Origin Of The Chapter Name
On July 8, 1776, the bell on the State House in Philadelphia tolled at the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence. A little more than a year later the British were poised to move into Philadelphia. Patriots in the city tried to remove anything useful to the British, including bells which could be melted down and recast into cannon balls. The authorities sought out German farmers who were returning home after selling their produce to transport the bells to safety . One of these teamsters was John Jacob Mickley. The final destination of the Liberty Bell was Allentown where it was hidden along with other bells under the floor of Zion's Reformed Church. When Miss Minnie Mickley, a direct descendent of John Jacob Mickley, organized this DAR chapter, the members decided on the name Liberty Bell Chapter to commemorate the first visit of the Bell to Allentown.
NSDAR Objectives
- Historic: "To perpetuate the memory and spirit of the men and women who achieved American independence."
- Educational: to carry out the injunction of Washington in his farewell address to the American people, "To promote, as an object of primary importance, institutions for the general diffusion of knowledge."
- Patriotic: To cherish, maintain, and extend the institutions of American freedom: to foster true patriotism and love of country.
National & State
- NSDAR Motto: "God, Home, and Country"
- National Theme: "Preserve the Past, Enhance the Present, Invest in the Future"
- State Theme: "Sow Seeds of Kindness, Reap Joys of Friendship"
- State Motto: "Grow in Service"
