Liberty Bell
Liberty Bell
| Type | Historic artifact |
|---|---|
| Address | 526 Market Street (Liberty Bell Center) |
| Map | View on Google Maps |
| Neighborhood | Old City |
| Phone | (215) 965-2305 |
| Website | Official site |
| Established | 1752 (cast); 2003 (current location) |
| Hours | Daily 9am-5pm |
The Liberty Bell is an iconic symbol of American independence, housed in the Liberty Bell Center in Old City, Philadelphia. Cast in 1752 and famously cracked, the bell became a symbol of liberty in the 19th century and remains one of America's most visited historical objects.[1]
History
Origins
- 1751 — Pennsylvania Assembly ordered bell from London
- 1752 — Bell arrived, cracked during testing
- 1753 — Recast twice by local founders Pass and Stow
- Hung in Pennsylvania State House (Independence Hall)
- Inscription: "Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land"
The Crack
The bell's famous crack:
- Bell cracked sometime in early 19th century (exact date disputed)
- Final crack appeared 1846 while ringing for George Washington's birthday celebration
- The crack made the bell unringable
- Multiple repair attempts failed
- The crack became part of its identity
Adoption as Symbol
The bell was not called "Liberty Bell" until the 1830s:
- Abolitionists — Adopted the bell as anti-slavery symbol
- The inscription ("Proclaim Liberty") resonated
- Traveled the country for expositions (1885-1915)
- Became national symbol of freedom
- Now permanently in Philadelphia
The Liberty Bell Center
The Building
The Liberty Bell Center opened in 2003:
- Designed specifically for the bell
- Located across from Independence Hall
- Views of Independence Hall through glass
- Free admission, no timed tickets
- Exhibits on the bell's history
Viewing the Bell
- Walk through exhibits about the bell's history
- Approach the bell at the center's end
- Photography permitted
- Touchable replica outside for the visually impaired
- No touching the actual bell
The Inscription
The bell's inscription reads:
"Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants Thereof" — Leviticus 25:10
- Originally referenced the 50th anniversary of Penn's Charter
- Later interpreted as call for freedom
- Resonated with abolitionists and civil rights movements
Visiting
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Hours | Daily 9am-5pm |
| Admission | Free |
| Tickets | None required |
| Time needed | 20-30 minutes |
| Security | Screening required |
Tips
- No tickets needed—walk up during operating hours
- Lines can be long during peak season
- Morning visits tend to be less crowded
- Security screening at entrance
- Combine with Independence Hall (across the street)
Getting There
- SEPTA Subway — 5th Street Independence Hall Station (Market-Frankford Line)
- Walking — On Market Street between 5th and 6th
- Near — Independence Hall, Independence Visitor Center
Frequently Asked Questions
See Also
References
- ↑ "Liberty Bell". National Park Service. Retrieved December 23, 2025