Bicentennial Bell prepped for storage, awaits new home [photos]
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Ironworker Kevin Dukes guides the Bicentennial Bell into a crate where it will be stored until a new home is constructed for it. (Emma Lee/for NewsWorks)
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The 130-foot bell tower at Third and Chestnut streets stands empty after the Bicentennial Bell was removed Thursday morning. (Emma Lee/for NewsWorks)
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A small crowd gathers on Third Street to watch the removal of the Bicentennial Bell from its home at Third and Chestnut streets, where the bell rang out for many years at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. (Emma Lee/for NewsWorks)
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The Bicentennial Bell, is lowered into a crate for storage. The bell will returned to the Independence National Historical Park when a new display is completed. (Emma Lee/for NewsWorks)
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<p>Ironworker Michael Regan secures the Bicentennial Bell before it is lifted into a box. The bell will remain in the National Historical Park's museum storage until a new display is completed. (Emma Lee/for NewsWorks)</p>
The Bicentennial Bell was removed from its Old City perch early Thursday as winds picked up around Philadelphia.
The 12,446-pound bell was removed from the tower at Third at Chestnut streets, and the clapper was removed and wrapped for temporary storage.
The National Historic Park will keep the bell in storage until the new home is ready. NewsWorks photographer Emma Lee was on hand as the bell was prepped for storage.
The bell was cast in 1976 for the nation’s 200th birthday, and was made by the same company that produced the original Liberty Bell. Queen Elizabeth II was at the Philadelphia Independence Visitor Center July 6, 1976 for the Bicentennial Bell dedication ceremony.