PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia’s Bicentennial Bell is almost ready to ring again. The historic bell, gifted to the United States by Britain nearly 50 years ago, was officially hoisted in place on the grounds of its new home, the Benjamin Rush Garden at Third and Walnut streets.
With the bell centered, crews are working to turn the surrounding area into a garden. It is expected to be complete by July.
On July 6, 1976, the Bicentennial Bell was dedicated by Queen Elizabeth II in Philadelphia . Etched on it are the words “Let Freedom Ring.” It was made at the same foundry that cast the Liberty Bell.
It hung in the bell tower of the former visitor center in Old City until that building was demolished in 2013 to make way for the Museum of the American Revolution . It had been in storage ever since.
Now, the 12,500-pound bell is basking in the sun again. It was taken out of storage and set on an iron armature in the middle of the garden.
Shrubs and other plants were specifically curated to be planted in the garden. They are the same species that were traded between Great Britain and North American colonies during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Photo credit John McDevitt/KYW Newsradio “The blue stone is going in this week,” said Jonathan Burton, director of development for the Independence Historical Trust. “We’re finishing up the hardscaping in the entire garden, and that’s when the irrigation will go in after that, and the plantings will go in early to mid-May.
“The end of June is what they call the period of performance — it should be done by then, but we are going to have a ribbon-cutting … [in] early July.”
The Independence Historical Trust is the philanthropic partner of Independence National Historical Park. The Bicentennial Bell Garden Project is partially funded by the trust through a $1 million donation from the Landenberger Family Foundation.
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