The Liberty Bell of Buxton: A Resounding Declaration of Freedom and Resilience

Any time a new person or a new family would come to the settlement, they would ring the bell, and that would signify their freedom.

Michelle Robbins, interview, October 22, 2024

Figure 1. The Liberty Bell. Photo by Gabriela Sealy, taken at the Buxton National Historic Site & Museum, Buxton, Ontario, October 2024..

Amidst the landscape of the Buxton National Historic Site and Museum stands an enormous and powerful symbol of Buxton’s legacy—the Liberty Bell. Erected at the museum entrance, this bell, though a replica of the original housed in the South Buxton church, carries the weight of a profound tradition. It is more than metal and resonance; it is an enduring emblem of freedom. Unlike bells that mark the passage of time or summon congregants at religious sites, this bell rang with a singular, sacred purpose: to announce the arrival of those who had escaped the shackles of enslavement and reached the sanctuary of Buxton.

This tradition evokes lines from Lucille Clifton’s poem:

come celebrate

with me that every day

something has

tried to kill me

and has failed.

The Liberty Bell of Buxton was not just a sound but a declaration, a defiance, and a welcome. It announced that someone had survived, had overcome the harsh journey, and had arrived at a place where they could finally be free. Every chime carried the hopes of those who had dared to run toward the unknown, trusting that there would be land, dignity, and the possibility of a future on the other side.

The story of the Buxton Liberty Bell is a reminder that freedom is not abstract—it is something tangible, something heard, something felt. It continues to resonate through time, not just as a historical artifact but as an enduring symbol of the courage, resilience, and triumph of those who refused to accept bondage as their fate. To stand before this bell is to stand in the presence of history itself—to hear the echoes of liberation, to feel the gravity of those who fought for it, and to recognize that the pursuit of justice remains ongoing.

Buxton is more than a place; it is a promise fulfilled, a history preserved, and a legacy that continues to shape the present. To visit North Buxton is to step into a sacred space that invites reflection, reverence, and a renewed understanding of the enduring fight for freedom.

The Liberty Bell has stood as a powerful emblem of freedom for generations. Enjoy this audio clip of the research team ringing the Liberty Bell.