As the United States prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday, Pennsylvania is marking the occasion with a sweeping public art project designed to connect all 67 counties through a symbol as iconic as the celebration itself: the Liberty Bell.
The “Bells Across PA” initiative will place fiberglass Liberty Bells in every county, each uniquely designed to reflect the identity of its home, featuring local landmarks, culture, history, and natural beauty. The bells will be unveiled this summer and remain on public display into the country’s semiquincentennial year in 2026.
The Liberty Bell has long symbolized both American independence and Pennsylvania’s central role in U.S. history. The familiar image is also being added to the state’s redesigned license plates.
In Westmoreland County, artist Mandy Sirofchuck is currently working on one of the bells in her Ligonier studio. Once completed in August, the bell will be installed outside the Westmoreland Museum of American Art in Greensburg, where it’s expected to become a focal point of community pride and reflection.
A second bell is also in the works for Westmoreland County, commissioned under the theme “MORE Energy in Westmoreland: Powering our Past and Energizing our Future.” Sponsored by FirstEnergy, the bell will highlight the region’s diverse energy history, including coal, wind, solar, gas, and more. Organizers are currently seeking a local artist for the paid commission.
The statewide art installation is just one of many projects planned as Pennsylvania leads the country in commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence—an event that began right in its own backyard.
For updates or to apply as a bell artist, residents can visit the official Bells Across PA project site.
Source: CBS News