Liberty Bell & Other Relics: The Curious Journeys of America's Founding Artifacts

The Liberty Bell: A Symbol on the Move

Few objects capture the spirit of the American Revolution quite like the Liberty Bell. Cast in 1752 for the Pennsylvania State House (now Independence Hall), the bell became a rallying symbol decades later, after the abolitionist movement adopted its iconic crack as a metaphor for an unfinished promise of liberty. While many imagine the bell always perched in Philadelphia, its journey was anything but stationary.

In 1777, as British troops advanced on Philadelphia, patriots spirited the Liberty Bell—along with other vital bells—to Allentown, PA, hiding it in the Zion Reformed Church. This act, orchestrated by local patriots and the Pennsylvania Assembly, saved it from being melted into cannon shot by the British. The bell remained hidden until the Redcoats withdrew from Philadelphia, then quietly returned to its home, its silence as profound as its chime had been. The Liberty Bell’s famous crack, incidentally, likely appeared long after these events, possibly in the early 19th century, but its dramatic wartime flight sealed its legendary status.

Paul Revere’s Bell Foundry and Revolutionary Metalwork

Paul Revere is best known for his midnight ride, but his expertise as a silversmith and bell maker also contributed lasting artifacts. After the war, Revere founded his own bell foundry in Boston in 1792, producing more than 100 bells over his lifetime. These bells rang across New England, calling citizens to worship and public meetings, echoing the ideals of liberty he championed.

Some of Revere’s bells have survived centuries of relocation, renovations, and even near-destruction. For example, the bell he cast for the First Congregational Church in Newburyport, Massachusetts, in 1808 survived a fire that gutted the church in 1861. Today, original Revere bells are rare treasures, carefully preserved and occasionally rung in celebration—resounding reminders of American craftsmanship and civic spirit.

Other Artifacts: From the Declaration to the Franklin Chair

The journeys of founding-era artifacts extend beyond bells. The original engrossed Declaration of Independence, signed on August 2, 1776, traversed the new nation’s hazardous roads in a leather case, following Congress as it relocated from Philadelphia to Baltimore, Lancaster, York, and eventually back to Philadelphia to escape British raids. The document suffered much from travel and age, but its battered appearance only underscores its storied past.

Even furniture from the era holds a place in the American imagination. Benjamin Franklin’s “rising sun” chair, used as he presided over the Constitutional Convention in 1787, still stands in Independence Hall—a silent witness to debates that shaped a nation. Many of these objects, from weathered flags to brass candlesticks, have endured fires, theft, and the slow attrition of time, yet remain cherished parts of public memory.

Preserving the Spirit for the Semiquincentennial

• Liberty Bell: Hidden in Allentown (1777), now enshrined in Philadelphia.
• Revere Bells: Scattered across New England, often still in use.
• The Declaration: Traveled with Congress, now displayed in Washington, D.C.
• Franklin’s Chair: Still at Independence Hall.

As we approach the USA’s 250th anniversary in 2026, these relics embody the resilience and evolving ideals of American freedom. Each journey—whether through war, fire, or celebration—connects generations in the ongoing story of liberty. At Pumpbear, we honor the legacy of these artifacts and invite you to celebrate our shared history as the Semiquincentennial approaches. Wear your pride, and let the spirit of 1776 ring anew!