Berks Liberty Bell put on display through nation’s 250th anniversary
Artifact that hung from original courthouse displayed in lobby of Berks County Center
With the Berks County Liberty Bell and a 182-year-old replica of the Declaration of Independence displayed to her right, Dr. Susan Looney read the more than 1,300-word unanimous declaration of the 13 “united states” of America.
Her 11-minute recital was delivered Thursday morning, June 30, in the lobby of the Berks County Services Center crowded by county employees and reporters.
It began with the famous preamble, continued with the lengthy enumeration of unresolved grievances with King George III, and concluded with a renunciation of the purpose of government as being to protect the unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Looney, president of Reading Area Community College, was one of the speakers at the unveiling of the public display for the Berks County Liberty Bell.
The bell was rung from the original Berks County Courthouse on July 8, 1776 — 246 years ago — to summon the people of Reading and Berks together for the first reading of the Declaration of Independence.
The county commissioners partnered with the Berks History Center (formerly the Historical Society of Berks County), and America 250PA to bring the bell to its temporary display area near the entrance to the services center, where it will be seen by thousands of people every weekday.
Berks History Center displayed the bell in the lobby of its Centre Park museum for nearly a century.
“We’re very proud at the history center of having the liberty bell as part of our collection,” said Ben Neely, executive director, who was one of the speakers. “We’ve been stewards of this bell for nearly 100 years now and we were really excited about the opportunity to have it come here.”
He said the bell encapsulates the essence of an artifact. The ink was still drying on the document when residents were summoned by the bell to the center of Reading to hear Berks County Sheriff Henry Vanderslice read the declaration.
The Pennsylvania Legislature in 2018 passed a measure creating the Pennsylvania Commission for the United States Semi-quincentennial, also known as America 250PA, to plan, encourage, develop and coordinate the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.
Monday’s Fourth of July holiday will mark the start of the four-year countdown to July 4, 2026 — the semi-quincentennial — noted Jaclyn Victor, America250PA director of partnership and engagement.
“As the cradle of democracy, Pennsylvania has the unique opportunity to showcase our commonwealth’s rich history, innovative spirit and unique contributions to the United States,” Victor said. “And while Philadelphia will inevitably garner national attention, the goal of our committee is to engage every county and every Pennsylvanian as we strive to make the semi-quincentennial the most inclusive commemoration in our commonwealth’s history.”
Along with the Berks County Liberty Bell, officials unveiled an 1840 replica of the declaration that is displayed alongside the bell. Ray and Barbara Blydenburgh of Mohrsville loaned the county their copy, which was one of 500 from a copper-engraved replica of the original.
All three Berks County commissioners — Christian Leinbach, Kevin Barnhardt and Michael Rivera — thanked Amber Vroman, Berks History museum curator, and the team of county employees led by Rex Levengood, facilities director, and Pamela Shupp, director of development, for their collaboration on the intricate process of relocating the bell.
Leinbach, who serves on the America 250PA committee and served as master of ceremonies, got choked up when he read a letter from John Adams, one of the signers of the declaration, to his wife, Abigail, shortly after the declaration of freedom was approved by the Continental Congress in Philadelphia on July 2, 1776.
“I am apt to believe it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary,” Adams wrote of the signing. “It ought to be commemorated as the date of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God almighty.”
Leinbach called on everyone to set aside their differences as another Independence Day approaches and reflect on and rediscover the simple words of the declaration.
“In the coming days, years, through the end of 2026, it is my hope that people will come to this memorial not only to read but to embrace this declaration as our charter of liberty.” he said.