Changes

The concept of Liberty Square began as an expansion idea for Disneyland known as Liberty Street. Spearheaded by Walt Disney, Liberty Street was to be a road that ran parallel to Main Street USA <Ref name= "mouseplanet"/>. The new area was to be set during the era of the Revolutionary War and it would have featured colonial architecture and a cobblestone road. In fact, some designs for the street featured 13 buildings, one representing each colony of the original colonies <Ref name= "hill"> http://jimhillmedia.com/editor_in_chief1/b/jim_hill/archive/2005/03/15/563.aspx </ref>. After walking down Liberty Street, guests would arrive at Liberty Square. In the square, guests would be able to see a blacksmith shop, a glassmaker, a weaver, a print shop, Paul Revere’s silversmith shop and a cabinetmaker <ref name= "mouseplanet"> https://www.mouseplanet.com/8167/The_Liberty_Street_Story_1959 </ref>.

The real draw of Disneyland's Liberty Square however, was to be Liberty Hall (also called Independence Hall in some concept art). This colonial meeting hall was to house two major attractions. The first was to be found in The Hall of The Declaration of Independence. Here, guests would see the dramatic story of America’s struggle for independence come to life. The second attraction was to be found in The Hall of American Presidents. This attraction was to be titled [[One Nation Under God]] and it would have been a presentation of “the mighty cavalcade of American History" <ref name= "mouseplanet"/>. Also found in Liberty Square would be a recreation of the Liberty Bell and the Liberty Tree, complete with the 13 lanterns <ref name= "hill"/> .Although initially advertised as opening in 1959, Liberty Street would never reach fruition. Instead , as much of the company’s resources went ended up being used to updating update Tomorrowland <ref> http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2013/07/a-look-back-liberty-street-at-disneyland-park/ </ref>.

Unlike the many of the lands in the Magic Kingdom, Liberty Square has only had a few major changes since opening day. The first of these was the addition of the [[Richard F Irvine Riverboat]] in 1973 <ref name="dated"> http://waltdatedworld.com/id141.htm </ref>. Unfortunately, the Joe Fowler was damaged in 1980 and never returned to active duty <ref name= "dated"/>. In 1996, the Richard F. Irvine Riverboat was renamed the Liberty Belle <ref> https://www.mouseplanet.com/guide/761/Walt-Disney-World/Magic-Kingdom/Liberty-Square/Liberty-Square-Riverboat </ref>.  The next change in Liberty Square came with the closure of the Mike Fink Keel boatsBoats. The Mike Fink Keel Boats were free floating boats based on the popular Disney television show Davy Crockett. The Keel Boats allowed guests to take off from Liberty Square and circle around [[Tom Sawyer Island]]. In 1997, one of the Disneyland Mike Fink Keel Boats capsized with guests on board. After the accident, both the Disneyland and the Walt Disney World versions of the attraction were permanently closed <ref> http://waltdatedworld.bravepages.com/id184.htm </ref>. The only other changes to occur in Liberty Square have happened in The Hall of Presidents. In 1993 President Bill Clinton was added to the attraction and the show received a new narration which focused more on slavery and other issues of race relations then it had in the past <ref> http://waltdatedworld.com/id223.htm </ref>. The attraction was once again changed in 2009 with the election of Barack Obama. At this time the attraction was once more given a new narration. Another addition during the refurbishment was the inclusion of Abraham Lincoln delivering the Gettysburg Address and a montage of Presidential speeches <ref> http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/hall-of-presidents/news/27jun2009-hall-of-presidents-offically-reopens-july-4.htm </ref>.

On October 2, 2016, The only other changes to occur Muppets Present… Great Moments in American History opened in Liberty Square have happened in The Hall of Presidents. In 1993 President Bill Clinton was added to the attraction and the show received a new narration which focused more on slavery and other issues of race relations then it had in the past <refname= "parks"> httphttps://waltdatedworlddisneyparks.bravepagesdisney.go.com/id223.htm blog/2016/09/the-muppets-present-great-moments-in-american-history-debuts-october-2-at-magic-kingdom-park/ </ref>. The attraction was once again changed in 2009 with new interactive show takes place primarily above the Heritage House at various times throughout the election day. The Muppets Present... Great Moments in American History, actually consists of Barack Obamatwo different shows which are performed at different times. At this time One show features the attraction was once more given a new narration. Another addition during Muppets telling guests the refurbishment was story of the inclusion signing of Abraham Lincoln delivering the Gettysburg Address and a montage Declaration of Presidential speeches Independence, while the second show involves the midnight ride of Paul Revere <ref> http:name= "parks"//www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/hall-of-presidents/news/27jun2009-hall-of-presidents-offically-reopens-july-4.htm </ref>.

'''[[The Hall of Presidents]]-''' This show allows guests to see America grow through the eyes of its 43 44 Presidents. In the finale of the show all 43 44 presidents will appear on stage together.

'''[[Liberty Tree Tavern]]'''-Located next to the [[Diamond Horseshoe]], the Liberty Tree Tavern is a table service restaurant specializing in American cuisine.

'''[[Columbia Harbour House]]'''- Located across from the [[Haunted Mansion]], the Columbia Harbour House is a quick service restaurant that sells fish, shrimp, chicken and sandwiches.

*In the 1970's a daily ceremony was held in Liberty Square called "The Sons and Daughters of Liberty." . The ceremony involved a fife and drum corps marching with a Cast Member in Revolutionary-era costuming<ref> http://allears.net/ae/issue394.htm </ref>.

*The replica of the Liberty Bell found in Walt Disney World's Liberty Square is the only one in existence made from the same authentic was cast used for the original in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. One same mold as the replica real Liberty Bell. The cast was createdfor Walt Disney World in Annecy-le Vieux, France by the mold taken from the original was destroyedPaccard Fonderie<ref> http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2010/07/let-freedom-ring-on-independence-day/ </ref>.

* If guests look closely at the guard house on the Liberty Square Bridge, they can see a register featuring the names of other travelers who have entered the square<ref> http://www.wdwradio.com/online-shop/audio-guide-4-liberty-square/ </ref>.

*The Ye Old Christmas Shoppe in Liberty Square Christmas Shop in the Magic Kingdom is designed to look like three separate shops with the walls opened between them. They are supposed to be owned by three different colonial families - a German family, a woodcarver's family, and a musician's family<ref> http://www.wdwradio.com/2007/09/liberty-square-trivia/ </ref>.

*The live oak that serves as the centerpiece of Liberty Square is more than 130 years old, and was found on the southern end of the Walt Disney World property. In order to move the 38-ton tree, 2-inch holes were drilled through the trunk, then fitted with steel dowel pins. Once transplanted, the pins were removed and replaced with sections of Oak Hardwood. With careful observation, the plugs can still be seen today<ref> http://www.disneyhistoryinstitute.com/2009/11/liberty-tree-storyonly-god-can-make.html </ref>. * The rocks that guests see after crossing the bridge to enter Liberty Square were quarried from a location 6 miles from where George Washington crossed the Delaware River <ref> Realityland: true-life adventures at Walt Disney World. David Koenig - Bonaventure Press - 2007 </ref>.