Liberty Bell Reviews (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

‘Proclaim Liberty Throughtout All the Land!’

West Virginia, West Virginia

May 4, 2012

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Best of IgoUgo When Himself and Yours Truly visited Independence National Historical Park, one of our first excursions was to the Liberty Bell Center. Every American child learns something about the Liberty Bell. From its original location in the bell tower ...Read more When Himself and Yours Truly visited Independence National Historical Park, one of our first excursions was to the Liberty Bell Center. Every American child learns something about the Liberty Bell. From its original location in the bell tower above Independence Hall, it witnessed key events related to the founding of the United States and became a noteworthy symbol of American liberty—and not a small part of our national mythology.

A few facts seem in order. The Liberty Bell was cast in London’s White Chapel Foundry in 1752. It cracked soon after arrival in Philadelphia and was recast in 1753 by local craftsmen. The bell was likely rung to celebrate the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence on July 8, 1776. It derives its name for the Biblical quotation inscribed on its surface: "Proclaim liberty throughout all the land and unto its inhabitants." Its symbolic value was incorporated into the abolition movement during the 1830s, and it later traveled far and widely in post-Civil War America as part of the effort to bind the union back together. There are a number of stories associated with the how and when the bell cracked, but the Park Service maintains that in the 1840s, its tones began to be affected by a tiny crack. Attempts at repair proved unsuccessful, and the prominent crack that now features so largely was acquired when the bell was rung in 1846 in honor of George Washington’s birthday.

The Liberty Bell is now the raison d'être for the Independence National Historical Park’s Liberty Bell Center. The new center houses space for exhibits and for videos on the bell and its significance. The bell is located in a specially designed alcove with a floor-to-ceiling glass wall that faces Independence Hall. At night the alcove it lit, so the bell is visible at all times, even when the center is closed. And of course, the unobstructed view between the bell and Independence Hall reinforces their long mutual history.

Himself and Yours Truly arrived at the center less than an hour before closing, so we didn’t dally much with the other exhibits. We did take enough time to note that a great many versions of the Liberty Bell had been assembled to show its pervasiveness as a patriotic icon. The bell was present is every possible medium and served many functions—from plastic pencil sharpeners to commemorative china plates, metal desk ornaments, and glass banks. Most of the collection is arranged into displays meant to emphasize some aspect of the bell’s cultural significance. Taken together, it represents the ultimate collection of Liberty Bell memorabilia.

The bell itself is protected behind a simple metal railing placed at about knee level. This barrier puts enough distance between the bell and its visitors to prevent anyone from reaching out to touch its surface, yet it is low enough to allow an unobstructed view. My first response on seeing the bell was ‘I thought it was larger!’ Not that it’s all that small, mind—it’s just smaller than several of the so-called replicas I’ve seen at various public events. The real thing is about 3 feet tall, with the elm yoke from which it is suspended adding at least another foot. Its circumference at the base is 12 feet, and it weighs 2,080 pounds. The famous crack is 24.5 inches long and half an inch wide, with a large metal rivet at the top end to discourage further spreading. As currently displayed, the bell’s yoke is attached to two metal posts holding it about 3 feet off the floor.

I yearned to reach and touch this icon of American liberty, but such contact is no longer permitted. Before coming to its present location, touching the bell was regarded as lucky. Needless to say, there is a good deal of general grumbling about the "new" restriction. It is possible, however, to wander around the bell and view it from every angle—and this we did. On the fine spring day that we visited, the view of Independence Hall and the narcissus in the landscaped beds beyond the windows made for a fine and hopeful scene. If we could not touch, at least we could look to our hearts’ content.

Unlike Independence Hall and a handful of other park attractions, tickets are not required for the Liberty Bell Center. Those hoping for unobstructed photo ops should visit either early in the day or during the off season. On a weekdaafternoon in March, we had no problem. There were certainly other visitors, but patience ensured that we got our photos. Admission is free, but as with most public attractions these days, an airport-style security screening is the true price of entry.

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From journal Finding the Founders

Let Freedom Ring!

by Liam Hetherington

Manchester, United Kingdom

November 13, 2011

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Best of IgoUgo The Liberty Bell is a bell with a crack in it. Taken at face value it is one of the least impressive sights around. However it is also one of the most inspiring – its image and memory has been used as a mirror to inspire people in the United States ...Read more The Liberty Bell is a bell with a crack in it. Taken at face value it is one of the least impressive sights around. However it is also one of the most inspiring – its image and memory has been used as a mirror to inspire people in the United States in the search for freedom. And I think visitors to Philadelphia need to keep that in mind, because otherwise the Liberty Bell is pretty unexciting.

The Liberty Bell Center is free to enter. Visitors do not have to join tours or specific time slots, which makes it a good thing to do if you are waiting for your entrance time at Independence Hall. It is a modern building on the grass opposite the Hall with information panels taking you through the history and significance of the bell. These don’t help matters if I’m honest. For starters they blow the biggest myth out of the water straight away: the bell has nothing to do with American independence. It was present in the clocktower of the Pennsylvania State House (as Independence Hall was then known), and there are references to bells ringing out to celebrate the reading of the Declaration of Independence on 8th July 1776, but there is no conclusive proof to state that this bell was one of those. Nor did it have any special significance. It was just a bell in a building where some momentous discussions took place – and not even an especially good one as its re-castings to correct defects and its famous crack testify. It was not even referred to as ‘the Liberty Bell’ until many years later. But after being treated to an exhaustive account of the minutiae of the bell’s life (who made it, the wranglings over payment, its tours around the country) you eventually come to a scrum at the end of the building. Pushing through the crowd you get to see it for yourself, with Independence Hall seen behind it through the full-length windows. And it’s just a bell. It’s not notably old, or big, or shiny, or impressive, or musical. It’s just a bell with a crack in it.

The power of the bell, however, lies in the associations that have become attached to it. It has been mythologized and in these myths is a power that transcends the dull metal it is fashioned from. First there is the Biblical verse from the book of Leviticus that was stencilled on to it when it was first cast (in London ironically): "Proclaim LIBERTY throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof". They say it rang out to celebrate the declaration of independence; we have no proof but it is more than possible. Due to its central position in the city that gave birth to the United States it rang out at times of great importance or to celebrate them years later. And its image was appropriated for all those who fought for freedom. It was the abolitionists fighting for an end to slavery in America who first coined the name ‘the Liberty Bell’. When women demanded votes they used they cast a replica they called the ‘Justice Bell’. By the time the USA was fighting in Europe and the Pacific the Liberty Bell’s iconic image was everywhere. And when Dr Martin Luther King, in his ‘I have a dream’ speech, quoted the patriotic song ’My Country, ‘Tis of Thee’, his repeated demands to ‘let freedom ring’ echoed the ghostly peals of the long-silent bell. Much as the Statue of Liberty took on a meaning its erectors had never intended, so too the power of the Liberty Bell lies not in what it looks like but rather what generations of Americans have come to think of it as representing: the idea of liberty – specifically American liberty – itself. It is an icon for a people.
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From journal Philadelphia - the Birth of a Nation

The famous liberty bell

by alanmack37

Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

October 9, 2010

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You can enter the Liberty Bell Center on Market Street between 5th and 6th Streets. The building is open year round, though hours vary by season. inside the centre there is a video presentation and exhibits on display about the Liberty Bell, ...Read more

From journal Philadelphia freedom

Ringing up a Piece of History

by stvchin

Tustin, California

July 4, 2010

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Best of IgoUgo The Liberty Bell, America’s longstanding icon of liberty and justice, is located in the recently built Liberty Bell Center on Market Street, between 5th and 6th Streets. The Liberty Bell Center is part of the Independence National Historical Park, ...Read more The Liberty Bell, America’s longstanding icon of liberty and justice, is located in the recently built Liberty Bell Center on Market Street, between 5th and 6th Streets. The Liberty Bell Center is part of the Independence National Historical Park, which also includes Independence Hall, just across the street.

Tickets are not required, you simply have to wait in line at the door. There is no entry fee. There is the obligatory security screening with magnetometer and x-ray machines. The inside of the building is quite nice, a beautifully built concrete block structure with glass from top to bottom, letting in lots of natural sunlight. Once inside, there are rows and rows of displays showing the history of the Liberty Bell, from initial design, to construction, to when it was cracked, and all the way until today. They even have displays on the restoration of the Liberty Bell, including X-rays. One interesting fact that I didn’t realize was that it was cracked during testing at Independence Hall. The inside of the Liberty Bell Center is divided by a concrete block wall, behind which there are several open theaters playing short projection movies about the Liberty Bell.

We learned that the Liberty Bell was rung to announce the gathering of the First Continental Congress in 1774, as well as other important events in Revolutionary War history such as the battles of Concord and Lexington. It was removed and sent away to prevent it from being destroyed upon threat of British assault upon Philadelphia in 1777, and returned to Independence Hall in 1778 when the British left.

After the rows of displays about the Liberty Bell, is the room with the Liberty Bell itself on display. It’s in a tall room with a glass wall on the rear. Independence Hall is seen prominently through the glass wall, giving the Liberty Bell an appropriate backdrop. The Liberty Bell is situated in the middle of the room and is fenced off, with park rangers keeping watch and available to answer questions. It’s quite awe inspiring to see this symbol of liberty in person, and something our nation has cherished and kept protected for over 250 years. I spent some time viewing the inscriptions on the bell, as well as the details of the yoke and mounting of the bell. A lot of people were squatting down trying to see the underside of the Liberty Bell, especially the kids. After the Liberty Bell room is the exit, which takes you out near Chestnut Street.

I definitely recommend visiting this piece of living history. The Liberty Bell could be viewed as a defective signaling device, but history judges it to be a significant inspiration to many as a symbol of liberty and freedom.
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From journal Quick Trip to Philly

Liberty Bell

by rhondaraeg

San Jose, California

June 26, 2010

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Always great when you get to see a bit of history for free. The line wasn't too long but when we walked by a few hours later - there was no line. Just depends on other tours, etc. We were able to get a picture with just us by asking other ...Read more

From journal Philadelphia June 11-13, 2010

Liberty Bell

by MalervyC

Norristown, Pennsylvania

September 26, 2005

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Ah, the Libery Bell. The crack seems to be so big, it's hard to imagine that a simple ringing could produce such a fault line. The significance of the bell is bigger that the actual building it's kept in. The lines seem to be really long here, and ...Read more

From journal Philadelphia - A Home Grown City

The Liberty Bell

by Kataries

Albany, Georgia

June 22, 2005

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To come face to face with an item that means so much to all people, as the Liberty Bell does, is quite astounding. It was just a great honor to have gotten to see such an important part of our history. My husband actually leaned over the rope and ...Read more

From journal Family time in Philadelphia

Liberty Bell

by gmulligan

Colorado Springs, Colorado

October 20, 2003

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Just seeing the Liberty Bell is awesome. The wait can be quite long, but it is worth it. Totally amazing. This is THE Liberty Bell, crack and all. Wow. Everyone should see this. It is inspiring. I don't like to wait in lines, but this was worth it. ...Read more

From journal Cable meeting - 8/26/01

Liberty Bell

by soothsayer

new york city, New York

June 14, 2002

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The Liberty Bell was originally cast in England to commemorate William Penn's charter of Privileges in 1701. In 1776, the bell was rung to summon citizens to hear the Declaration of Independence. The cracks in the bell were thought to have stemmed ...Read more

From journal Philly

Liberty Bell

by mrosciolo

Downingtown, Pennsylvania

January 8, 2001

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Let freedom ring! Probably the symbol of freedom in this country, the Liberty Bell is rich with history and legend. Rang on July 8, 1776, the sound of this bell drew crowds of citizens to Independence Hall to hear the first public reading of the ...Read more

From journal Philadelphia, PA

IgoUgo

Liberty Bell

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