Scott Fais, Florida On A Tankful
Inside a dried up water tank in Melbourne, you'll find American Pride flows free.
"It was filled with water. The water was brought in through the hole in the skylight,” said curator Peter Diaz.
Welcome to the Liberty Bell Memorial Museum in Melbourne.
It's here where freedom rings, thanks in part to the museum's namesake.
"It is a replica of the original Liberty Bell sent to Philadelphia,” said Diaz.
The scales of justice weigh in at 2,080 pounds. Its clapper alone is 300 pounds.
While the large replica is the star attraction, executive Director Virginia LaMasters is quick to point out Liberty Bells come in all shapes and sizes.
"A lamp, in the shape of the bell,” she said. "A wine decanter. When the thing was to have on the coffee table a cigarette holder and lighter, we have that."
Not to mention the candle holder, and don't forget the shower head. But this fortress of freedom has other exhibits.
From vintage photos of Patrick Air Force Base to retired currency and the medals of war heroes to the models of the aircraft they flew in, the Liberty Bell Museum is a living legacy to the defenders of freedom inside and out.
"One of the things we have them do is before they leave is ring the liberty bell and in essence, they can go back and tell their friends and neighbors that they actually ran the Liberty Bell," Diaz said.
For more travel adventures with Scott Fais, go to Central Florida On Demand, Digital Cable Channel 300. Select Entertainment/Travel and then scroll over to Florida on a Tankful.
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What:
Liberty Bell Memorial Museum
Where:
Under the water tower in Melbourne. Brevard County
Hours:
Tuesday - Friday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday - 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sunday and Monday - CLOSED
Address:
1601 Oak Street
Melbourne, FL 32902-1776
(Located under the Melbourne water tower)
Phone:
(321) 727-1776
E-mail:
HonorAmerica@att.net
Cost:
Free; donations appreciated
Latitude: 28.084664883470285
Longitude: -80.61477899551392
Parking Fee:
Free parking lot under the watertower
Web site:
http://home.att.net/%7EhonorAmerica/libertybell/index.htm
Directions from Orlando Area:
Expect a 1 hour, 30 minute drive
From your part of Central Florida, you’re going to want to get to I-95. For those in the Orlando area, you may want to access the 408 East and then switch to the 417 headed south.
Others will just jump on the Beach Line headed east. Both are toll roads. While folks living south in the Osceola County area may just want to jump on 192 east.
Many folks living west of the coast will need to get onto 95 south.
If using the 408 East:
Take S.R. 408 east towards Titusville.
Transfer onto the S.R. 417 headed south. The exit should be exit 18B. Signs will read toward Int'l Airport.
Merge onto S.R. 417 south, also known as the Central Florida Greeneway. You’ll be here for 5.9 miles.
Transfer to the S.R. 528, also known as the Bee Line and Beachline Expressway. Use exit 26. Signs should read toward Cocoa / Kennedy Space Center.
Merge onto S.R. 528 east. Expect one final toll plaza with a cost of $1.25. You’ll stay on the Beach Line (S.R. 528) east for 25 miles.
When Using Interstate 95 South:
Merge onto Interstate 95 south via exit 42A. Signs will point you towards Miami. Stay on 95 south for 24.7 miles.
Jump off I-95 south at U.S. 192, exit 180. Follow the signs towards West Melbourne / Melbourne.
Turn left onto U.S. 192 east. You’ll go through several traffic lights for 5.6 miles.
Keep your eyes out. Turn left onto Oak Street. The sign is not very big.
End at 1601 Oak St. Use the white water tower to point you in the right direction.