In the wind-swept stretches of southern Utah, where the landscape is defined by jagged red cliffs and isolated farmland, an unexpected sight is emerging. Six miles from the center of Hurricane, a replica of the Liberty Bell now stands in the center of a plaza, flanked by a statue of George Washington astride his horse. It is a scene more characteristic of Philadelphia or Boston than the high desert of the American West.
This is Liberty Village, an ambitious philanthropic project designed to transplant the physical and ideological landmarks of the American Revolution to the Utah desert. The site is not a commercial development or a theme park, but rather a scale-model tribute to the 18th century, intended to serve as a living classroom for civic education and national history.
The project is the vision of Lex Howard, a St. George resident and former executive at the supplement company Balance of Nature. Howard’s motivation for bringing Colonial America to southern Utah stems from a childhood spent in St. Petersburg, Russia, during the immediate aftermath of the fall of the Iron Curtain. Having witnessed the societal remnants of communism firsthand, Howard says he developed an early appreciation for the uniqueness of the American system of government.
The conceptual spark for the village came after a visit to the American Village in Montevallo, Alabama, a center opened in 1999 that uses reenactments and workshops to explore the “light of liberty.” Inspired by the Alabama model, Howard sought to create a similar western outpost where the founding documents of the United States—the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights—could stand as permanent sentinels in the West.
A Blueprint for Revolutionary History
Spanning 32 acres of land owned by Balance of Nature, the project has seen significant financial backing. By July of last year, Howard had raised $32 million through philanthropic contributions, including the sale of commemorative “1776 Memorial Bricks” used to pave the 13 Colonies Plaza. Construction is currently underway to bring the site to its full scale.
At its completion, the village is planned to house roughly 30 separate structures, cupolas, and interactive areas. The architectural scope is vast, featuring replicas of some of the most significant sites in early American history, including:
- Independence Hall: The site of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
- Mount Vernon: The estate of George Washington.
- The Betsy Ross House: Where the first American flag was reportedly sewn.
- Valley Forge and Jamestown: Key military and early settlement sites.
- The Vintage North Bridge and St. John’s Church: Iconic locations of the early conflict.
Currently, the site is already hosting school and church groups. Reenactors in period-accurate colonial attire are employed to bring the 1770s to life, providing an immersive experience for visitors who are otherwise far removed from the original sites of the Revolution.
The Philosophy of ‘Citizenship as an Office’
Beyond the architecture, Liberty Village is intended to be a catalyst for renewed civic engagement. Howard has emphasized that the project is not aligned with any specific political party, stating that he despises partisanship. Instead, he views the project as a tool to inspire citizens—particularly children—to understand the mechanics of their government.
Howard argues that many Americans have grown complacent, assuming that the U.S. Form of government is common or easily replicated elsewhere. He believes that over time, citizens have ceded too much power to the state and have ceased to participate in the democratic process outside of election cycles. To Howard, citizenship is not a passive status but an “office” that requires active duty and appreciation.
Ellen Jensen, the village’s director of marketing, maintains that the project has no hidden agenda, stating that the sole desire is to bring history to life and bring people together through a shared understanding of the nation’s roots.
Project Milestones and Development
| Milestone | Detail/Status |
|---|---|
| Land Area | 32 acres in Hurricane, Utah |
| Funding Raised | $32 million (as of July 2023) |
| Planned Structures | Approximately 30 Colonial-era buildings |
| Key Target Date | Completion of Green Dragon Tavern by July 4, 2026 |
The project is currently racing toward a symbolic deadline: the 250th anniversary of the United States. The Green Dragon Tavern, one of the planned additions, is expected to be finished by July 4, 2026, to coincide with the Semiquincentennial celebrations.
As construction continues, the village will rely on further donations to complete the remaining outbuildings and play areas. The next major checkpoint for the site will be the phased opening of the remaining scale models as the 2026 anniversary approaches.
Do you believe physical replicas of history help in civic education, or is the focus shifting toward digital archives? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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