America250PA Semiquincentennial Bell Site

Overview

Located at 620 Hamilton Street in downtown Allentown, the America250PA Semiquincentennial Bell stands as a powerful tribute to the city’s pivotal role in American history. Installed in front of the former Zion’s Reformed United Church of Christ, the site marks where the Liberty Bell was secretly hidden during the Revolutionary War.

In September 1777, as British forces advanced on Philadelphia, the Liberty Bell and other important state bells were removed to prevent their capture. Transported by wagon through Bethlehem to what was then Northampton Town (present-day Allentown), the bell was concealed beneath the floorboards of Zion’s Reformed Church. It remained hidden there for nine months before safely returning to Philadelphia in June 1778.

Today, that story is commemorated with a striking 1,500-pound bronze bell—crafted to mirror the size of the original Liberty Bell. The installation serves as a centerpiece of the Lehigh Valley’s participation in the America250PA initiative, celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026.

Visitors can explore this historic location and reflect on Allentown’s role in preserving one of the nation’s most enduring symbols of freedom. Educational programming connected to this history is also offered nearby through the Lehigh County Historical Society.