When is the Liberty Bell moving?
The Liberty Bell is moving to its new home, the Liberty Bell Center, on October 9, 2003.
Why is the Bell moving?
The Bell is moving to the Liberty Bell Center, a new home that will provide a fitting setting for the icon of freedom, and for the first time allow visitors to view exhibits and displays related to the Liberty Bell and its history. The Bell will move closer to Independence Hall, where it rung in the tower for 75 years.
Is the Bell move part of a larger plan for the city?
The move is part of a $314 million makeover of Independence Mall. Included in the project are the National Constitution Center, which opened on July 4, 2003; the Independence Visitor Center, which opened in November 2001; and the Independence Park Academy, a park educational facility for which funds are being raised.
Where else has the Liberty Bell lived?
The Bell has had three homes: Independence Hall (The Pennsylvania State House) from 1753 to 1976, the Liberty Bell Pavilion from 1976 to 2003 and the new Liberty Bell Center beginning on October 9, 2003. During the Revolutionary War, the Bell was moved from Philadelphia to Allentown, Pennsylvania, to keep it safe from the British.
Isn’t it a well traveled bell?
In addition to its former homes, the Bell has toured the country many times, stopping in 14 cities on its way to New Orleans for the World’s Industrial and Cotton Centennial Exposition in 1885. In 1895, the Liberty Bell made 40 celebratory stops along the way to the Cotton State and International Exposition in Atlanta, and in 1903, it made 49 stops en route to Charlestown, Massachusetts, for the 128th anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill.
When was the Liberty Bell created?
The Liberty Bell was created in 1753. The Bell was recast twice by Philadelphia’s Pass and Stow Foundry after it was shipped from the Whitechapel Foundry in London. It was placed into service in 1753, making 2003 the 250th birthday of the Liberty Bell. The large "crack" in the Bell resulted from an 1846 repair of a crack that occurred between 1841 and 1845. This method of repair is called stop-drilling. The irreparable crack in the Bell occurred after the stop-drilling repair during the celebration of Washington’s birthday on February 23, 1846.
Why is it called the Liberty Bell?
Referring to the inscription on the Bell, abolitionists named the Liberty Bell in 1835. These antislavery advocates adopted the Bell as their symbol because of its inscription, which reads: "Proclaim Liberty throughout all the Land unto all the Inhabitants thereof. Lev. XXV X By order of the Assembly of the Province of Pensylvania for the State House in Philadelphia." The first part of the quote is taken from Leviticus chapter 25, verse 10 of the King James version of the Bible.
Who owns the Bell?
The City of Philadelphia owns the Liberty Bell. Under a memorandum of agreement, the National Park Service cares for the Liberty Bell, along with Independence Hall and other structures on Independence Square.
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.
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 www.gophila.com.
