As the nation approaches its semi-quincentennial, “bell hunters” are crisscrossing the country to visit 1950s-era replicas of the Liberty Bell. These full-size duplicates were commissioned by the Treasury Department for a bond drive, with one gifted to every state and several territories. While the original in Philadelphia is famously cracked, these replicas were cast in France with superior metal and even featured a painted-on “faux crack.” Though some have suffered from decades of neglect or storage, states like Kansas and Alabama are currently restoring theirs for public display. Enthusiasts like Tom Campbell and teenager Zoe Murphy have turned visiting these 2,080-pound monuments into a dedicated obsession. These bells serve as a unique reminder that the spirit of independence can be found much closer to home than a trip to Pennsylvania.
