BONNERS FERRY — History made a return visit to Bonners Ferry on Tuesday, Oct. 27, as Idaho's Liberty Bell stopped at Boundary County Middle School during its statewide tour commemorating America's 250th anniversary. 

Students from schools throughout Boundary County gathered on the middle school's front lawn to see the full-size replica of the original Liberty Bell. Community members also stopped by throughout the visit, taking photographs and even getting the opportunity to ring the replica of the historic bell. 

For Boundary County Middle School Principal Mark Fisk, the visit was particularly meaningful because of the school's focus on America's upcoming 250th anniversary. 

"I think it's an exciting opportunity, especially for the middle school," Fisk said. "We had chosen a celebration of America's 250th as our theme for this year. This just fed so beautifully into that for the students and for the staff." 

Fisk said the opportunity to see the bell up close was something both students and adults could appreciate. 

"I've been a lot of places. I've never been to Philadelphia, so I've never gotten to see the actual one," Fisk said. "So, this is a great opportunity for a lot of the kids, for some of us adults as well." 

The visit also provided an opportunity to connect students with American history and the significance of the nation's founding. 

"It's like a springboard to talk about not only the bell and the significance of it, but also other things that were part of our celebration for the 250th, freedom and all of those kinds of things," Fisk said. 

Idaho's Liberty Bell was cast in 1950 as one of 55 replicas created for states and U.S. territories. The bell arrived in Idaho in May of that year and traveled throughout the state on a flatbed pickup provided by Ford Motor Co. 

Bonners Ferry was among the communities visited during that original tour, with the bell displayed downtown on June 15, 1950. 

Fisk said the return visit was particularly special because of that historical connection. 

"I'm glad that it also is a repetition of the history, in that the first time it went around the state, it stopped here at Bonners as well," Fisk said. 

He added that the school and district were privileged to host the bell and share the experience with the community. 

Since 1951, Idaho's Liberty Bell has been housed at the Idaho State Capitol in Boise. As part of the America250 commemoration, the bell underwent restoration work, including the replacement of its wooden yoke and housing. 

The restored bell began its statewide tour in Boise on Sept. 3 and is scheduled to return to the Idaho State Capitol on Oct. 31 for reinstallation. 

Tuesday's visit marked 76 years since the bell first traveled through Bonners Ferry, giving a new generation of Boundary County students and residents the opportunity to experience a piece of Idaho and American history. 

    Students and community members gather at Boundary County Middle School on Tuesday, Oct. 27, to view Idaho's Liberty Bell during its statewide tour commemorating America's 250th anniversary. The visit marked 76 years since the bell first traveled through Bonners Ferry.