Cave Hill Heritage Foundation

      Historic Cave Hill Cemetery postcard image, dated 1908.

Restore the Rhythm of the Highlands

For generations, the bell from atop Cave Hill Cemetery’s clock tower marked the heartbeat of Louisville’s Highlands. Since 1880, its clear toll has greeted families passing through our gates, called out the hour to hurried travelers, and offered a solemn knell for funeral processions. More than sound, it has been a symbol—a reminder of time’s steady passage and the cycles of life.

Today, that voice has fallen silent. The bell no longer rings, and the century-old clocks that once kept perfect time are faltering. Without intervention, we risk losing not only a treasured landmark, but also the living connection it has forged between our community and its history.

The Cave Hill Heritage Foundation is leading a full restoration to return this beloved icon to its rightful place in our city’s soundscape. Our work will include:

• Installing a new central timepiece 

• Repairing the historic clock faces and replacing the hands that have marked time for over a century

• Adding backlighting so the tower remains a beacon after dark

• Installing a new bell controller to restore the hourly chime

• Repointing interior masonry to restore the wonderful craftsmanship from 1880.

This project is more than preservation—it is an act of renewal. By restoring the clock and bell tower, we bring back the familiar sound that has marked life’s moments for generations, and we safeguard an irreplaceable piece of Louisville’s heritage.

We invite you to help us bring the bell’s voice back to the Highlands. Together, we can ensure it rings out for centuries to come.

                                                                                      Historic Cave Hill Cemetery bell on the lawn behind the Administration Office. Formerly located atop of a tower in     Section 14.