Hiding Liberty

The date was September 11, 1777, the British defeated George Washington’s troops at Brandywine Creek, prompting panic among the people of Philadelphia who now found themselves defenseless against British occupation.

Recognizing that the city’s bells would likely be melted down to create weapons for the British army, a group of Philadelphians devised a plan to whisk the bells (11 to be exact) out of the city, including the most famous one known then as the Pennsylvania State House Bell. Escorted by heavy guard and hidden on a hay wagon, the bells would be sent away for safekeeping in a distant settlement; they chose Allentown, (formerly Northampton Town). The bells arrived in Bethlehem on September 23rd, the following day the bells were hidden under the floor of the Zion’s Reformed Church, where they remained safe in hiding until the British left Philadelphia in June 1778. 

***Logging requirements***  No need to enter Church or Museum 

At the posted coordinates there is a large plaque with the Liberty Bell featured on top. In your log, post a photo of yourself or a photo of sign with your geocaching name on it at the plaque.

The Liberty Bell Museum is located in the basement of the church where the bell was hidden.

Virtual Rewards 3.0 - 2022-2023

This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between March 1, 2022 and March 1, 2023. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 3.0 on the Geocaching Blog.