Philadelphia Public Art @philart.net

Content: Bells

The Whispering Bells of Freedom
Reginald Beauchamp, 1976
* Memorial to Crispus Attucks
* bells, buildings, people standing, prone, weapons, hats, dog
* inscription:
The whispering bells of freedom in honor of Crispus Attucks
Who on March 5, 1770 was killed by British troops in Boston while protesting conditions under the crown.
These whispers of freedom grew into the crescendo of the Declaration of Independence and the first ringing of the Liberty Bell in Independence Hall.
* Outside the African American Museum. Northwest corner, 7th and Arch.
* 39.953125,-75.151650 [map] [nearby]
* On the Convention District tour
* Exhibits: War, Black Lives
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Reginald Beauchamp page
+wikipedia.org's Crispus Attucks page
+aampmuseum.org

Bell
Toshiko Takaezu, 1986
* bell
* On the street side of the Anne d'Harnoncourt Sculpture Garden. Anne d'Harnocourt Drive (25th and Kelly Drive to the Spring Garden Bridge).
* 39.966835,-75.181775 [map] [nearby]
* On the Art Museum Grounds tour
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Toshiko Takaezu page
+theolinstudio.com's Anne d'Harnoncourt Sculpture Garden page

Wave Forms
Dennis Oppenheim, 2007
* big bells, arch
* Housing complex entrance. Northwest corner, 34th and Chestnut.
* 39.954600,-75.192200 [map] [nearby]
* On the Chestnut 29th to 40th tour
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Dennis Oppenheim page

Veterans Stadium Liberty Bell
Cima Network, Cutler Sign Advertising, Paul Hlywiak, Peter Hlywiak, 2019 (refurbished, repainted, and installed, originally built 1983)
* big bell
* artist attributions are based on a 4/12/2019 article in The Athletic by Matt Gelb
* inscription:
Recognizing the historical significance of the Liberty Bell
to Philadelphia and to the nation, the Phillies have often
incorporated the iconic symbol into their team logo and
ballparks throughout the years. The replica Liberty Bell
that stands here is the second and final bell that was
displayed at Veterans Stadium, the Phillies home from
1971 to 2003. Installed on the Vet's catwalk prior to the
1983 season, the steel and aluminum bell weighs more than
5,000 pounds, covers roughly 270 square feet and features
over 300 light bulbs. It remained, high above center field,
for 21 seasons until its removal in preparation for the
stadium's implosion after the 2003 baseball season. The
bell was refurbished and placed here in March of 2019 just
outside Pass and Stow, a name that derives from the two
Philadelphia foundry workers, John Pass and John Stow,
wo re-cast the original Liberty Bell in 1753 and whose
names are inscribed on this important part of history.
* Southwest entrance Citizens Bank Park. North side of Pattison East of Broad..
* 39.904910,-75.167950 [map] [nearby]
* On the South Broad tour
* Exhibits: New
* See also:
+article in The Athletic
+cimanetwork.com
+wikipedia.org's Citizens Bank Park Page

Bicentennial Bell
Holzman Iron Studio, Studio Bryan Hanes, Whitechapel Bell Foundry, 2024 (the bell itself is 1976)
* quote from and relief bust of Elizabeth II
* actual bell, ideas, head, crown, fish head fountain
* The bell was originally installed in the tower of the old Visitor Center at 3rd and Chestnut. The bell itself is now in the center of the garden. The names of the 13 colonies are carved into the walk around the bell. The fountain, bust of the queen, and text of her speech are on the North wall.
* inscription:
Bell:
FOR THE
PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
FROM THE
PEOPLE OF BRITAIN
4 JULY, 1976
LET FREEDOM RING

Wall:
HERE, ON JULY 6, 1976, HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II
OF GREAT BRITAIN PRESENTED THE BICENTENNIAL BELL
TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES, IN THESE WORDS:

I speak to you as the direct descendant of King George III.
He was the last Crowned Sovereign to rule in this country, and it
is therefore with a particular personal interest that I view those
events which took place 200 years ago.

It seems to me that Independence Day, the Fourth of July, should
be celebrated as much in Britain as IN America. Not in recjoicing
at the separation of the American Colonies from the British
Crown but in sincere gratitude to the Founding Fathers of this
great Republic for having taught Britain a very valuable lesson.

We lost the American Colonies because we lacked that
statesmanship "to know the right time, and the manner of yielding,
what is impossible to keep".

But the lesson was learnt. In the next century and a half we kept
more closely to the principles of Magna Carta which have been
the common heritage of both our countries.

We learnt to respect the right of others to govern themselves in
their own ways. This was the outcome of experience learned the
hard way in 1776. Without that great act in the cause of liberty
performed in Independence Hall two hundred years ago, we
could never have transformed an Empire into a Commonwealth!

Ultimately peace brought a renewal of friendship which has
continued and grown over the years and has played a vital part
in world affairs. Together we have fought in two world wars in
the defence of our common heritage of freedom. Together we
have striven to keep the peace so dearly won. Together, as
friends and allies, we can face the uncertainties of the future,
and this is something for which we in Britain can also celeberate
the Fourth of July.

This morning I saw the famout Liberty Bell. It came here over
200 years ago when Philadelphia, after London, was the largest
English speaking City in the world. It was cast to commemorate
the Pennsylvania Charter of Privileges, but it is better known for
its association with the Declaration of Independence.

Today, to mark the 200th anniversary of that declaration,
it gives me the greatest pleasure, on behalf of the British people,
to present a new bell to the people of the United States of
America. It comes from the same foundry as the Liberty Bell,
but written on the side of this Bicentennial Bell are the wrds
"Let Freedom Ring".

It is a message in which both our people can join and which
I hope will be heard around the world for centuries to come.
* Northwest corner, 3rd and Walnut.
* 39.947350,-75.146575 [map] [nearby]
* On the Old City tour
* See also:
+ironstudioltd.com
+studiobryanhanes.com
+wikipedia.org's Whitechapel Bell Foundry page
+wikipedia.org's Elizabeth II page

Bell Tower
Nolen and Swinburne (Architects), 1965
* big tower, bells
* Polett Walk between 12th and 13th.
* 39.981300,-75.154350 [map] [nearby]
* On the Temple Campus tour
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org's Nolen and Swinburne page