Committee reviews requests for Liberty Bell transport stand and trailer; $10,000 donation noted

Director Gallimore presented two funding requests to support a statewide Liberty Bell tour: a steel production/holding structure (request not to exceed $18,500) that would secure the bell while still allowing it to be rung, and a custom 14-foot trailer for transport and display (request not to exceed $23,325). Gallimore said bids from a foundry and a local fabricator were comparable and that the stand must be robust to hold the bell safely.

Gallimore stressed safety and durability: the bell itself was described as heavy (the bell was referenced as about 3,000 pounds and the steel bracket roughly 600 pounds), and lifting the bell repeatedly would be costly. Treasurer Ellsworth noted an earlier $25,000 approval that could be applied toward the Liberty Bell carriage and said her office had coordinated logistics and fundraising. Director Gallimore also reported a $10,000 private donation to help offset restoration costs.

Committee members asked whether the trailer could have later use and raised logistics questions about who would pull it, fuel and maintenance costs, and possible ITD participation in transport. Director Gallimore said the trailer could be repurposed for state transport needs or used by ITD and that the committee would continue coordinating routes and volunteers.

The transcript records detailed discussion and an invitation to motion to approve the $18,500 stand, but it does not record a completed, seconded motion and vote to appropriate the additional amounts during this session. Members discussed that some funds (a previously approved $25,000) were already available and that further fundraising and coordination with agencies (including ITD) would continue.