A commonwealth-wide art project to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States of America aims to put a bell in every county in Pennsylvania.
Mercer County’s bell celebrates both the nation’s founding and the 150th anniversary of Grove City College, one of the area’s most enduring institutions. The bell is the work of area artist Glen Sanders, a Grove City Area School District art teacher who also serves as an adjunct professor of art at the College.
His canvas was a fiberglass mold supplied by America250PA for its Bells Across PA project. On it he created a star-spangled piece of art featuring images depicting Mercer County landscapes, life, and Grove City College’s Harbison Chapel.
“I enjoyed the artmaking and I hope those who view it appreciate the work and that it represents the county as a family friendly, nature loving piece of Americana,” Sanders said.
This bell was installed this week in the rotunda of the Mercer County Courthouse pending delivery in the spring to the campus of Grove City College, where it will be on display outside Carnegie Alumni Center on Broad Street.
Grove City College sponsored the Mercer County Bell in recognition of the nation’s semiquincentennial and the College’s founding in 1876.
“Grove City College is honored to support this important project as Mercer County marks the 250th anniversary of our nation’s independence. It is especially fitting for the College to play a leading role, since the ideals that have shaped our country for 250 years have also guided Grove City College for the past 150,” President Bradley J. Lingo ’00 said.
Mercer County Commissioner Ann Coleman said the county was thrilled the College is “sharing” the bell until its permanent placement on campus. “We are grateful that Grove City College stepped up as the corporate sponsor for the bell – and that America's 250th birthday coincides with GCC's 150th birthday,” she said.