Liberty Bell Museum facts for kids
Liberty Bell Museum in 1962
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| Established | 1962 |
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| Dissolved | 2023 |
| Location | 622 West Hamilton Street, Allentown, Pennsylvania U.S. |
| Type | History museum |
The Liberty Bell Museum was a special place in Allentown, Pennsylvania. It was inside the Zion's United Church of Christ. This museum was in the church's basement. It's where the famous Liberty Bell was hidden. American patriots kept it safe from the British Army during the American Revolutionary War. This happened from September 1777 to June 1778. The Liberty Bell is a huge symbol of America's freedom.
The museum opened in 1962. It had exhibits about the Liberty Bell and what freedom means. You could also learn about local history. A full-size copy of the Liberty Bell was there. This replica was one of 55 made in France in 1950. Visitors were allowed to ring it!
The museum also showed Allentown's own Liberty Bell. This bell was made in 1769. People believe it was rung on July 8, 1776. It announced the public reading of the Declaration of Independence in Allentown. The museum closed in 2023 when the church was sold.
Contents
The Liberty Bell's Secret Hiding Place
Why the Bell Needed Hiding
In September 1777, General George Washington's army lost a battle. This was the Battle of Brandywine. It meant that Philadelphia, the capital city, was in danger. The British Army was expected to attack.
Pennsylvania leaders decided to protect important bells. They ordered eleven bells to be moved. This included the State House Bell, now called the Liberty Bell. Ten other bells from churches in Philadelphia were also moved. They wanted to stop the British Army from melting them down. The British might have used the metal to make weapons.
The Journey to Allentown
A long line of over 700 wagons left Philadelphia. About 200 cavalry soldiers guarded them. These soldiers were from North Carolina and Virginia. The bells were hidden under hay and manure in the wagons. This was to keep them secret.
The State House Bell was hidden in a wagon. It belonged to a soldier named John Jacob Mickley. On September 18, the wagons reached Richland Township. This area is now Quakertown.
On September 23, 1777, the wagons arrived in Bethlehem. All the bells except the State House Bell were moved. They went to Northampton Towne, which is now Allentown. The next day, the State House Bell was moved again. It went into a wagon belonging to Frederick Leaser. He took it to the historic Zion Reformed Church in Center City Allentown. All the bells were stored safely under the church's floorboards.
Just three days later, on September 26, 1777, the British Army marched into Philadelphia. They took over the city without a fight. The Liberty Bell stayed hidden in Allentown. It was returned to Philadelphia in June 1778. This was after the British left the city.
Museum History and Special Events
Honoring the Bell's Protectors
On November 19, 1908, a special plaque was put up. The Liberty Bell Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution placed it. This plaque is at Zion Reformed Church in Allentown. It tells the story of John Jacob Mickley and Frederick Leaser. It honors their efforts to save the Liberty Bell.
Flag Day Celebrations
The museum was also the home of the Allentown Flag Day Association. This group started on July 3, 1907. Local residents Joe Hart and General Harry Clay Trexler founded it. It is the oldest Flag Day Association in the United States.
In 1922, a huge event was held. 50,000 people came to honor General John J. Pershing. He was a famous general from World War I. This was the association's biggest event ever.
Pip the Mouse Joins the Museum
In 2003, a beloved puppet found a new home. Pip the Mouse became a permanent part of the Liberty Bell Museum. Pip was famous from a holiday show called "The Mouse Before Christmas." This show was performed at Hess's, a local department store. It ran from 1962 to 1995. Pip was a very popular character with children.
The Museum's Closing
On January 11, 2022, the church announced plans to sell the building. This was due to fewer members and money problems. These issues were made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic. The church leaders said keeping the museum safe was very important.
However, the museum and church could not agree on a new lease. So, the museum permanently closed on April 1, 2023. All the items from the museum were moved. They are now kept at the Lehigh County Historical Society.
See also
