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World Peace Bell Center
Categories: Landmarks & Historical Buildings, Local Flavor [Edit]
425 York StNewport, KY 41071
(859) 581-2971
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
2 reviews for World Peace Bell Center
'Wow that's a giant bell', I thought to myself. We were headed to the Aquarium a few blocks away and found cheap and convenient parking here. But strangely enough in this area of deserted parking lots, houses and a few shops, there was this giant bell with a small building attached. There isn't really any fan-fare for it and there weren't any people walking around. So we had to go and take a look for ourselves.
I pondered the bell for a while. After a few minutes of contemplation, I thought 'It's big' and decided I should move out from under it. Still, I didn't quite grasp the significance of how this bell was formed and what it was for. Oddly, there wasn't much signage in the area, with the most notable, a plaque and statue for firefighters of Northern Kentucky.
Now most of the time I only quote cartoons and things I learn from the back of napkins, but here I'm going to quote Representative Ken Lucas from Kentucky in a speech to the House to explain the bell:
"Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the city of Newport, Kentucky, where the World Peace Bell arrived at its permanent home this weekend. At 12 feet in diameter and 12 feet in height, the bell weighs 66,000 pounds. It is the world's largest swinging bell. I also rise to recognize Wayne Carlisle for his vision, commitment, and enthusiasm, without which the World Peace Bell would not have been possible.
The World Peace Bell is a powerful symbol of freedom and peace. It was cast in Nantes, France, on December 11, 1998, the 50th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Bell has an inscription commemorating that document, as well as engravings marking the most important events of the past 1,000 years.
The World Peace Bell was first rung in Nantes on March 20, 1999, in a public ceremony, and it began a month-and-a-half-long sea voyage from France to New Orleans, where the Bell was made part of that city's July Fourth celebration. The Bell was transported by barge up the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers, making stops in 14 cities along the way. The Bell arrived at its final destination on August 1st.
The World Peace Bell will officially open on September 21, 1999, the International Day of Peace, when it will toll to observe the opening session of this year's United Nations General Assembly. On New Year's Eve 1999, the Bell will be rung once every hour and broadcast so that people in every time zone around the globe will hear the new millennium rung in by our World Peace Bell. This celebration will include leaders of church and state from around the world, as well as participants performing native rituals and wearing traditional costumes.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate the city of Newport and neighboring river cities on their successful revitalization efforts. The World Peace Bell is only one of a number of projects coming to fruition in the region. The success of these efforts is a testament to the spirit and hard work of the people of Northern Kentucky."
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The World Peace Bell in Newport was the largest, free-swinging bell in the world until 2006. It was designed and cast by a Cincinnati company, Verdin Bell Company, one of the largest bell-making companies in the world.
The bell was installed and dedicated a couple of blocks from the Levee in 1999. Its original purpose was to be rung on the International Day of Peace on January 1, 2000. It is one of twenty such peace bells around the world.
A museum is adjacent to the bell and a statue in honor of Northern Kentucky Firefighters shares the same site.
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