A model of the Big Ben is an object I would select to be a permanent exhibit at the museum. It happens to be one of London’s most famous landmarks which implies that people from all ethnic groups and races in London can relate it. Even tourists would be interested in viewing it from a distance given that it is not publicly accessible (London & Partners, 2016). Only UK residents can organize visits by writing to their MP in advance. The clock tower of London has five bells with the big ben acting as the hourly bell, and the other four small bells are quarter bells. The clock is the largest in the world and has survived through time. Even when the House of Commons was wrecked during World War II, the clock tower endured. The clock is renowned for its accuracy of time and is regulated using a stack of coins on a pendulum; this represents the citizen’s currency.
The Latin words under the clock are translated to mean “O Lord, keep safe our Queen Victoria the First.” Looking into the history of the big Ben, The Palace of Westminster was ruined by fire in 1834 (McKay, 2010). In the later reconstruction of the Parliament Houses, it was agreed that a clock tower would feature. There are two theories to naming the big ben. One is that it was named after Sir Benjamin Hall, who was affectionately known in the houses as the commissioner of works. Second is that it was named after Benjamin Caunt who was a famous heavyweight boxing champion. The Big Ben was used by society to nickname anything heaviest in its class. Special light illuminates above the clock face anytime parliament is in session, which means that citizens can relate to London through the national timepiece, the Big Ben (MacDonald, 2013).
References
London & Partners. (2016). Big Ben- London. Retrieved March 15, 2016, from www.visitlondon.com.
MacDonald, P. (2013). Big Ben: The Bell, the Clock and the Tower. The History Press
McKay, C. (2010). Big Ben: The Great Clock and the Bells at the Palace of Westminster. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
