Part of a $314 million makeover of Independence Mall, the new Liberty Bell Center will provide a fitting setting for the icon of freedom, and for the first time allow visitors to view exhibits and displays focusing on the Bell’s origins and its modern day role as an international icon of freedom.
LOCATION
Market Street between 5th & 6th Streets
OPENING
October 9, 2003
PROJECT COST
$12.9 million
SIZE
- 13,000 square feet of enclosed space
- Covered entrance area is 2,000 square feet
- The building is 235 feet long by 50 feet wide
- The dimensions of the Bell Chamber are 40 feet by 50 feet by 36 feet
- The granite serpentine wall is 320 feet long
- The entire south facing wall of the Bell Chamber is 30 feet by 30 feet
- The two cupped marble walls within the Bell Chamber are15 feet tall by 32 feet long
EXHIBIT DETAILS
- The Center’s main exhibition is divided into three categories:
- Pennsylvania’s State House Bell: Focuses on why the Bell was commissioned for the State House, who made it and how it was made
- America’s Liberty Bell: Features information about how the Bell became a symbol for abolitionists, and how it emerged as a symbol for both freedom attained and freedom not yet achieved, as it was used by both the women’s suffrage and Civil Rights movements
- The World’s Symbol of Liberty: Covers how the Bell became a world symbol and includes photographs of the Dalai Lama and Nelson Mandela
CENTER FEATURES
- Foreign language video options, including English, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Korean, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish
- Outdoor audio stations and indoor introductory exhibit panel text available in all of the above languages, in addition to Arabic and Japanese
- Handicap accessible
- Multi-purpose rooms for group presentations
DESIGN TEAM
Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, a nationally regarded architectural firm, designed the Liberty Bell Center. In addition, Bernie Cywinski is one of the architects who conceived the master plan for Independence National Historical Park. The firm of Ueland, Junker, McCauley, Nicholson designed the exhibits.
FUNDING
Major funders include the Annenberg Foundation, the City of Philadelphia and Pew Charitable Trusts.
Part of the National Park Service, Independence National Historical Park preserves sites associated with the American Revolution, including Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell and other historic sites that tell the story of the early days of the nation. Covering 45 acres in Old City Philadelphia, the park has 20 buildings open to the public. For park information, call (215) 597-8974 or go to www.nps.gov/inde.
For more information about travel to Philadelphia, visit gophila.com or call the new Independence Visitor Center, located in Independence National Historical Park, at (800) 537-7676.
The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation is a non-profit organization dedicated to generating awareness of and visitation to Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties. For more information about travel to Philadelphia, visit gophila.com or call the new Independence Visitor Center, located in Independence National Historical Park, at (800) 537-7676. For information about arts and cultural attractions in the region, visit the Philadelphia CultureFiles at gophila.com.
