What I had never realised about the Liberty Bell was that it was made in England. There’s a whole exhibition in downtown Philaldelphia dedicated to the Bell and its history. It has really done the rounds throughout the US over the years for significant moments of history. It arrived from London in 1752, and the famous crack down the side occurred soon after its arrival. In the early days it rang to signify important public meetings, and then American Independence on July 4, 1776 (depending on who you believe). It then travelled the country until the early 20th century when it was deemed too fragile to be moved again. It was last rung as a symbol of freedom during the Cold War.
It’s a fascinating exhibition, although the Bell itself is really quite small. You can get up close to it and have your picture taken. All in all the exhibition is a great place to start a historic tour of Philadelphia and should not be missed.
For any visitors with limited mobility, it’s ideal because there is plenty of space and it’s all in a single storey building with no stairs.
