CENTRE COUNTY – Two of four commemorative Liberty Bells in Centre County were unveiled Friday as part of the celebration of the United States’ 250th birthday in 2026.
One bell was unveiled in Philipsburg on Friday afternoon and the other in Bellefonte on Friday evening.
The other two bells – one at Centre Furnace Mansion in State College and the other at Eagle Iron Works and Curtin Village in Howard – were dedicated in November.
All four bells are part of Bells Across PA, which has given artists across the state the opportunity to decorate a 3-foot-by-3-foot fiberglass bell to commemorate the Semiquincentennial – the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
The America 250 PA commission set a goal of presenting a replica of the Liberty Bell in all of the state’s 67 counties.
Philipsburg Historical Foundation sponsored the Philipsburg Liberty Bell, with local artist Pamela Etters designing the artwork. The bell depicts Philipsburg’s rich history.
Community members and local officials unveiled the Philipsburg bell at The Dead Canary, 10 N. Front St. The ceremony was originally scheduled to be held outdoors, but inclement weather forced the event inside.
The Bellefonte bell was designed by local artists Holly Foy and James Farrah. The bell depicts the area’s railroad history. It is now located outside the Bellefonte Historical Railroad Society’s headquarters at the train station in Talleyrand Park.
“These fiberglass bells may not ring, however, they are far from silent,” said Cassandra Coleman, executive director of America250PA, Pennsylvania’s commission for the statewide celebration of the nation’s semiquincentennial. “Each one tells a story about a community. Each one tells a story about creativity. And most importantly each one tells a story about local pride. We are extremely grateful to the Bellefonte Historical Railroad Society for helping bring this vision to life.”
With support from the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau and Centre County Board of Commissioners, Centre Foundation, 100+ Women Who Care Centre County and state Rep. Kerry Benninghoff, R-Bellefonte, the BHRS commissioned Foy, who “conceptualized the bell design with determination and enthusiasm,” Dan Durachko, the society’s president, said.
“Across all 67 counties and over 400 communities and counting, 250PA is truly committed to reaching every Pennsylvanian,” Coleman said. “We’ve launched over a dozen initiatives, and now we are focused on an epic calendar of events for next year.”
Geoff Rushton of StateCollege.com contributed to this report.
