The Liberty Bell
Center
Independence Mall
part of Independence
National Historic Park
Philadelphia
(215) 597-8974
It
has been said that the Liberty Bell is
like our democracy, in that it is
"fragile and imperfect, but
endures." The bell has become an
international symbol of freedom and
attracts hordes of visitors from around
the country -- and the world.
Interestingly, the Liberty
Bell, which was cast in 1751, was
originally called the State House Bell.
It was rung to beckon Philadelphians to Independence
Square for the first
reading of the Declaration of
Independence on July 4, 1776. But it
didn't crack then. Instead, it slowly
cracked over a period of years, was
repaired and then cracked again to be
silenced forever in 1846.
Under usual circumstances, a
bell that no longer rings is taken down
from the belfry, melted down and used for
other purposes. In this case, however, a
group of Abolitionists, inspired by the
bell's inscription, which reads "to
proclaim liberty throughout all the land
unto all the inhabitants thereof,"
rechristened it the "Liberty
Bell" and publicized its role in our
nation's birth as part of their argument
that all Americans -- including slaves --
should be free.
For years the Liberty Bell
was on view in a case in Independence
Hall. In 1976 it was
moved to a modern, glass-walled building
as part of the celebration of the
nation's Bicentennial. There was almost
universal dislike for the bell's pavilion
from the very beginning, though, and the
original pavilion was soon replaced with
the larger Liberty Bell Center, which
accommodates exhibitions about the notion
of liberty the bell symbolizes, and the
bell's place in history. Security has
become tight in recent years, so don't be
surprised by the long lines to pass
through the security screening.
Getting There
Admission to the Liberty Bell Center
is free, and open from 9 to 5 daily. For
detailed driving directions, the latest
security procedures, and other logistical
information, please see the write-up of Independence
National Historic Park.
The Philadelphia Insider Directory:
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