On August 25, 2019, the United States of America commemorated 400 years of history and memory of the 1619 landing of enslaved Africans. This commemoration acknowledges the Transatlantic Slave Trade, and the appalling tragedies involved in the history of humanity. It was not only the barbarism, but the terms and magnitude of slavery and the slave trade made it a crime against humanity. The remembrance was celebrated with the National “Bell Ringing” ceremonies that took place throughout the Nation. These ceremonies were designed to be a remembrance of the tragedy and suffering of slavery, of the countless lives lost, and a time for healing.
There are three National Bell in the United States: the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, is a symbol of American Independence, the Justice Bell in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, which was conceived to promote the cause of women’s suffrage during the 1920s, and The Freedom Bell at Arlington Cemetery in Virginia, created to honor the Armed Forces past, present, and future. The bell ringing on April 9, 1865 at Appomattox, Virginia, announced General Robert E. Lee’s surrender, marking the end of the American Civil War and of slavery in the United States.
The Underground Railroad is part of America’s history and memory, and is related to the causes for which the national “Freedom Bell” symbolism was conceived. In 2018 an opportunity was presented in Paterson, when Overlook Park at the Great Falls was being redone for the first time since it was established in 1964. A historic bronze bell that was installed at the park on a large concrete base in the 1970s was being retired. Through the efforts of Jimmy Richardson on behalf of the Huntoon Van Rensalier Underground Railroad Foundation, a proposal was made to the City of Paterson for the bell to take on a new role in a new location – to serve as Paterson’s Freedom Bell installed permanently on the sacred Huntoon and Van Rensalier Underground Railroad Historic Site at 125 Broadway. A supporting resolution was prepared and presented by the Paterson Historic Preservation Commission to the Mayor and to the Paterson Municipal Council with the request. Mayor Andre Sayegh and the Council enthusiastically supported and approved the idea of the reinstallation in March 2022. The Paterson Parking Authority and the Foundation created a solid base upon which the bell was installed by the City of Paterson Department of Public Works. It was installed in time for the first bell ringing ceremony that took place in commemoration of site being designated onto the National Network to Freedom on March 29, 2022.
The Freedom Bell is symbolic of Paterson’s community - a fusion of many diverse elements that strengthen it when brought together, and give it a more resonant and beautiful sound than from just one of the elements alone. If any one element is removed, it weakens the composition and sound. The Freedom Bell’s significance reflects our shared American narrative and provides visual and auditable reminder that inspires conversation and reverence.
The Freedom Bell and its cast iron stand will be restored during 2024 in time for the upcoming national Juneteenth celebrations.
The Paterson UGRR Freedom Bell History and Its Origin
Paterson’s Freedom Bell was fabricated at the Jones Foundry of Troy, NY. The company was founded in 1852 by Eber Jones and James Harvey Hitchcock. The foundry was previously called the Troy Bell Foundry, but the name was change to Jones & Co. after the death of Eber Jones. The trademark on the bell itself reads “The Troy Bell Foundry / Jones & Company, Troy NY” together with the date the bell was cast. The foundry closed in 1887 unable to compete with the Meenely Bell Foundry also in Troy, NY. There are more than twenty bells designed by the Meneely Bell Company in Paterson from 1872 until 1940 for various venues, including at Paterson`s City Hall, erected in 1894. According to a foundry historic record, The Paterson Freedom Bell was cast by Jones & Company for a unknown Paterson entity in 1871, and it is yet unknown where it was first housed. The Freedom Bell is dated 1871, and its 850Lbs weight was stamped on the patent cast iron rotary yoke. The 28-inch diameter bell was cast in bronze. The bell is supported by the 1855 patented cast iron yoke and stand having a width of 35 inches and a depth of 24 inches.
