The Liberty Bell Museum in downtown Allentown observed its 60th anniversary Sept. 25, at the same time commemorating the 1777 arrival in Allentown close to a dozen cast bells from Philadelphia. These included our precious American symbol, now known as the Liberty Bell, for refuge from the British occupational forces during the darkest days of the American Revolution.

In the early 1960s, Dr. Morgan D. Person and other Allentown patriots felt a need to preserve this little known piece of American history and excavated an area for the public to visit and “touch history” in the same space where these iconic bells from Philadelphia were hidden under the floor boards of the historic Zion’s Reformed Church in 1777-1778. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania also gifted their exact size replica Liberty Bell to the new museum; a bell which has been rung inspiring more than half a million visitors who have come through the doors. The original bell’s inscription, “Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants thereof.” is cast onto the replica, as appropriate today as it was in our colonial days.

Dr. Dennis Blankowitsch, president of the museum’s board of directors, and Rev. Joshua Knappenberger, the museum’s executive director, led the event. Rain unfortunately forced the program to be moved into the beautiful Zion’s sanctuary, thus canceling a planned antique wagon trek to originate at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument and be pulled to Zion’s Church carrying yet another fiberglass replica Liberty Bell, used during the 1976 Bicentennial Wagon Trek re-enactment. The wagon was to be surrounded by members of the 6th Pennsylvania Regiment in period costume, members of the 1976 Trek and many young ladies of Girl Scout Troop 650 of New Tripoli. The wagon and Trek replica bell reside in the collection of the Lynn-Heidelberg Historical Society, now housed in Ontelaunee Park, New Tripoli.

The 60th anniversary program included a touching moment when members of Girl Scout Troop 650 lined the front of the church to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Following were musical numbers by the Louis E. Dieruff HS Band, vocalist Evelyn Stewart and local folk artist Dave Fry. Radell Ludwig, daughter of founder Dr. Morgan Person, shared recollections of the Person household during the period of conception of the new museum to the excitement of the dedication day. Local historian Frank Whelan set the time period in Allentown’s 1960s as the Liberty Bell Shrine, as it was originally named, became a reality and thousands crowded the streets for the dedication.

U.S. Rep. Susan Wild led the local dignitaries, including Lehigh County Executive Phillips Armstrong and Matt Szuchyt of Senator Pat Browne’s office. Leaders from the Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum, the League of Women Voters, the Honorary First Defenders and the Allentown Arts Commission participated as well.

Special tribute was also given to surviving local participants in the 1976 commemorative Pennsylvania Bicentennial Wagon Trek from Philadelphia to Allentown. The original 1777 wagon train was said to number some 600-700 wagons hauling goods to and from Philadelphia, including the well guarded bells of Philadelphia hidden under straw and animal manure. Bill Stauffer, a youth Trek participant in 1976, recounted his magical memories and all other Trek participants were recognized. The Liberty Bell Museum is proudly home to a huge plaque listing the names and roles of the hundreds of 1976 Trek participants.

The Liberty Bell Museum is housed in the Nationally Registered historic Zion’s Reformed Church, the first church in Allentown. Through history, Zion’s Church has been used as a refuge during Indian raids, a revolutionary war hospital, a gathering place for the reading of the Declaration of Independence, the saving of the Liberty Bell and more. In July of this year, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum officially unveiled a marker on Hamilton Street in front of Zion’s Church noting the site’s official role in hiding the Liberty Bell. In addition to the exact replica copy of the Liberty Bell, the museum contains Wilmer Behler’s hand-painted mural telling the story of the hiding of the bells, revolutionary and colonial exhibits, the General Harry C. Trexler Portraits of Freedom Hallway of valued artwork and a museum store.

Thousands of school children visit the museum annually to participate in state certified educational programs delving into local history on both the elementary and middle school levels.

Come November, the Liberty Bell Museum will celebrate yet another milestone when Allentown’s officially proclaimed Firstt Mouse “Pip” turns 60 years old. Pip, the Mouse Before Christmas, known and loved by several generations, will mark the puppet show’s debut in the sidewalk window of the former Hess’s Department store in 1962.

Prior to the recent disbanding of the Zion’s congregation, the membership voted for a $1 gifting of Zion’s UCC historic building to Resurrected Life Community Church of 144 North 9th Street, Allentown. A requirement of this gift was the continued guardianship of the Liberty Bell Museum for the future. Rev. Dr. Gregory J. Edwards, senior pastor of Resurrected Life Community Church, and the RLCC congregation have endorsed a smooth transition so that both Resurrected Life Community Church and the Liberty Bell Museum will be able to successfully continue their important missions in partnership.

The Liberty Bell Museum is open Monday through Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. with experienced tour guides. Come to 622 W. Hamilton Street, Allentown, where you actually touch history and are sure to be inspired with the ringing and vibrations of this official replica Liberty Bell.

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