Join the Petaluma Museum Association July 4th on the front steps of the Petaluma Historical Library & Museum at 10:30 a.m. to hear the story of America’s independence and the story of the Korbel bell. Boy Scout Troop 9 will start with the Color Guard Flag Ceremony, Mayor Glass with read the proclamation and we’ll end with everyone ringing the bell at 11 a.m. While the bell ringing is a nationwide event, in Petaluma the tradition was begun in 1962 by Helen Putnam, who invited the neighbors over to ring the bell at her home on the corner of B and Fair Streets. She served lemonade and cookies. Mrs. Putnam was a long-time local teach and principal, the city’s mayor for 13 years, and a county supervisor. Prior to being owned by Mrs. Putnam, the bell, called the “Liberty Bell,” was used to alert workers to fire, accidents and other emergencies at the Korbel Lumber Company in West Sonoma County. After the death of Mrs. Putnam, the bell was donated by her son to the Petaluma Museum, who elected to follow the Fourth of July tradition, including the lemonade and cookies after the Ceremony in the Garden Court. The Petaluma Historical Library and Museum is located at 20 Fourth Street. Please phone 707-778-4398 or visit: "http://www.PetalumaMuseum.com" for more information.