Artist Lisa Short, left, and Historic Trappe Executive Director Lisa Minardi are pictured with The Liberty and Justice for All Bell on Aug. 2, 2025 in Trappe. (Photo by Dave Holsten/America250PA)
Dedication held outside Speaker's House
An art installation dedicated to celebrating the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary came to Montgomery County as a bell sculpture was unveiled in Trappe.
As part of Bells Across PA, a public art initiative taking place across Pennsylvania ahead of the U.S. semiquincentennial in 2026, the “Liberty and Justice for All” piece was installed at the Speaker’s House, 151 W. Main St.
“The Liberty and Justice for All Bell reflects the spirit of the Montgomery County community and reminds us that history is something we all have a hand in creating,” America250PA Executive Director Cassandra Coleman said in a statement.
The Liberty and Justice for All Bell is pictured on Aug. 2, 2025 at The Speaker’s House in Trappe. (Photo courtesy America250PA)Sponsored by the Daughters of the American Revolution’s Valley Forge chapter, elected officials, America250PA representatives and community leaders gathered on Aug. 2 to witness the cultural presentation showcasing the bell designed by artist Lisa Short.
Attendance included state Rep. Donna Scheuren, R-147th Dist.; state Sen. Tracy Pennycuick, R-24th Dist., and Trappe Mayor Matthew Wismer. Additional representation was noted from Christian Cassidy-Amstutz, America250PA strategic initiatives and grants manager; Deborah Stilley, of the Daughters of the American Revolution’s Valley Forge chapter; and Historic Trappe Executive Director Lisa Minardi and Historian and Consulting Curator Emily Sneff, according to a statement from America250PA.
The venture showcases collaborative efforts between artists, community members, and sponsors, according to an America 250PA spokesperson. It aims to install a bell in each of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties to “tell local stories and celebrate the people and places that helped shape America.” Bells Across PA unveilings are expected to continue through 2025, with a possibility of extending to 2026.
“Bells Across PA is our way of inspiring connection through creativity,” Coleman said. “As we prepare to mark 250 years of the American experiment, this initiative helps Pennsylvanians from every corner of the commonwealth see themselves in that story.”
The Bells Across PA initiative is ongoing, with additional bell installations planned in communities across the Commonwealth through 2025 and potentially into 2026. Each bell serves as a visual tribute to Pennsylvania’s vital role in American history and reflects the shared values, pride, and creativity of its people.
Visit america250pa.org for more information about Bells Across PA and America250PA.
