BERKS COUNTY

1763: The bell was cast in Bridgewater, England and immediately transported to the colony of Pennsylvania to be hung in the Old Reading Courthouse at 5th & Penn Street

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July 8, 1776: The bell was rung to summon the citizens of Reading to hear Sheriff Henry Vanderslice read the newly adopted Declaration of Independence, which stated that the American Colonies were free and independent from British rule.

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1841: The Old Reading Courthouse was dismantled for a larger one to be built in its place. The bell was sold to St. John's Union Church in Boyertown.

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1873: The bell was retired from use because it sounded too similar to the Boyertown fire alarm bell. The town did not want to cause any further confusion or panic.

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C. 1920: The bell was purchased by former Boyertown resident, Dr. Robert M. Ludy. At the time, he was living in Atlantic City, NJ, to run his chain of hotels, Elberson-Iroquois.

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October 3, 1923: Dr. Ludy presented the bell to the Historical Society of Berks County (now the Berks History Center) to be preserved for generations to come. 

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1926: The bell traveled to Philadelphia to be exhibited in the State Building for the 150th Anniversary of the nation's founding.

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2022-2026: The Berks History Center loans the Berks County Liberty Bell to be exhibited where it is seen today in the Berks County Services Center for the 250th Anniversary of our nation's founding.

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"The bell is a symbol of the patriotism of the people of Berks County during the Revolution and the early days of the Republic, and trust that it may continue to inspire self-sacrifice and patriotism to all who may behold it." - Judge Paul N. Schaeffer, 1926.