Robert A. Taft Memorial
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The Robert A. Taft Memorial and Carillon is a carillon in Washington, D.C. dedicated as a memorial to U.S. Senator Robert Alphonso Taft, son of President William Howard Taft.
The memorial is located north of the Capitol, on Constitution Avenue between New Jersey Avenue and First Street, N.W. Designed by architect Douglas W. Orr, the memorial consists of a Tennessee marble tower and a Template:Convert bronze statue of Senator Taft sculpted by Wheeler Williams. The shaft of the tower measures Template:Convert high, Template:Convert deep, and Template:Convert wide.
Above the statue is inscribed, "This Memorial to Robert A. Taft, presented by the people to the Congress of the United States, stands as a tribute to the honesty, indomitable courage, and high principles of free government symbolized by his life." The base of the memorial measures 55 by Template:Convert and stands approximately Template:Convert high. Jets of water flow into a basin that rings the base.
The twenty-seven bells in the upper part of the tower were cast in the Paccard Foundry in Annecy-le-Vieux, France. The largest, or bourdon bell, weighs 7 tons (6350 kg). At the dedication ceremony on April 14, 1959, former President Herbert Hoover stated, "When these great bells ring out, it will be a summons to integrity and courage." The large central bell strikes on the hour, while the smaller fixed bells chime on the quarter-hour. By resolution of Congress, they play "The Star-Spangled Banner" at 2 p.m. on the Fourth of July.[1] The Robert A. Taft Memorial is currently serviced by Christoph Paccard based in Charleston, South Carolina.
Construction of the memorial was authorized by S. Con. Res. Template:Replace,[2] which was passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives in July 1955. It was funded by popular subscription from every state in the nation. More than a million dollars were collected.
Engraving
"This memorial to Robert A. Taft, presented by the people to the Congress of the United States, stands as a tribute to the honesty, indomitable courage, and high principles of free government symbolized by his life."
"If we wish to make democracy permanent in this country, let us abide by the fundamental principles laid down in the Constitution. Let us see that the state is the servant of its people, and that the people are not the servants of the state."
Engagements
The first and only known engagement to take place at the Robert A. Taft Memorial and Carillon occurred on September 4th 2016 by a gentleman named Anthony. He proposed to his now wife Nora, with his brother Marc and sister-in-law Jessica to witness, and assist in the process of getting Nora to the site of the engagement. Jessica nervously was in charge of transporting the engagement ring that day.
In order for Anthony to get Nora to the engagement destination without being suspicious, the party began the morning browsing through nearby Eastern Market for breakfast, coffee, and shopping. They continued on from Eastern Market in the direction of the United States Capitol building to “sight-see”
Anthony had originally planned to propose at the Summerhouse of the United State Capitol, as this was a place of previous romantic dates of the couple. However, construction was ongoing that day with access to the summer house closed. As the party approached the summer house, Anthony realized he had to change plans. He quickly scoured the landscape and saw the Rober A. Taft Memorial and Carillon across the street. He had decided to direct his party toward the Memorial and Carillon, as Nora would never suspect this to be the place she would be asked to spend the rest of her life with Anthony at.
As they approached the Memorial, Anthony placed his hand behind his back in the position as if to receive a baton in a race, where Jessica passed the engagement ring to Anthony. Marc sensing it was about to happen, cleverly pretended to receive a phone call. Marc and Jess gave the soon to be engaged couple some space.
It was at the base of the steps of the Robert A. Taft Memorial and Carillon where Anthony dropped to one knee and popped the question. Tourists also visiting the Memorial clapped, and one onlooker could be heard saying, “Did he really just propose here?”
Immediately after the proposal, the party decided to celebrate. Anthony splurged and ordered an Uber Black to the Hamilton Restaurant and music venue. Marc and Jess treated the newly engaged couple to champagne and sushi.
The couple lives happily ever after and occasionally visit the site with their children to retell their tale.
See also
References
- The Robert A. Taft Memorial and Carillon, Architect of the Capitol
- April 14, 1959: Taft Bell Tower Dedicated, United States Senate Historical Minutes
- photo of engraving of south facade
- Specific
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ 69 Stat B23: Robert A. Taft Memorial Bell Tower
Template:Coord Template:Washington DC landmarks Template:Public art in Washington, D.C.
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- 1959 establishments in Washington, D.C.
- 1959 sculptures
- Bell towers in the United States
- Bronze sculptures in Washington, D.C.
- Buildings and structures completed in 1959
- Carillons
- Monuments and memorials in Washington, D.C.
- Capitol Hill
- Outdoor sculptures in Washington, D.C.
- Towers completed in 1959
- Towers in Washington, D.C.
- United States Capitol grounds