Lake Buena Vista in Orange County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Liberty Bell
The Province Bell was the name first used to describe me. I was ordered from the English bell foundry of Whitechapel in 1751 by the Pennsylvania Assembly. I was to be part of the celebration which would commemorate the 50th anniversary of William Penn’s Charter of Privileges signifying the founding of Pennsylvania.
Soon after being brought from England it was decided to test me for tonal quality. For this purpose I was hung in the notch of a tree and struck. With the first stroke of the clapper I sang out a glorious note. However, with the second strike I cracked and then gave off a terrible sound.
Two Pennsylvania metalworkers, Pass and Stow, melted me down, added more copper and recast me. I was now an American bell although everything about me was the same as the first bell, including the inscription “Proclaim Liberty throughout the Land unto all the Inhabitants thereof” and “By Order of the Assembly of the Province of Pennsylvania for the State House in Philadelphia.”
People now knew me as the State House Bell. At first my only duty was to call the legislators to assemblies. However, as English rule became more and more intolerable I was used to summon people together to discuss and protest issues they considered unfair.
I was muffled as a symbol of protest and tolled slowly when the Sugar Act of 1764 and the Stamp Act of 1765 were passed into law. I continued to toll for the First Continental Congress in 1774. The time I remember best was on July 8, 1776, when I summoned the citizenry for the reading of the Declaration of Independence. It was during this era of unrest that I became known as The Bell of Independence and The Bell of Revolution.
During the Revolutionary War, I was wildly rung to signify each victory and muffled and tolled slowly to announce each defeat. The people could judge the success of the war effort just by the way I was rung. I became so important to the people that when Philadelphia was invaded by advancing British forces, I was taken to Allentown, Pennsylvania and hidden in the floorboards of a church so the British wouldn’t find me. After a year in hiding, I was returned to the State House in Philadelphia. On September 3, 1783, I was rung joyously to celebrate the signing of the Treaty of Paris which ended the war between Great Britain and the United States.
After eighty years of almost continuous use, I was rung to mourn the death of Chief Justice Marshall on July 8, 1835 and cracked. In 1846, I was rung for the last time to commemorate George Washington’s birthday. Although I can no longer actually ring, I still occupy a special place in American history. The Herald of Freedom and Liberty Bell are the names by which I am best known today and perhaps these are the names which best describe me, for when the freedom and liberty of the United States hung in the balance, my voice was used to rally the people to the cause of Liberty.
Cast from the same mold, this bell is a
“Second generation” of the Original bell that hangs in Philadelphia.
It was cast for Walt Disney World Resort in 1989.
( Second Marker : )
“Thus to Proclaime Liberty
throughout the Land . . . ”
Since the dawn of our great Republick,
The Liberty Bell
has been an enduring Symbol of
American Independence & Freedom.
--------------------
This replication was truly cast for
~ Liberty Square ~
using the same mould from whence
the original bell was sprung.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Historic Bells, and the Liberty Bell Replica series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1835.
Location. Marker has been reported permanently removed. It was located near 28° 25.157′ N, 81° 34.953′ W. Marker was in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, in Orange County. Marker is located in Liberty Square in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Orlando FL 32830, United States of America.
We have been informed that this sign or monument is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies. The Liberty Tree (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named The Liberty Tree (a few steps from this marker); Tom Sawyer Island (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Visit Carousel of Progress (approx. ¼ mile away); Forced Eastward (approx. 3 miles away); Prehistoric Plants (approx. 3.8 miles away); English Tea Garden (approx. 3.9 miles away); From Ships to Staves (approx. 4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lake Buena Vista.
Additional commentary.
1. Additional information
The assertion that this bell was cast from "the same mold" as the original is incorrect. Every large bronze bell is cast in a unique mold, which must be broken up after cooling in order to remove the bell. This has been true for centuries, even as the technology for constructing bell molds has changed.
— Submitted August 17, 2020, by Carl Scott Zimmerman of Kirkwood, Missouri.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 11, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 24, 2014, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 741 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 24, 2014, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 6. submitted on March 11, 2024, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. 7. submitted on August 31, 2014, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.