FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 20, 2026
Contact
Jerald Darakjy
Communications & Policy Specialist
208-332-2950
[email protected]
Boise, Idaho – The America250 in Idaho Ambassadors and all legislators are invited to join Senate President Pro Tem Kelly Anthon and Speaker Mike Moyle on the steps of the Capitol at 10:30 AM to say farewell to the Idaho Liberty Bell.
All Idahoans are invited to the steps of the Capitol Friday, January 30, 2026 at 10:30 AM
The bell will be removed on this day and prepared for shipping back to the foundry. This essential repair will allow the bell to continue to ring strong — becoming a centerpiece for Idaho’s America250 in Idaho celebrations and ceremonies. When the Bell arrives back in Idaho it will be taken on a tour of the state before it is installed back on the steps of the Capitol Building.
Restoring Idaho’s Liberty Bell renews one of the state’s most recognizable symbols of freedom and unity. It invites civic participation and connects modern Idahoans to the enduring sound of liberty first heard in 1776.
History of the Bell:
In 1950, the Paccard Foundry of France was selected by the U.S. Department of the Treasury to cast 55 full-size Liberty Bell replicas for placement at state capitols and U.S. territories as part of a national Summer Savings Bond Drive. Foundry craftsmen carefully measured every feature of the original Liberty Bell to create historically accurate replicas. Today, Paccard’s U.S. operation, Foundry Christoph in Charleston, South Carolina, continues to apply more than two centuries of expertise to the maintenance and restoration of these iconic bells, including the use of specialty trees grown in foundry nurseries to replicate the durability of the original American spruce used in the 1950s.
Idaho’s Liberty Bell replica has undergone two previous replacements of the wooden housing that supports the bell’s yoke, in 2009 and 2018. This project, overseen by the Idaho Historical Society and the Idaho Capitol Commission, includes rigging and lowering the bell from its existing structure, secure crating and shipment to the foundry, and fabrication of a new custom-fitted wooden yoke made of sapele wood with a burnt linseed oil application for long-term weather protection. The upgraded yoke will include a steel top plate to enhance structural strength and protect against water intrusion, reinforced steel plates beneath the yoke, cleaning and treatment of existing bolts and hardware with replacement as needed, new steel anchoring brackets, and final reinstallation of the bell on site. Paccard–Christoph will also provide care and maintenance guidelines to ensure long-term preservation.
The estimated timeline for completion is four to six months. This project supports Idaho’s participation in the national America250 commemoration in 2026 and ensures this iconic symbol remains preserved for future generations.
About America250 in Idaho
America250 in Idaho is the state’s official effort to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Led by a committee of ambassadors and community leaders, the initiative focuses on celebrating Idaho’s unique contributions to the American story through service, education, and community engagement.
