History rings true at Melbourne's Liberty Bell Museum (and you can join the Ding Dong Club)

Want to ring in Independence Day in true red, white and blue style, with the next best thing to a trip to Philadelphia and a visit to that iconic symbol of freedom?

You just might find it in downtown Melbourne, tucked away in an old water tower. That's where the Liberty Bell Museum encircles guests with local and U.S. history — and at this year-round salute to America, you're even allowed to hit the replica of the "real" Liberty Bell (more on that in a minute!).

There are hidden historic treats throughout the donation-funded, volunteer-run museum, and stories behind all its offerings, said Jay Freeland, Honor America president and board member.

"One would be the history of how this place was founded — Honor America and the whole story behind that," Freeland said of the patriotic, non-partisan and nonprofit organization which operates the venue.

'The people who had the original vision for pulling together this organization and having museums like ours; that was impressive to me when my family first came here in 1999. We're now the last Honor America chapter in the country. And having an actual replica of the Liberty Bell from the foundry that cast the original in our little museum in Florida? That's still amazing to me."

On July 4, the museum will be open before and after the city's holiday parade, which starts at 10 a.m. at the museum, 1601 Oak St.

With the help of Rabbi Sanford Olshanksy, a museum board member, docent and Melbourne resident who teaches Jewish history at the University of Central Florida, here's a rundown on things to know before you go.

1. Yes, the museum's bell is a full-size replica of the original Liberty Bell in Philadelphia. All guests are invited to ring it, with a rubber mallet, and get a bell-ringer card proclaiming the holder a member of the Ding Dong Club. Fun fact: The bell was made in 1976 by the British company that made the original. Brevard school children raised the money to buy it.

2. The main building housing the museum, a circular structure with no windows, was the City of Melbourne water tower until 1985. In October 1985, Honor America moved to its current location, and that portion of the museum is called the "Rotunda of American History."

3. The museum offers a scavenger hunt for children and adults. Anyone who completes the scavenger hunt gets a prize.

4. The museum has a large collection of U.S. military uniforms and hats. Children are welcome to try on the uniforms.

More: Fourth of July 2024: Here's where to celebrate across Brevard

5. New to the museum: They're participating in the Museums of Brevard (MOB) Passport Program. Children who visit 17 MOB museums and have their passports stamped will get certificates at a Brevard Public Schools board meeting and be photographed for publicity.

7. There's a diverse technology collection here, from early pocket cameras and pocket calculators to early mobile phones, fax machines and personal computers. And speaking of technology: For his Eagle Scout project, Joel Freeland, 17, is adding QR codes to 15 different museum displays viewed as most important. Example: the display including pieces of barbed wire from the Berlin Wall. The codes will offer a hands-on opportunity to give guest young and old a new way to read up on the displays. That enhancement is coming soon.

8. Local history abounds here, too, including relics from frontier forts and photos of the World War II naval airfields that are now Melbourne Orlando International Airport and Patrick Space Force Base.

9. The museum's 9-11 display includes an actual I-beam from one of the Twin Towers and actual rescuer gear in a display case.

10. Admission is free. The museum is open every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the first Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to noon. It's by appointment for tours by school groups, church groups, Scout troops, senior citizen groups, etc. Information: 321-373-2311; https://honoramerica.org/.

Britt Kennerly is education/breaking news editor at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Kennerly at 321-917-4744 or [email protected]. Twitter: @bybrittkennerly Facebook: /bybrittkennerly

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Celebrate independence year-round at Liberty Bell Museum in Melbourne