Groundbreaking for reconstruction of Hulley Tower set for Monday, Feb. 24

Andrea Mujica February 21, 2025
Rendering of reconstruction of Hulley Tower
The groundbreaking ceremony will take place from 3-4 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24, at Hulley Tower, just north of DeLand Hall at 503 N. Woodland Blvd.

Stetson invites the public to be part of history at a groundbreaking Feb. 24 for the historical reconstruction of Hulley Tower on the DeLand campus.

Hulley Tower stood on campus from 1934 to 2005 and its 11 bronze bells rang out daily across campus and the DeLand community. But after suffering damage in the 2004 hurricane season, the iconic landmark had to be taken down to its base.

The reconstruction project will restore the tower to its original 116-foot height and add a new 52-bell carillon. The project will take about nine months to complete.

Stetson alumni have led a grassroots effort to rebuild the tower and launched a fundraising campaign that is nearing the $6.7 million goal, with about $750,000 remaining. The tower received a $500,000 state preservation grant last year.

Historic black-and-white photo of Hulley Tower
Hulley Tower, named after Lincoln Hulley, Stetson’s second president, is recognized on the National Register of Historic Places.

Recognized on the National Register of Historic Places, the tower is one of the few freestanding bell towers on an American university campus with a mausoleum base. Former Stetson President Lincoln Hulley, who built the tower in 1934, is interred there with his wife, Eloise.

The new tower has come to symbolize the “Soul of Stetson,” honoring three Stetson students who died in an avalanche in Innsbruck, Austria, in 1979. It also embodies the shared values, history and future of the Stetson community.

Due to the forecasted rain, the groundbreaking ceremony will take place from 3-4 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24, indoors at the Rinker Welcome Center. Following the ceremony, the official groundbreaking will still take place in front of Hulley Tower. Speakers include President Christopher F. Roellke, PhD, DeLand Mayor Chris Cloudman, and key alumni who have played an integral role in the rebuilding effort.

Music will be provided by Stetson’s Barron Quartet and the Stetson Singers with Pingyi Song, DMA, Associate Director of Choral Activities, as Conductor.

Parking Information for the Groundbreaking Ceremony:

Attendees can park in the Cummings Gym Parking Lot, located at West Minnesota Avenue behind Cummings Gym. Additional parking is available behind Flagler Hall off of West Minnesota Avenue.

If using GPS, we recommend entering The Wesley House or Flagler Hall (Lots located directly behind) for the most accurate directions.