Montevallo in Shelby County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
The Liberty Bell
The Liberty Bell was commissioned November 1, 1751, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of William Penn’s Charter of Privileges for his Pennsylvania colony. The radical charter granted religious liberty to persecuted faiths, including Quakers,Jews, Catholic and others, thus establishing America’s tradition of religious freedom.
The Bell cracked when first tested. Two local foundry men recast The Bell and it began service in 1753 tooling special events. In the Revolutionary War, The Bell tolled to announce the Battle of Lexington and Concord and the first public reading go The Declaration of Independence on July 8, 1776. It cracked again July 8, 1835, during the funeral procession of Chief Justice John Marshall. It was repaired but cracked again 1846 when it rang for George Washington’s birthday. It has not been rung since. It was not called “The Liberty Bell” until 1839 when William Lloyd Garrison’s anti-slavery publication, “The Liberator” published a poem about the Bell. This use by advocates of the anti-slavery movement made The Bell a new symbol of freedom.
The Liberty Bell’s association with The American Revolution, its use to toll important events in history, its symbolic use in the anti-slavery movement, and its Biblical inscription “Proclaim LIBERTY throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.” Leviticus 25:10 have made it among the most cherished and revered symbols of America freedom.
Erected by The American Village.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Government & Politics • Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Historic Bells, and the Liberty Bell Replica series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is November 1, 1751.
Location. 33° 8.35′ N, 86° 49.733′ W. Marker is in Montevallo, Alabama, in Shelby County. Marker can be reached from Montevallo Road (Alabama Route 119) 0.3 miles south of Alex Mill Road, on the right when traveling south. Located in Bell Garden in American Village. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3727 Hwy 119, Montevallo AL 35115, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Liberty Bell Garden (a few steps from this marker); The Lucille Ryals Thompson Colonial Chapel / One Nation Under God (a few steps from this marker); The Colonial Courthouse / The Stocks and Pillory (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The President's Oval Office / The Glorious Burden (about 600 feet away); Washington Hall / Birth of A Nation (about 600 feet away); McGaughy Farms (approx. 2.1 miles away); Harless Cemetery (approx. 2.4 miles away); King House (approx. 3.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Montevallo.
Also see . . . American Village. (Submitted on February 22, 2017.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 22, 2017. It was originally submitted on February 21, 2017, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 770 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 21, 2017, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Side 2 of marker • Can you help?