Alabama Bicentennial Children’s Bell

The Alabama Bicentennial Children’s Bell is a 26", 370 pound iron bell that was designed as part of the Alabama Bicentennial celebration. It was cast in Birmingham at Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark to inspire youth and children to commit themselves to their state and to making its future bright. Part of a bicentennial is about the past, but this bell is about the future and the children who will inhabit it. Across the bottom of the bell it reads Leave it Better.

The bell is installed in a bell tower in the pond near the entrance to the visitors center at Sloss Furnaces. Marshall Christie of Sloss Furnaces Metal Arts designed both the bell and the bell tower that it hangs in. The Sloss Metal Arts crew molded and poured the bell. The Medical Properties Trust, Alabama Humanities Foundation, Sloss Furnaces Foundation, the Alabama Bicentennial Commission and Childrens of Alabama provided support for the project.

References

• Swain, Sharron (December 6, 2019) "5 reasons the new Alabama Bicentennial Children’s Bell at Sloss is lit." Bham Now.