this day, the movie and the sound of bells ringing signal the Christmas season is here.
The Wonderful Life bells are just one of the many holiday bells made at Bevin Bells. In fact, the company does about 60% of its business in the fourth quarter.
While many people like the jingle of bells around the holidays, one has to wonder if working in a bell factory could get a bit annoying.
“I absolutely love hearing the bells ring and I honestly never get tired of it,” Bevin says. “I have bells in my car all the time because I might be making a delivery, and I jingle everywhere I go, which brings a real smile on my face.”
From sleigh bells to the bell from “It’s a Wonderful Life,” much Christmas cheer begins at Bevin Bells in East Hampton, Conn.
