>

“Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof” this is what is written on the “Liberty Bell”. The “Liberty Bell” is housed in The Liberty Bell Center, a building built to house this wonderful symbol, in Philadelphia. The Last time it was rung was in 1846, to celebrate George Washington’s Birthday.

In the Magic Kingdom, there is an Unknown Magic that is as American as the Liberty Bell itself. Many guests just walk on by it, and I have to admit I am guilty of doing this also. Because you don’t realize that what you are seeing is Magical. Of course this is true with all or many of the Unknown Magics, I write about, but today’s is “hidden” in plain sight. To get to this Unknown Magic, You need to be transported back in time, a little over 200 years. And you Magically do that by walking under the bridge between Fantasyland and Liberty Square.

The cross over into Colonial America is Magical in itself, the architecture, the layout and the details all blend together to create the feeling of being in Colonial America. Shops like Ye Old Christmas Shoppe and Restaurants and Columbia Harbour House add to the atmosphere. While details such as the Shutters on the Buildings hanging at an angle, because in Colonial times the leather straps used to support them would stretch, or the background music that is played is all period specific make it seem as if you are in the 1700’s. This is Disney at its best, immersing you into a different place and time to enjoy a Magical Experience. But you’ll miss it as many do, unless you slow down and take the time to look around, not just rush through to Frontierland.

But, the Feeling of going back in time isn’t the Unknown Magic I’m talking about, No, today’s Unknown Magic sits right in the middle of the Square. It is the Liberty Bell. Most people look at the Bell, and keep walking. They may glance at it, but they just think. “Oh, look the Liberty Bell. It goes well here.” What you are missing when you do that, is the fact that this bell, this Replica Liberty Bell, could’ve been The Liberty Bell. This Bell was actually cast from the original molds that the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia was made from (it is the only Replica to have that distinction). It was placed in Liberty Square in 1987 in recognition of the Bicentennial of the United States Constitution. The Bell is rung on Special American holidays that are significant to the American Revolution. Today for Example! There also is a court of Flags that surrounds the bell. The flags represent the thirteen original American Colonies.

The Liberty Bell isn’t the only Magical Liberty in Liberty Square. The Liberty Tree is an Unknown Magic also. The Liberty Tree is over 130 years old. This tree is representative of the tradition in Colonial America, where each town would designate a tree to symbolize their fight for independence. This is where the “Sons of Liberty” would gather. This Liberty Tree in the Magic Kingdom is decorated with thirteen lanterns (each representing one of the first colonies.) The Tree itself is a real Oak Tree that was relocated from elsewhere on Disney property before the Magic Kingdom opened in 1971. The tree has been grafted with a younger Oak that has helped to enhance its appearance.

Ben Franklin said, “Where Liberty is, there is my country.” Many people pass by these Unknown Magics that represent more than Liberty, but the United States itself. I think it is because they don’t know what they are seeing. But now, you know, as you are enjoying the Magical Experience of time travel, you can check out the Unknown Magic of Disney’s Liberties.