By Burt Wasserman
IN THE VERY HEART of Philadelphia’s hallowed historic district, the National Liberty
Museum at 321 Chestnut St. welcomes visitors from near and far. Its overall
program breathes life and meaning into the most significant principles of American
society. Filled with stimulating tableaus, imaginative artworks and assorted
exhibition facilities, the Museum gives voice vividly to ideas and practices that are
fundamental to the ongoing life of the country. Those who’ve been there before
know what it has to offer. Those who haven’t, are in for a glorious first-time
encounter and an inevitable desire for a return visit.
The Museum employs a superb mix of illustrative displays to transmit a wide range
of concepts and informative data. Together, they touch on such themes as:
honoring heroic figures who have stood up to tyrants and dictators the whole
world over, coming from origins abroad to live in America and seeking conflict
resolution through processes of harmony and reason. Functioning in unison, they
encourage the perpetuation of individual freedom and the continuity of democratic
processes as a foundation for governmental operation.
Moving through the galleries situated on three floors, you can’t help but appreciate
the importance of our nation’s commitment to a way of life based on just laws and
moral values that support the continued pursuit of personal responsibility for all of
its citizens. Among the various items on display, one of the most soul stirring
attractions of the Museum is the Flame of Liberty. It is a sculpture in glass, 21 feet
tall, by the internationally admired artist, Dale Chihuly.
Consisting of countless fiery shapes, the overall structure is a brilliant example of a
dynamically unified complex of form in three dimensions. Alive with swirling energies
in flux, the artwork is emotionally captivating and intellectually absorbing at one
and the same moment. To get close to the work and feel what it has to express is
to be deeply moved and inspired because the artwork is so compellingly articulate
in its own language of design. Above all, the sheer aesthetic integrity of the work
marks it as one of the most profoundly moving examples of art to be found
anywhere in the city. In addition, there are a number of additional outstanding
pieces by Chihuly and other respected artists who employ glass as their principal
medium of choice. Because glass is a beautiful material but also very fragile, the
Museum believes it voices characteristics that are closely paralleled to the
continued pursuit of freedom.
Another example of how brilliant artworks can bring richness and depth of feeling to
important themes treated in the Museum is a set of three compositions in oil by the
great modern master, Marc Chagall. They accompany materials on view that
elaborate the values contributed to American culture by the religious teachings of
Christianity, Islam and Judaism. In their own special way, they complement and
reinforce each other in an exceptionally distinctive and rewarding manner.
The guiding force, who first gave birth to the Museum’s existence, is Irvin Borowsky.
Born and raised in Philadelphia by immigrant parents from Poland, he has dedicated
himself to helping people free themselves from tendencies toward dehumanizing
hatred and violence. It takes place through contact with the liberating power of
creative art and profoundly informative educational experiences.
A vigorous 85-year-old gentleman, retired from the world of periodical publishing, he
devotes himself to urging others to understand and appreciate the remarkable
nature of the human make-up in both its uniqueness and its universality. He founded
the National Liberty Museum in 2000. It has flourished and prospered ever since.
Besides weekday visitation by admission fee for adults and older children, families,
educational bodies and elderhostel groups, the Museum is now open on Sundays,
free of charge on an individual basis. Children under five are always admitted free.
Hours are 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Museum is open daily from Memorial Day to
Labor Day and is closed on Mondays at other times of year.
The opportunity to acquire souvenirs, books and original artworks is available in an
on-site gift shop. The Museum also sponsors an annual auction in October of
objects fashioned in glass.
With an active and diverse program that focuses on the growth and fulfillment of
American ideals of creative productivity, cultural diversity and peaceful well-being,
the Museum is the sort of institution that would be a local source of pride if it could
be replicated in every community across the land. But until that day comes, a visit
to the one here at hand would be most worth-while indeed.