National Historic Park: The Liberty Bell Center

The Liberty Bell rang when the Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence , and has become a symbol of freedom in the United States. Cast in London, England, in 1752, for the Pennsylvania State House, the Bell cracked soon after it arrived in Philadelphia. Local craftsmen John Pass and John Stow cast a new bell in 1753, using metal from the English bell. Their names appear on the front of the bell, along with the city, date, and an inscription.

By 1846, a thin crack began to affect the sound of the bell. In order to repair the bell, craftsmen carved a slot along the length of the crack that prevented the two sides of the bell from vibrating against each other, and inserted two rivets in the slot to control the vibration of the two sides and restore the bell's tonal quality. After the repair, the bell rang for a George Washington birthday celebration , but it cracked again and has not rung since.

Today, the Liberty Bell hangs in Philadelphia at the Liberty Bell Center on Market Street, and someone symbolically taps it each July 4.

For information on planning a visit to the Liberty Bell Center , please visit the National Park Service's (NPS) website.

Please note: Tickets are required for tours of Independence Hall from March 1 to December 31 (except for July 4 and Thanksgiving). Walk-up tickets are available for free on the morning of your visit at the Independence Visitor Center. One person may request up to 10 tickets for a family or small group. Up to 80 tickets may be given to one teacher or guide for organized tours or school groups. Everyone in the group needs a ticket, even infants.

For more information, please visit the following links:

• Frequently Asked Liberty Bell Center Questions
• Information for Kids
• Information for Teachers

Additional Resources:

• National Monuments
• National Historic Landmarks
• National Register of Historic Places
• World Heritage Sites
• Information on State and National Parks