Liberty Bell Replica, 1964 New York Expo
The Liberty Bell was first cast by the Lester and Pack Bell Foundry in London in 1752. The Liberty Bell was twice recast in Philadelphia by John Pass and John Stow in 1753 after it cracked.
Liberty Bell Replicas
An Icon for Freedom
Today, the Liberty Bell is an internationally recognized icon for freedom, but that has not always been so. The bell was ordered for the Pennsylvania State House (today is known as Independence Hall) in 1752, just after the 50th anniversary of William Penn’s Charter of Privileges, Pennsylvania’s liberal colonial constitution.
Except for short periods, such as when it was hidden away during the Revolutionary War, the Liberty Bell spent its first 222 years in that famous building, ringing for routine meetings, special gatherings, and ceremonial occasions.
The Origin of the Liberty Bell name
Later, anti-slavery groups adopted it as a symbol of their cause and coined its name, The Liberty Bell, in the early 19th century. After the Civil War, the Liberty Bell traveled across the country in an attempt to reunite the nation. Since then, many groups have used it as a symbol of their struggles for liberty and equality.
The bell weighs about 2080 pounds. The original Liberty Bell is made up of approximately 70% copper, 25% tin and small amounts of lead, zinc, arsenic, gold, and silver. The bell is believed to hang from its original yoke made from American Elm, also known as Slippery Elm.
Its message of liberty and freedom reaches people all over the world even though the Liberty Bell no longer rings.
