Liberty Bell replicas ring out for America250 (sort of)
Fifty years ago, Americans came together, united. We set aside fears of a second OPEC oil crisis, stifled stagflation stress and powered through our collective crisis of confidence to light some sparklers, snarf some hot dogs and ring some Liberty Bells — all while wishing ourselves a happy 200.
While it wasn’t a banner year for most Americans, 1976 was a very good year for Liberty Bell replicas — second only to 1950, when the U.S. Treasury commissioned the Paccard Bell Foundry to produce what ended up being 57 bells, 53 of which were used as promotional tools to sell Savings Bonds. In anticipation of Bicentennial Fever, London’s Whitechapel Bell Foundry — where the original Liberty Bell was originally cast — launched an enterprising campaign to produce 100 full-size replicas. They’d restrict sales to two per state. The limited-edition run was further limited by the number of towns that could actually raise enough attention and money to purchase their own Liberty Bell. I’ve found ten out in the wild and suspect there may be another half dozen more out there.
At least seven replicas were ordered around the same time by cemeteries across the country. This seemed less likely the product of a foundry-driven sales campaign and more likely a number of independent businesses having the same good idea at the same time. Of the cemetery bells I’ve found from this era, two are from Whitechapel and five are from Paccard.
Another xx 1976 replicas reside in museums or on college campuses across the country.
Fifty years later, it seems — somehow — that we’re going to turn 250. The U.S. Semiquincentennial, or as it’s been mercifully rebranded, America250 (no space, ’cause we’re cool like that) is a yearlong-plus, seemingly bipartisan celebration that might have started on Memorial Day 2025, will definitely pop off big time on July Fourth and could continue into Christmas.
While each state has its own website and set of shin-digs planned, the overall tone of campaign messaging seems to be that each and every inhabitant is on our own to choose how we’d like to celebrate our birthday.
As the de facto go-to person on the subject, I humbly suggest to you, my fellow America-lovers that visiting every state’s Liberty Bell is a great way to celebrate — and log a ton of miles on the family truckster. See the up-to-date list of locations and accessibility here.
You could limit your quest to the contiguous states and still bag a clean fifty — there are two in Missouri and one in DC. You could get adventurous and see all the existing 1950 replicas in the U.S., adding in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands for a total of fifty-four. If that doesn’t fully scratch the itch, you could go hog wild and check the replicas in France and Japan off your list for a satisfying fifty-six. Find the missing DC bell (different from the one at the U.S. Treasury) to bag all fifty-seven and win the big door prize.
To help you plan your Semiquincentennial Liberty Bell quest, I’ve categorized the replicas based on their accessibility.
Catch it on tour
The Arizona Liberty Bell is the undisputed champion of America250. On February 13th, the replica will set out to visit all counties in the state, mounted inside an air-conditioned trailer-turned mobile history museum. Find it somewhere out on tour for a most excellent experience.
Hold up
The 1950 replicas are seventy six and many are showing their age. With the exception of a few nods to the OG Liberty Bell, like round bolts, Paccard produced these the same way they made all of their bells — intended to to be hung in belfries and bell towers with at least a roof over their yokes to provide some protection from the elements.
More than half have spent the bulk of their lives outside at ground level, subject to sun and wind and sleet and snow, not to mention vandals, cars and well-meaning ringers.
As a result, a number of replicas aren’t in game time shape for a yearlong celebration (looking at you, California).
Some states decided, however late in the game, that they ought to spruce up their bells. As of February 2026, the Idaho and Alabama Liberty Bells are undergoing restoration at South Carolina’s Bell Foundry Christoph. Proprietor Stan Christoph tells me both restorations will be expedited. But based on Idaho’s timeline, that could be four to six months out of commission. It would not surprise me if other states made even hastier efforts to get their bells in ship shape.
In Arkansas, history professor and fellow enthusiast Dr. Kristin Mann is leading an effort, in partnership with the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Arkansas Secretary of State’s Office to raise $45,000 to restore their replica in time for it to ring out on Semiquincentennial day.
Fat chance
North Carolina seems not to have gotten the memo. Late in 2025, a fellow bell hunter told me the bell is in storage until 2028, when the North Carolina Museum of History renovation is completed. Presumably, it will return to its previous location, in the mall area between the State Capitol and Legislature Building. You’d have to follow my lead and bug someone at the museum (remind them theirs is the only completely inaccessible bell) and see if you can sweet-talk your way into the storage unit. Good luck. God bless. God bless America. And keep me posted.
Call ahead
You can likely see the replicas in DC, Michigan, New York and Rhode Island with a bit of advanced planning.
Roll up anytime
These bells are outdoors and accessible 25/7: Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri (both at the Capital in Jackson and the Truman Library in Independence), Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, U.S. Virgin Islands, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming.
Check the Googles
These replicas are indoors (most in the state Capitol) and accessible during open hours: Connecticut, Indiana, Kentucky (outdoor, but only accessible during open hours), Massachusetts, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Vermont and Wisconsin.
Keep on truckin’
If you’ve bagged all the bells above and your Liberty Bell fever has not abated (be forewarned), you can visit nearly 100 other full-size replicas around the world (but mostly in the U.S.).
Ring out, wild bell
If you’re anywhere in the country this year, you likely won’t be more than 100 miles from a Liberty Bell. Even if you can’t peep them all, it would be worthwhile to roll up, wrap your knuckles on the bell and bask in the faint but forceful sound of liberty ringing out throughout the land and to all the inhabitants thereof.
Visit as an act of patriotism or an act of protest (and patriotism, see: Bill of Rights, Amendment I). Visit and reflect on the liberties you have and the liberties you have to fight for.
The OG Liberty Bell in my hometown (also worth seeing) is goofy and old and smaller than you imagined it — and it’s the perfect symbol of an imperfect union. A broken bell that speaks volumes. Its nearly 200 replicants around the world seek to recreate the sound and spirit of 1776 and ring out what freedom (for some) and hope of freedom (for all, see text on bell) sounded like 250 years ago. When the replicas ring, they call us to reflect and remind us of the work we have to do this year and for the next 250.