Fifty years ago on New Year’s Eve, the Liberty Bell rang figuratively loudly in the life of Kunkletown resident Frank J. Hall.

A sergeant in the Philadelphia Police force, Hall was part of a regiment that was assigned to move the Liberty Bell from Independence Hall to a new glass and steel pavilion on Market Street.

It was a planned near midnight move of the bell in order for tourists to make their first official visit of the Bicentennial year in the upcoming hours, and one of the initial celebrations in the historic city.

Instead of being a relatively quiet move, the scene resembled one more akin to a classic murder mystery or a horror movie backdrop with near freezing temperatures and a combination of rain and sleet pounding the area.

A larger than expected crowd wasn’t deterred by the setting, and the local TV stations had their crews assembled for the move. A roped passageway was formed from its prior destination to its new home. The bell would be moved on a dolly with policemen surrounding it.

Hall, 36 at the time and a 13-year veteran of the force, began to realize he was part of history.

“It was eerie in a way how everything happened,” recalled Hall. “It certainly wasn’t the ideal situation to do something like this, but I felt extremely honored.”

National treasure

Hall added, “I did experience a lot of emotions. I guess I had to pinch myself, like they say, to realize that this was real. I was part of history and helped move a national treasure.”

The mission included being aware of surroundings.

“Still, we had to be ready for anything to happen. I had to stay aware of what was around me, and not totally get caught up in the moment. I remember saying to myself that this is an important moment in my life.”

During the move, Hall recalled a series of historic flashbacks that expeditiously moved through his mind.

“I saw images of (George) Washington, (Benjamin) Franklin, (Paul) Revere,” gushed Hall. “There were the blue and buff uniforms, redcoats, and other scenes that were a slideshow of our independence.”

Consequently, Hall quickly reacted.

Being assigned in the rear of the procession, Hall asked a fellow officer to take a picture with him and the bell, and it was the last picture of the bell in Independence Hall. He later had the picture enhanced.

Hall truly engrossed himself in the moment.

“I remember running my hand around the bell and down the crack of it,” noted Hall. “I read the quotation from Leviticus of ‘Proclaim, Spread Liberty Throughout the Land’ to myself, and rubbed my hand over that and realized what that meant to everyone.

“Sometimes, it is still hard to believe that I did it. I can say that I was the last person out of Independence Hall. I had my hand on the bell when the photograph was snapped, and the smoke film from the flash bulb drifted away despite the rain.”

Along with the photograph, Hall soon began his own diary of the event. He emphasized how late actor Lee J. Cobb delivered a tribute, and how champagne was given out to the onlookers.

He added how snow soon started to fall and the annual Mummer’s Parade was canceled.

Journaling history

“I had a little notebook in my back pocket,” recollected Hall. “When I had the chance, I would jot down the events as we went along. I tried to remember as much as I could when the move was over to write down.

“Lee J. Cobb was a big actor at the time, and he made a little speech. Ironically, he died a few weeks later. It was wet, and the raindrops rolled off my cap, but it was all worth it.”

Hall compiled his notes and sent a lengthy and detailed compilation to the Philadelphia Inquirer, and the newspaper published his remembrance. In fact, Hall received a prize for his efforts.

“They gave me 76 Eisenhower dollar coins,” mused Hall. “It was in their Sunday paper’s special section. That was really neat. I always like to write, and I nearly pursued a journalism career.”

Hall began his Philadelphia career in law enforcement in 1962 and ended it in 1984. In the process, he earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Temple University attending night classes.

“Temple was known for its journalism, and I nearly went that route because I like to write,” said Hall. “But I decided to try and enhance my current career.”

Before he became a police officer, Hall worked for Food Fare, a Philadelphia-area grocery chain. He attained the status of grocery manager, but soon decided a career change was in order.

“The work was getting tough, and I couldn’t see myself staying with it,” reminisced Hall. “I decided to take the post office and police exam at the same time, and got the same score on each. It was then a matter of which one was more exciting, and the police one won out.”

Kathryn “Kit,” his wife of 70 years, also attended night class, and she received a nursing degree. The couple purchased a chalet in the 1980s, and they eventually made a permanent move into the area during the 1990s.

The couple have three children and two grandchildren. Hall, whose grandfather and father were both named Frank named one of his children Frank, and has a grandchild named Frank.

He and his wife have relished their unique beginning and their overall journey.

“We eloped,” boasted Hall. “I was 16 and she was 18. We have stayed together, and it has been a blessing.”

Aside from the Liberty Hall, Hall recounted how 1976 marked the presence of Queen Elizabeth and Pope Paul VI made appearances in the city, and how he marched in a Fourth of July parade down Broad Street. He also is proud of attending the Eagles’ 1960 NFL Championship game against the Packers and still has the $8 ticket stub.

That inclement night at Independence Hall 50 years ago is still clear. He continues to be grateful for a golden opportunity.

“I’m thankful I was fortunate to be there,” expressed Hall. “It was a stroke of luck for me.”

With the sesquicentennial on the horizon, Hall presumably would make a visit back to the landmark that impacted his life.

“Nah,” he beamed. “Been there, done that.”