Let Freedom Ring

In the center of the village that is Liberty Square stands a replica of the famous Liberty Bell, which once hung in the tower of Philadelphia's Independence Hall. This bell, cast from the same mold used by John Pass and John Stow to create the original Liberty Bell, was added to the Magic Kingdom in 1989 as part of a celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Constitution.

The Constitution of the United States of America was officially adopted in September 1787 at Independence Hall. The address of the Hall of Presidents entrance across the street pays tribute to that historical event. For the 200th anniversary in 1987, copies of the Constitution were placed on display, and park Guests were invited to sign them just as our Founding Fathers did. Several of these can still be found, framed and hung on the walls of a backstage corridor at the attraction.

Two years later, in recognition of final ratification of the Constitution in 1789, the copy of the Liberty Bell was ordered and dedicated in its home in Liberty Square.

As a young Cast Member in 1989, I had the opportunity to work at the Hall of Presidents. One day, a Guest approached me at the entrance of the attraction, expressing concern that the word "Pennsylvania" was misspelled on our Liberty Bell. I followed him over to the bell, and sure enough he was right. There was "Pennsylvania" with only one "N"...

Quite a few calls and inspections followed. After all, the bell had been acquired at great expense, presumably from the original mold. The misspelling threatened to call its authenticity into question. As it turns out, Pennsylvania is actually spelled incorrectly on the real Liberty Bell. At least, it's considered incorrect today. Although the state of Pennsylvania was named for founder William Penn (two "N"s), during the Colonial era there was no standard spelling in use. In fact, "Pensylvania" with one "N" appears on many maps of the period, as well as in the text of the original Constitution.

One additional note about the Liberty Bell in Liberty Square: it actually rings! Ringing the bell produces a very loud, long lasting tone that definitely calls attention to itself, so it's certainly not recommended for those who are shy. It's far from off limits, though. In fact, several years ago, the fence around the bell was moved in closer, so Guests who chose to do so could ring the bell more easily.