CIVIL WAR MUSEUM
of Philadelphia

Oliver St. Clair Franklin at Bells Across the Land, the National Park Service commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the April 9, 1865 surrender at Appomattox. On April 9, 2015, Oliver St. Clair Franklin, the Chair of the Board of Governors of the Civil War Museum of Philadelphia, spoke at the National Park Services’ nationwide Bells Across the Land ceremony at the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia. Chairman Franklin reminded the audience that it was our founding values of freedom, equality, liberty and union that brought us to war 150 years ago and that the work continues to define and realize the promise of these central tenets that shape our nation. Surrounded by reenactors, others in period garb, and NPS staff, Franklin symbolically “rang” the Liberty Bell.

Framed by the Liberty Bell, Oliver Franklin joined Cynthia MacLeod, Superintendent of Independence National Historical Park, at the conclusion of the four minutes of the ringing of the Centennial Bell in the tower of Independence Hall.