The Liberty Bell Center is an historic attraction in Center City Philadelphia that houses the famous Liberty Bell as well as other related attractions. It is situated near most of the city's other great historic sites, including Independence Hall, Franklin Court, Old Christ Church, and the U.S. Constitution Center. It is operated by the United States National Park Service and is part of Independence National Historic Park.
The Liberty Bell Center was opened in 2003, providing a safe and secure location for the famed Liberty Bell after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon on September 11, 2001. Previous to that time, the bell was located in an unsecured location near the current building. Today, guests must pass through a bag check and metal detector before entering the Liberty Bell Center.
The Liberty Bell first rang in the tower of Independence Hall in 1776. Created to commemorate the golden anniversary of Penn's Charter, the bell eventually developed a crack and was deemed un-ringable in 1846. Nonetheless, it had already become a symbol of liberty and shared a close relationship to the Declaration of Independence. Each year, hundreds of thousands of visitors get close to the bell, which weighs about a ton and is made of 70% copper, 25% tin, and small amounts of lead, zinc, arsenic, gold, and silver. It still hangs from what experts say is its original yoke, fashioned from American elm.
Upon entering the Liberty Bell Center, guests can view a video presentation about the bell as well as a variety of exhibits that focus on the origins of the bell as well as its role as an icon of freedom in today's world. Guests can hear taped presentations recorded in more than a dozen languages, making the Liberty Bell Center a truly international attraction. At the end of the long building, visitors reach the bell, which is displayed in a glass chamber with an excellent view of Independence Hall in the background. Guests can take turns posing in front of the bell for photographs. Park rangers are on hand both inside and outside the Liberty Bell Center to answer questions about the bell and its history.
The Liberty Bell Center and most of the other attractions located inside Independence National Historic Park are open daily year round. There is no admission charge for any of these attractions. Hours are generally extended during the summer months and during Freedom Week (July 1 to 5). While timed tickets are required to visit Independence Hall, tickets are not required to enter the Liberty Bell Center. Visitors should expect, however, to wait in the security line, especially during the very busy summer months when Philadelphia is teeming with tourists. Also, guests may need to wait their turn to take their place beside the bell for photos and should be courteous to others waiting for the same opportunity.
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