Every state has one. Even DC had one, but it went missing! In other states, theirs is often in their capital. Here in New Jersey, ours is in my hometown -- Perth Amboy. Not sure how it wound up in Perth Amboy, but maybe it had something to do with the following Fun Fact? When the colonies declared Independence in 1776, Perth Amboy and Burlington served as alternating co-capitals of the NJ colony. Let freedom ring!
Virtual Cache Requirements
Provide the cache owner with answers to 2 questions in a message (via Geocaching website or app) or e-mail (via Geocaching website):
- On one side of the replica's pedestal, find a plaque with the heading 'DEDICATED TO YOU, A FREE CITIZEN IN A FREE LAND'. How many stars are just above the line stating that this bell is one of 53 cast in France in 1950?
- On another side of the pedestal, find a plaque dedicated to World War II veterans from a European country where my grandmother was born. What is the European country?
Feel free to post a Found log (excluding your answers) as soon as you visit the site. Beware: Your Found log will be deleted within 2 days of posting if I don't receive your answers. Online logs which reveal the 2 answers will be deleted immediately.
Posting pictures with your Found log is encouraged but not required.
In the Area
Totally optional! But since you're in the area and probably found free parking, I highly recommend these nearby points of interest (POIs). A waypoint has been added for each option POI.
- City Hall Historical Marker. The white building across the circle is the oldest public building in continuous use in the U.S. It's the location where the first state (NJ, of course!) ratified the U.S. Bill of Rights and where the first African American in the U.S. voted in 1870 under the 15th Amendment.
- Earl of Perth Statue. On the lawn of City Hall, find a statue of the Earl of Perth. The city was partially named in honor of this Earl. The second half of 'Perth Amboy' comes from the Leni Lenape native peoples, who called the area Ompoge, which subsequently changed to Emboyle and then to Amboyle.
About New Jersey's Liberty Bell Replica
In 1950, the U.S. Treasury commissioned a foundry in France to cast full-size, functional Liberty Bell replicas -- one for each of the 48 states plus DC -- for a marketing promotion. Each bell would tour its state (or district) to promote the sale of savings bonds. The number of 1950 replicas grew as bells were also planned for territories like Hawaii and Alaska. By the end of 1950, each replica was permanently gifted to the state, district, or territory in which the bell toured.
The exact number of 1950 replicas commissioned by the U.S. Treasury is still disputed. Additional replicas were ordered in 1950 but not included in the count of 53, because those bells were not used for the savings bond promotional tours. Additional 1950 replicas include one for President Truman's hometown of Independence, MO and another for the U.S. Treasury Dept. (which became DC's 2nd replica on display).
The 1950 replicas included a serial number. Can you find the serial number on this NJ replica? Hint: It's between 1 and 53.
Why Made in France? The Paccard Bell Foundry in the French Alps was the only foundry in the world that could complete such a large order of 53 (or 55 or more?) replica bells in such a short period of time.
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.