Hall tower rings out again

At dusk on Saturday, the Centennial Bell that hangs in the Independence Hall tower chimed for the first time in 18 months, filling the air with a clear, crisp sound that will mark every hour of every day.

About 100 bystanders gathered to watch the unveiling of the Philadelphia landmark.

"Here we are in the figurative shadow of our founders," Cynthia MacLeod, superintendent of Independence National Historical Park, said as she welcomed the crowd.

She described the history of Independence Hall, from the signing of the Declaration of Independence to the ratification of the Constitution. "Doesn't it look sublime?" she said of the newly renovated tower and clock.

Ellie Slomine, a naturalized citizen who is also director of visitor services at the Independence Hall Visitor Center, was tapped to relight the tower.

She joined National Park Service Ranger Mary Town to restart the clock, which triggered the ringing of the bell.

Mayor Nutter, who cut the project's official ribbon with the help of a group of children, lauded the work for helping to save a national treasure.

Also joining in the event were Democratic U.S. Reps. Chakah Fattah and Bob Brady, who praised the use of $4.4 million in federal stimulus money to renovate the clock.

The work, which began in July 2010, repaired significant deterioration and decay of the tower exterior and structural framing. It preserved the historical integrity of the steeple, which dates to 1828, when the city hired Greek Revivalist architect William Strickland to rebuild the original wooden one; the new steeple at the time also got a new clock, by Isaiah Lukens, and a new bell, by John Wilbank.

Making a guest appearance Saturday, Thomas Jefferson also praised the repair work. "You've improved the building since my day," said Jefferson, played by actor Steven Edenbo. "It's unrecognizable to me. And I thank you for that."