DREXEL HILL, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — Delaware County is getting its own custom Liberty Bell as the region prepares for the United States’ 250th birthday — and more are on the way.
The initiative is called Bells Across PA and it is expected to bring 3-by-3 fiberglass replicas of the Liberty Bell to each of the commonwealth’s 67 counties. There will be a total of 108 bells.
Cassandra Coleman, executive director of America250PA, said people can come see one of the newest bells at ShopRite of Drexeline in Drexel Hill. According to Coleman, the bells are meant to help spur conversation around next year’s celebration of the country’s semiquincentennial.
“I’m really excited because that is really an opportunity for local artists to tell stories about their communities and about their regions,” she said. “It's an invitation. It’s for folks to really think about this historic anniversary and have those conversations.”
The bell was painted by West Chester artist Joshua Ruggeri, who said the bell was filled with local historical pride for people to take in. “It’s really the ultimate canvas of freedom,” he said.
“There’s an eagle on there, stars and stripes that stretch from Delco across the nation. There’s an iconic image of Independence Hall and the word Delco.”
Another artist-painted Liberty Bell replica is scheduled to arrive in the county in December. Both will be on display until late next year.