Image courtesy of the Villanova University Digital Library.

By Isabel Choi

In honor of the events and festivities that go on during National Parks Week 2023 (April 22-30), today’s blog is dedicated to Villanova’s prized historical artifact—The Liberty Bell’s Sister.  

Many people are familiar with The Liberty Bell, originally made by order of The Pennsylvania Assembly to commemorate the 50-year anniversary of William Penn’s 1701 Charter of Privileges, which rang on the tower of the Pennsylvania State House. But did you know that after it cracked, another bell, the Liberty Bell’s Sister, was created by the same company to replace it? However, at the last minute, The Pennsylvania Assembly voted to keep both (keeping the broken Liberty Bell as is.) For more historical context and information about seeing the liberty bells, check out this blog. 

Both bells were used during special occasions, including the reading of The Declaration of Independence. The Liberty Bell still resides in Philadelphia in Independent National Historical Park, so if you have some time on the weekend, you can celebrate National Parks Week by paying a visit! Other national parks in and around Philadelphia include Edgar Allan Poe’s historic site, The Alleghany Portage Railroad historic site, and Flight 93 National Memorial. Enjoy the weekend, Wildcats! 

Isabel Choi ’26 is a Communication & Marketing Assistant at Falvey Library.