A replica of one of the country’s most famous symbols was on display at the state capitol building this week. A replica of the Liberty Bell cast out of the same mould as the original and featuring a yoke made from the last living Liberty tree made a stop in Des Moines. The bell was on display at an event where area school students planted a tree to honor Iowa veterans. Jeff Meyer told the students about the history of the bell. He says it was cast in the same mold and same foundry in England as the original Liberty Bell. Meyer also told the students about how the colonists met under trees to discuss their plans for the new country. And he says those one of those “liberty trees” is a part of this bell. He says the wooden yoke that holds the bell came from the last living Liberty tree, which died in 199 and was 600 years old. It was a tulip poplar growing in Annapolis, Maryland. He says this is the only Liberty Bell that’s allowed to travel around the United States. It’s the first time the bell has visited Iowa. After the tree planting ceremony, the students all got to line up and take a turn at ringing the bell.
