Freedom Bell, American Legion, (sculpture).

Freedom Bell, American Legion, (sculpture).

Unknown, sculptor.

Patrick, Jack, architect.

International Design Associates, architectural firm.

Petit und Fritsen, founders.

Fred S. Gichner Iron Works, fabricator.

TRICON-Triangle Contractors, contractor.

Allen J. Wright Associates, engineering firm.

Freedom Bell, American Legion, (sculpture).

Cast Jan. 17, 1975. Dedicated July 22, 1981.

Bell: bronze; Support: concrete shafts.

Sculpture is a 2.1 scale replica of the Liberty bell. The support structure is a post and beam construction made with two concrete shafts.

Object -- Musical Instrument -- Bell

Allegory -- Civic -- Liberty

Outdoor Sculpture -- District of Columbia -- Washington

Administered by United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Washington, District of Columbia

Located Union Station, Massachusetts & Delaware Avenues, N.E., Columbus Plaza, Washington, District of Columbia

IAS files contain an excerpt from Jannelle Warren-Findley's Aug. 1, 1985 report for the National Park Service entitled, "A Guide to Selected Statues, Monuments and Memorials," National Capital Parks - Central, National Park Service, Washington, D.C. (RFQ 3-4-1919) which includes a brief note regarding bibliographic sources, and notes to additional information found in National Park Service files. The bell was a bicentennial gift of the American Legion. A model of the bell in on display at the American Legion Museum in Indianapolis, Indiana. The bell was authorized by Congress on October 12, 1976. It was cast outside the country because no U.S. foundry had the capacity to cast the bell. I. T. Verdin Company of Cincinnati, Ohio handled the details of the casting for the American Legion. Jack Patrick was the associate at the International Design Associates who served as architect for the piece. Allen J. Wright Associates was involved in creating the support system for the bell. The iron work was done by Fred S. Gichner Iron Works.

When completed the bell was shipped to Baltimore and then traveled around the country during 1976 on the Freedom Train. After the Bicentennial, the bell returned to Washington and was placed in National Park Service storage from 1976-1978. The clapper stayed at the American Legion building. The National Capitol Planning Commission and the Joint Committee on Landmarks did not at first approve of installing the bell at Union Station, but after lengthy discussions with the National Park Service an agreement was reached. The American Legion was also not happy with Union Station preferring a location closer to the National Mall.

National Park Service, 1985.

The information provided about this artwork was compiled as part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database, designed to provide descriptive and location information on artworks by American artists in public and private collections worldwide.

Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture, Smithsonian American Art Museum, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 970, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012

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