North Idaho residents can get a peek at the state’s replica of the Liberty Bell this week.
It’s part of Idaho’s celebration of the United States Semiquincentennial.
State Treasurer Julie Ellsworth says the bell was given to Idaho in 1950 as part of a nationwide campaign promoting savings bonds.
“The bell has historically been on the steps of the Idaho Capitol building for the last 76 years. Every state in the union received this replica of the Liberty Bell and we decided for America250 in Idaho to send that Liberty Bell on the steps of the Idaho Capitol back to the foundry. They fixed it, you know, did a tune-up, essentially," Ellsworth said.
Now it’s mounted to the bed of a pickup truck.
The bell was featured in the America250 Independence Day celebration in Boise. Then it began its statewide tour in eastern Idaho in early September.
Now it's making its way northward.
The bell was part of the University of Idaho's homecoming weekend celebration in Moscow on Saturday.
Between now and Thursday, the bell will make a loop through six counties. It starts in Plummer on Monday morning. Community members are encouraged to meet in the parking lot next to the Gateway around 8:30 and take their turn at ringing the bell.
Ellsworth will accompany it.
“I'm doing the whole loop, all the towns up there," she said. "I look forward to seeing the children ringing the bell in Boundary County, you know, all the little outskirts, I feel that's part of my job.”
After the stop in Plummer, the bell will be driven north for midday stops, including Post Falls and Rathdrum. Then it will head to Bonner County for afternoon visits to Priest River and Sandpoint.
Tuesday's stops include Bonners Ferry, Clark Fork and Coeur d’Alene.
The bell will head east on Wednesday to Wallace and Kellogg, then south to St. Maries. Stops in small Latah County towns are on Thursday's agenda.
