Ayres Hall Clocks

The original plans for the 1921 building included the clocks, which were to be the official clocks of the institution. Limestone surrounds (10 feet in diameter) to frame clock faces on the four sides of the tower were part of the 1921 building, as were the openings for the hands and the structure for the clocks. But clocks were not included because of insufficient funding. The class of 1931 announced at Aloha Oe that its gift to UT would be the installation of clocks in the clock faces at Ayres, but this did not come to be. The class of 2001 also announced that installation of clocks would be part of its class gift, but these clocks also were not installed because of insufficient funds. Clocks, as originally envisioned by Ayres’ architect Grant C. Miller, were installed as part of the 2009 to 2010 renovation of Ayres, and the funds collected by the class of 2001 were added to the endowment established by the Ayres family for maintenance of the clocks and chimes. The clocks installed as part of the 2009–10 renovation were self-correcting, using the same technology as a cell phone. The minute hands of the clocks are approximately six feet in length, and the hour hands are about a foot shorter. The clocks are connected to an electronic carillon that simulates bells. The clock and carillon system was purchased from the Verdin Company of Cincinnati for approximately $80,000.